Life of Fidel Castro through films

The world has just marked the end of an era.

Fidel Castro

, Cuba’s iconic communist revolutionary, has died at the age of 90. The legendary strongman was known to have had led a life riddled with struggles and controversies, and even managed to pull through several assassination plots. Often photographed in shaggy beard, sporting a patrol cap and smoking a cigar, his gritty persona was equally influential and endearing. While tearful scenes continue to fill the streets of the Caribbean islands and the internet overflows with prayers, tributes and reflections from leaders across the global, we take you through a few films that document the curious life of Castro...

Fidel: The Untold Story

- 2001

This documentary by Estela Bravo puts together vignettes of 40 years of Cuban Revolution, staring

Fidel

Castro himself. The film also features interviews with a host of legendary personalities like Nelson Mandela, Gabriel García Márquez, Ted Turner, Alice Walker, Phillip Agee and Muhammad Ali.

Fidel - 2002

Directed by David Attwood, this mini television series essays the Cuban revolution and political career of Fidel Castro. The lead roles of the film are enacted by Víctor Huggo Martin, Honorato Magaloni, Gael García Bernal, Patricia Velásquez, Cecilia Suárez and Maurice Compte.

Comandante

- 2003

In this political documentary, the revolutionary icon was interviewed by the director of the film Oliver Stone on various topics in a time-frame of three days. The movie also features Juanita Vera.

Looking for Fidel

- 2004

A sequel to Comandante, this film particularly documents the 2003 crackdown on dissidents in Cuba as well as the execution of three men who hijacked a ferry to the US. Apart from Fidel, this time Oliver also interviews other political leaders in the movie.

638 Ways to Kill Castro

- 2006

Featuring Wayne Smith, Enrique Encinosa, Enrique Ovares, Fabian Escalante, Antonio Veciana and a host of other names, this Dollan Cannell documentary mainly sheds light on the alleged multiple attempts by the Central Intelligence Agency to assassinate the Cuban leader. The story also focuses on the country's political evolution.