A highly informative and detailed account on the military coup that led to the deposition of socialist Chilean president Salvador Allende and culminating in his death on
September 11, 1973. Most specifically, the documentary presents the final hours of Allende's life, from the minute the coup was launched with the military acting on order of their
chief in command General Augusto Pinochet - who was appointed to such position by Allende yet he betrayed his commander in chief.
The background about why Chile suffered this coup backed by U. S. government and the whole conflict inside the presidential palace where the government was forming a resistance against the military and their attacks, everything is presented throught the optic of people who were part (directly or indirectly) of the events and covering both sides of the issue, from military personel who supported the new regime and two American officials who were tied to the events to close aids, a driver, a medical doctor and some family members of Allende who stood next to him at the palace and faced the danger with him. One story better than the other, plenty of revelations for those who know little the coup in Chile and despite its summarized way it does not disappoint. I was thrilled and saddened through the whole thing, and some anedoctes are told in a dark yet amusing way - such as one of Allende's comrades who rescued the man outside of window view when the president was about to fire against the soldiers and Allende was scared for a brief moment because he thought the military had entered the building, he didn't see who was pushing him behind.
Obvious that "The Battle of Chile" series of documentary is the most complete documentary on the topic (some clips are presented here, specially the attacks on the presidential palace), but this one provides great insights that were either unavailable at the time (late 1970's) and new characters to the coup scenario whose stories are very important and well told here. A highly commendable work. 9/10.
The background about why Chile suffered this coup backed by U. S. government and the whole conflict inside the presidential palace where the government was forming a resistance against the military and their attacks, everything is presented throught the optic of people who were part (directly or indirectly) of the events and covering both sides of the issue, from military personel who supported the new regime and two American officials who were tied to the events to close aids, a driver, a medical doctor and some family members of Allende who stood next to him at the palace and faced the danger with him. One story better than the other, plenty of revelations for those who know little the coup in Chile and despite its summarized way it does not disappoint. I was thrilled and saddened through the whole thing, and some anedoctes are told in a dark yet amusing way - such as one of Allende's comrades who rescued the man outside of window view when the president was about to fire against the soldiers and Allende was scared for a brief moment because he thought the military had entered the building, he didn't see who was pushing him behind.
Obvious that "The Battle of Chile" series of documentary is the most complete documentary on the topic (some clips are presented here, specially the attacks on the presidential palace), but this one provides great insights that were either unavailable at the time (late 1970's) and new characters to the coup scenario whose stories are very important and well told here. A highly commendable work. 9/10.
