Che Guevara: The Last Companions chronicles the fascinating journey of the six loyal guerrilla fighters fleeing Bolivia after Che’s capture and death while being pursued by 4,000 soldiers. It is the culmination of 20 years of work by director Christophe Réveille, who weaves together archival footage, animation, and interviews with both the surviving guerrillas and the authorities who pursued them. Tracking these people down and convincing them to speak on camera must have been a feat in itself.
Vincent Lindon narrates the documentary from the director’s perspective. His instantly recognizable voice and nuanced delivery are a perfect match for the material. The film opens with Che’s death and the early stages of his companions’ escape. Réveille then briefly steps back to explore the survivors’ backstories, shedding light on their reasons for joining Che’s cause and how they became his closest confidants before returning to the story of the escape.
Réveille’s film will likely captivate documentary and history buffs. It feels almost inevitable that this thrilling story will eventually be adapted into a narrative feature. In the hands of a capable director, it could become an even more effective way of bringing their journey to a wider audience.
