Pinochet's Last Stand

A story that needs to be told
Generally, I shy away from docudramas. If nothing else, they're a little too easily challengable. But when a friend reminded me that 9/11 is not only THE 9/11 but also the date of the Chilean coup in which Augusto Pinchet took over, I felt it about time that I see this fine film.

At the beginning, as is often the case with a docudrama, the film reminds you that it's based on fact, but some characters may be made up. Okay, I'll buy that.

Then the screen shows some of the atrocities of which Pinochet was accused: 3,000 dead and 30,000 tortured. The script added in a few places that about 1,200 disappeared too. (The activist with the most prominent role in the cast, Nicole Prouilly, had a sister who was among the 1,200).

Then, onto the story: General Pinochet is visiting UK for back surgery. Activists from UK's Amnesty International office, having tried unsuccessfully to have Pinochet arrested in the past, try again. They appeal to Home Secretary Jack...

Would I Want to Watch it Again?
This is a historical recounting of Augusto Pinochet's last trip abroad (to Great Britain), where he was placed under house arrest for a year and a half while being considered for extradition to Spain to stand trial for war crimes.

Expatriate Chileans are just itching for the man code-named "the gentleman" to arrive in the United Kingdom so they can have him detained by the court. When he does, they get their wish.

One thing that stands in the way of turning him over is that Britain did not adopt laws against torture on foreign soil until 1988. Any torture committed before then cannot be considered.

While the British Chileans explore every judical loophole to have Pinochet account for his crimes, the former dictator's lawyers mount a professional defense, and pressure on the home secretary to release him is intense. That includes pressure from the United States, Tony Blair, and the Vatican.

Into the mix comes a visit from Lady Thatcher,...

Complete garbage
This movie is complete garbage. Pionchet, his wife and Margaret Thatcher were all portrayed as buffoonish cartoon characters. Those trying to get Pinochet extradited were portrayed as lofty-minded, conscious-driven individuals. It's like Greek dramas where characters either wore a happy face or sad face.

Why anyone wouldn't try making a remotely credible docudrama with believable characters is beyond me. The makers were spoon-feeding their views to the audience as if the facts just weren't enough.

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