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Carlos

Play trailer Poster for Carlos 2010 2h 45m Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Young Venezuelan Marxist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (Edgar Ramírez) is recruited by the leader of a Palestinian terrorist organization (Christoph Bach) to perform several jobs in Europe in the early 1970s, culminating in the audacious kidnapping of several OPEC oil ministers. From that small-scale beginning, he becomes an infamous international terrorist for hire, known in the media as Carlos the Jackal, who performs violent acts across the globe for a wide variety of nations and organizations.
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Carlos

Carlos

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Critics Consensus

Despite its hefty running time, Carlos moves along briskly, thanks to an engaging story, exotic locales, and a breakout performance by Edgar Ramirez.

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Critics Reviews

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Christopher Kelly Dallas Morning News Carlos deserves mention alongside the greatest suspense thrillers ever made. Rated: 5/5 Jan 7, 2011 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader It manages to deliver a steady stream of action thrills even as it reconsiders the international terrorism of the 1960s and '70s for lessons important today. Dec 3, 2010 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times A terrifying portrait of an egomaniac who demands absolute obedience, and craves it even more when his power and relevance are drained away. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 2, 2010 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film Edgar Ramirez plays Carlos Ther Jackal and was the only one who could do so considering the multilingual skills needed for the role... Mar 8, 2023 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog You may not like this whoring, girlfriend-stealing, cop-killing autodidact, but he's far too relatably, recognizably human to hate. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 10, 2022 Full Review Mattie Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) While it owes a great debt to The Godfather (a film to which Assayas tips his hat), Carlos stands tall as its own grand achievement on a rare and staggering scale. Jun 7, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B At the beginning Carlos is beloved and practically worshipping his own body but by the end he's a bloated loser abandoned by his fellow revolutionaries and his family. Basically its about both the intoxicating power and, ultimately, the dead end of believing your own hype. It goes without saying but if you can see the miniseries version that would be the best. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Gareth v A fasinating biopic of one of the most dangerous and terrifying men of the 20th century. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Na początku nawet ciekawy, ale z czasem coraz bardziej wieje nudą Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member At the beginning Carlos is beloved and practically worshipping his own body but by the end he's a bloated loser abandoned by his fellow revolutionaries and his family. Basically its about both the intoxicating power and, ultimately, the dead end of believing your own hype. It goes without saying but if you can see the miniseries version that would be the best. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Edgar Ramirez is superb as Carlos, but i urge everyone to watch the full uncut version for the best experience! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Outstanding film about infamous terrorist Carlos the Jackal. I was curious to see it because I'd read a biography about him. Authentic performances throughout. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Carlos

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Cast & Crew

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Olivier Assayas

Director

Edgar Ramírez

Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, "Carlos"

Alexander Scheer

Johannes Weinrich

Nora Waldstätten

Magdalena Kopp

Ahmad Kaabour

Wadie Haddad

Christoph Bach

Hans-Joachim Klein "Angie"
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Carlos

(L-R) Edgar Ramirez as Carlos the Jackal and Martha Higarida as Ampara in "Carlos." (L-R Foreground) Badih Abou as Cheikh Ahmed Chakra Zaki Yamani and Edgar Ramirez as Carlos the Jackal in "Carlos." Edgar Ramirez as Carlos the Jackal in "Carlos." (Right) Edgar Ramirez as Carlos the Jackal in "Carlos." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Young Venezuelan Marxist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (Edgar Ramírez) is recruited by the leader of a Palestinian terrorist organization (Christoph Bach) to perform several jobs in Europe in the early 1970s, culminating in the audacious kidnapping of several OPEC oil ministers. From that small-scale beginning, he becomes an infamous international terrorist for hire, known in the media as Carlos the Jackal, who performs violent acts across the globe for a wide variety of nations and organizations.
Director
Olivier Assayas
Producer
Daniel Leconte
Screenwriter
Olivier Assayas, Dan Franck
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Egoli Tossell Film, Film en Stock
Genre
Drama, Biography
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 15, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$145.1K
Runtime
2h 45m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)