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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Play trailer Poster for The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Released Oct 31, 2003 1h 14m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In April 2002, the democratically elected Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, faces a coup d'état by an American-backed opposition party. The two-day coup fails to topple Chávez, but the tumultuous event proves to be great dramatic material for two Irish filmmakers who happen to be making a documentary about Chavez as the coup erupts. They capture footage of the massive opposition and pro-Chavez crowds and analyze how Venezuelan TV manipulated images for propaganda purposes.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

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Critics Consensus

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is as persuasive and engrossing as it is unapologetically biased.

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Critics Reviews

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Geoff Pevere Toronto Star Fascinating, informative and chilling. Rated: 4/5 Apr 2, 2004 Full Review Mary Brennan Seattle Times A gripping, nearly perfect documentary, chronicling a heart-stopping rise, fall and triumphant reversal in the space of its 74-minute running time. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 27, 2004 Full Review Howard Shapiro Philadelphia Inquirer Everything's real -- the shouting, the dissonance, the worry. Rated: 3/4 Feb 12, 2004 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 4/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Ethan Alter NYC Film Critic Rated: 4/5 Mar 5, 2005 Full Review Jay Antani Los Angeles Alternative Revolution... is not just a portrait of a fascinating, paradoxical leader but of a vibrant people and culture long-hidden by our own media. Rated: 4/5 Sep 30, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Whatever came afterwards, there's no denying the drama of this documentary. It is biased, it fails to explain the full context to what was going on but it at least shows you another side to the narrative. Hasn't aged well though has it haha Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member An excellent inside look of a very important historic event. A man deposed from power, left the sanctity of his nation's constitution to determine his destiny. And that, well-captured on camera. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A thrilling documentary by Irish film makers Donnacha O'Brien and Kim Bartley, who originally went to Venezuela to make a documentary about the Socialist leader and instead ended up filming the failed military coup against him. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Importante e perspicaz documentário sobre a perigosa manipulação feita pela mídia oficial, alimentada, no caso, pelas elites e potências capitalistas. E mesmo que os eventos retratados datem de 2002/2003, o longa, de uma certa forma, continua bastante atual, haja vista a universalidade dessa manipulação e as próprias calamidades midiáticas recém-ocorridas na própria Venezuela. E concordando ou não com a política de Hugo Chávez, deve-se admitir o caráter malicioso e anti-democrático das estratégias tomadas pelo grupo de oposição ao finado presidente - e é com certa satisfação, aliás, que vemos a massa popular voltando-se contra ações tão desonestas. A oposição e o debate devem existir, mas com respeito, ética e decência. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Spell-binding and very eye-opening. It shows the role and influence of media, self-promoting, powerful big business, America's role in international affairs, as well as the fact that at the end of all things, the power belongs to the people. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Thrilling despite at times being a shameless hagiography for Chavez. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

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Movie Info

Synopsis In April 2002, the democratically elected Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, faces a coup d'état by an American-backed opposition party. The two-day coup fails to topple Chávez, but the tumultuous event proves to be great dramatic material for two Irish filmmakers who happen to be making a documentary about Chavez as the coup erupts. They capture footage of the massive opposition and pro-Chavez crowds and analyze how Venezuelan TV manipulated images for propaganda purposes.
Director
Kim Bartley, Donnacha O'Briain
Producer
David Power
Distributor
Vitagraph Films
Production Co
BBC
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2003, Original
Box Office (Gross USA)
$85.7K
Runtime
1h 14m