The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Released Oct 31, 2003

1h 14m

Documentary

List

98%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

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.

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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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Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Compelling and immediate.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 2, 2004

Full Review

Geoff Pevere

Toronto Star

Fascinating, informative and chilling.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 2, 2004

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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

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Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

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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

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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

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Kim Bartley

Director

Donnacha O'Briain

Director

Hugo Chavez

Self

David Power

Producer

Bartley O'Briain

Photographer

Ángel Hernández Zoido

Film Editor

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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
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