DVD Cuban Story

3 Star

Robin Hood and Fidel Castro together at last! Victor Pahlen’s overlooked and long forgotten documentary about the Cuban revolution finally makes it to DVD. It’s an intriguing cinematic curio – and a solid if dogmatic historical document.

"Made in the twilight of Errol Flynn’s career, this documentary has been ignored for decades, but is certainly worth seeking out."

Presenting a potted history of the Cuban revolution, director Victor Pahlen and narrator Errol Flynn cycle through some of the conflict’s major events, involving Fidel Castro’s rebels struggling to overthrow the oppressive Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista.

Starting by depicting the effects of Batista’s regime on the people of Cuba, we are shown the poverty and misery caused by his oppressive government. The focus then shifts to a rebellion organised by Fidel Castro, a military tactician recently released from prison.

Castro’s revolution is swift and brutal. After several skirmishes in the jungles of Cuba, and a decisive victory in Santa Clara led by Che Guevara, Castro’s forces overthrow Batista and his triumph earns him the admiration of the Cuban people. In the aftermath, members of Batista’s regime are put on public trial, many are publicly executed…

Errol Flynn, celluloid icon and Hollywood’s original ‘bad boy’, introduces Cuban Story with an almost surreal diatribe against Batista and his dictatorship. His po-faced and awkward delivery has the air of forced opinion for the purposes of propaganda (and hey, it may have been) and his diminished screen presence is a far cry from his swashbuckling heyday. Cuban Story was Flynn’s penultimate production and has been collecting dust in the archives since its screening at the 1959 Moscow Film Festival.

His portrayal as a journalist here is an odd way to view the screen legend, and many who stumble across this obscure production will likely be confused as to the actor’s true intentions. His vitriol for Batista and his admiration of Castro is, at times, cringe worthy, as is a sequence in which he proudly displays a gift from Castro, wryly hinting that its design should become the next national emblem. Thankfully, those responsible for this DVD, Cuban Story’s first home entertainment release, have slotted in a brief interview with writer/director Victor Pahlen’s daughter that sheds some light on the motivations behind the film and the friendship between her father and Flynn. She explains how the pair frequently enjoyed the Cuban nightlife, particularly the casinos (which are lovingly observed in the film), and the idea for shooting the film likely emerged from their mutual love of hedonism. Flynn fares much better as a narrator, his dulcet tones guiding us through the events shot by himself and Pahlen.

One of two films produced by Flynn about Castro’s revolution, the other being a much maligned and Castro endorsed film called Cuban Rebel Girls, Cuban Story is a unique look at the conflict through the eyes of Pahlen and the Hollywood star, who shot the film themselves as the events unfolded. It’s curiously pro Castro, especially considering that Flynn himself narrowly escaped the country with his life shortly after the film’s production, having renounced his love of Fidel’s revolution and incurred the wrath of the rebel leader.

Despite its didactic nature, Cuban Story has some striking imagery and wonderfully shot sequences of the conflict.

Despite its didactic nature, Cuban Story has some striking imagery and wonderfully shot sequences of the conflict. The early stages depicting impoverished civilians and police brutality, leading to rioting in the streets and emerging pockets of rebellion. Flynn and Pahlen were right there amidst the gunfire, and it shows – the grim reality of the people’s misery and the ferocity and catharsis of the riots are all captured with a tangible sense of realism, and the footage offers a unique perspective on a well documented conflict.

The main skirmishes of the revolution are only briefly captured, however – skirted over in favour of lavish, extended sequences of Castro’s forces proudly marching through the streets. These displays are impressive to watch – the parade of Santa Carla and the final victory celebrations easily proving the equal of anything shot by Riefenstahl. In fact, it’s the legendary German actress/director that springs to mind when trying to classify such an obscure little production as Cuban Story – it far too often skirts the edges of blatant propaganda, from the bias coverage of the post-conflict tribunals to the camera and narrators worship of Castro himself.

It’s off-putting but doesn’t distract from the obvious skill and bravery of the filmmakers, who are bold enough, at times, to offer a darker vision of Castro’s victory. One sequence shows the public execution and has Flynn narrate every minute detail up to and including the man’s shocking death – it’s the films most powerful and haunting moment, and in complete contrast with the admittedly awe inspiring fanfare of Castro’s marches.

If the film has a key failing, it’s the complete ignorance of Che Guevara and his actions during the conflict. After the personal focus of The Motorcycle Diaries and the epic sweep of Che Parts 1 & 2, it seems a shame to see a documentary set during the period in which the iconic revolutionary hardly features. This is Castro’s film and he is as much lauded by Flynn and Pahlen as he is by the thousands of Cubans flooding the streets in his honour.

Made in the twilight of Errol Flynn’s career, this documentary has been ignored for decades, but is certainly worth seeking out. Taken as a pro Castro propaganda production, it jars, but the gall of Flynn and Pahlen taking cameras into the thick of the conflict is admirable.