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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (2003)

98%
100%
75%
N/A
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98 %
Reviews Counted: 48 Fresh: 47  Rotten:1 Average Rating: 7.9/10
 
Consensus: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is as persuasive and engrossing as it is unapologetically biased.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 74 mins

Synopsis: "Don't be poisoned by their lies," says Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in the last line of THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, referring to the way that the media corrupts the truth for the purpose of political persuasion. And thus the immediacy of this documentary--which consists of... "Don't be poisoned by their lies," says Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in the last line of THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, referring to the way that the media corrupts the truth for the purpose of political persuasion. And thus the immediacy of this documentary--which consists of fast-moving footage captured during a two-day period in April 2002 when Chavez was kidnapped from the presidential palace in Caracas and the media announced a successful coup--serves simply as a good example of media manipulation. Using television news clips, the film shows how the privately owned Venezuelan media attacks Chavez, comparing him to Fidel Castro and accusing him of mental instability. Washington chimes in, accusing Chavez of being in cahoots with Columbian narco-terrorists. But the documentary also establishes Chavez's position as the people's president. He put in place a democratic constitution and promised to redistribute the nation's significant wealth--Venezuela is the world's fourth largest exporter of oil--to benefit the poor, who represent 80 percent of the population. And from there, the media reports against him sound like cards being played in the oil game. The Irish filmmakers, Kim Bartley and Donnacha O'Brian, were inside the palace making a routine documentary about Chavez when the coup began. Meanwhile, a million Chavez supporters gathered in the streets outside demanding that their leader be restored. Within 48 hours, their pleas were answered and Chavez was president again. THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED offers a fascinating inside perspective on both Chavez's popularity and the way that media can bastardize the truth for political gain. [More]

Genre: Education/General Interest

Director: Donnacha O'Brian, Kim Bartley

Reviews

 
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02/09/06
Time Out
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07/22/08
Scott Foundas
Variety
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4/5

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12/06/05
Film Threat
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07/21/05
Houston Chronicle
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4/5

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03/05/05
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic
N/R

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03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Nation
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4/5

Revolution... is not just a portrait of a fascinating, paradoxical leader but of a vibrant people and culture long-hidden by our own media.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/30/04
Jay Antani
Los Angeles Alternative
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4/5

Compelling and immediate.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/02/04
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
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4.5/5

A thrilling, expertly assembled argument against regime change.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/01/04
Steve Schneider
Orlando Weekly
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N/A

The big story here is neither the coup, nor the countercoup, but the spread of constitutional values to the people of Venezuela.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/04
Martin Scribbs
Low IQ Canadian
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N/A

A remarkable example of the power of film to capture unfolding historic events.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/16/04
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
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3/4

An eye-opener that focuses on world-shaking events and makes you feel like you are there.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/15/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press
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3.5/4

A rough-edged work of journalism that is as gripping as a thriller.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/08/04
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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4/5

Fascinating, informative and chilling.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/02/04
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
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B

It gives us a sense of Venezuela's political and social climate in April 2002, and in that regard it is most fascinating.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/07/04
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com
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3.5/4

A tense, rapid-paced political drama.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/28/04
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
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3.5/4

A gripping, nearly perfect documentary, chronicling a heart-stopping rise, fall and triumphant reversal in the space of its 74-minute running time.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/27/04
Mary Brennan
Seattle Times
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3/4

Everything's real -- the shouting, the dissonance, the worry.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/12/04
Howard Shapiro
Philadelphia Inquirer
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2.5/4

Does at least make you want to find out more about Venezuelan politics -- as well as U.S. foreign policy regarding the country, so on that score it succeeds.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/06/04
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
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3/4

Stands as our best chance to understand what happened in Caracas, even if the filmmakers' pro-Chavez stance should send you to alternate sources for the larger picture.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/06/04
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
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Related Forums

On video ? DVD ? In theaters ?
by: sethness 9/29/04

REEL_REVIEWER
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED and no 1 in the Bush camp will b promoting this?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 5/23/04

REEL_REVIEWER
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED and no 1 in the Bush camp will b promoting this?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 5/23/04

REEL_REVIEWER
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED and no 1 in the Bush camp will b promoting this?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 5/23/04

REEL_REVIEWER
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED and no 1 in the Bush camp will b promoting this?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 5/23/04

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