Watch American Experience: American Comandante

American Experience: American Comandante is a documentary film released in 2015 that tells the story of William Alexander Morgan. Morgan was an unlikely revolutionary who left a small town in Ohio to fight alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution in the late 1950s. The film explores how Morgan became one of the few Americans to join Castro's rebellion, and how his story became a part of the tangled history between the United States and Cuba.

The film features interviews with historians, experts on Cuba, and Morgan's family and friends. The documentary also includes archival footage and photographs, providing a window into the tumultuous events of the revolution. The narration is provided by actor Oliver Platt, and the film is based on a book by author David Grann.

The film opens with Morgan's childhood in rural Ohio, where he was inspired by stories of heroism and adventure. Morgan dropped out of high school and joined the army during World War II, where he saw combat in Europe. After the war, Morgan returned to Ohio and became involved in politics, advocating for civil rights and economic equality.

Morgan's political activism eventually led him to Cuba, where he became enamored with the revolutionary spirit of Fidel Castro and his band of guerillas. Morgan joined the revolution and quickly became one of Castro's most trusted advisors. The film explores Morgan's role in the revolution and his interactions with Castro, including their famous conversation about the United States.

As the revolution succeeded and Cuba became a socialist state, Morgan's life became more complicated. The film explores Morgan's struggles with his own beliefs and the shifting political landscape in Cuba. Morgan's American citizenship became a complicating factor, and he was eventually captured and jailed by the Cuban government. The film explores the intriguing question of whether Morgan was a true believer in Castro's revolution or whether he was simply caught up in the thrill of adventure.

American Experience: American Comandante is a compelling portrait of a man who defied expectations and became a part of one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. The film explores not only Morgan's life but also the larger context of the Cuban Revolution and its impact on U.S.-Cuba relations. The film offers a multifaceted look at the complex history between these two nations, and it sheds light on the many uncertainties and mysteries of this tumultuous period.

Overall, American Experience: American Comandante is an engaging and informative documentary that offers a fresh perspective on the Cuban Revolution. The film provides a nuanced view of William Alexander Morgan and his motivations for becoming a revolutionary. It also sheds light on the complex political and social factors that fueled the revolution and transformed Cuba into a socialist state. For anyone interested in the history of Cuba or the dynamics of U.S.-Cuba relations, this documentary is a must-see.

American Experience: American Comandante is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.