The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

The Motorcycle Diaries (original title: Diarios de motocicleta) is a 2004 biographical drama directed by Walter Salles. It chronicles the true story of Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s transformative motorcycle trip across South America in 1952, long before he became a revolutionary icon. Based on Guevara’s own memoir and that of his friend Alberto Granado, the film is both a coming-of-age journey and a deeply political statement wrapped in a poetic road movie.

Detailed Summary

The Journey Begins: Argentina to Chile

We’re introduced to Ernesto Guevara (Gael García Bernal), a 23-year-old medical student, and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna), a 29-year-old biochemist. The pair set out from Buenos Aires on a beat-up Norton 500 motorcycle, affectionately nicknamed La Poderosa (“The Mighty One”). Their goal? To see the continent and “make love to every woman in South America” (as Alberto jokingly puts it). The tone starts light-hearted, full of youthful ambition and road-trip banter.

Through Chile and the Realities of Poverty

As they travel through Chile, the tone gradually shifts. Mechanical breakdowns leave them hitchhiking, and encounters with poor miners, displaced peasants, and indigenous people slowly strip away their romantic notions. Ernesto, in particular, becomes increasingly disturbed by the inequality and injustice they witness.

Peru and the Awakening of Che

Arriving in Peru, they visit the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu, where Ernesto wonders how a once-great civilization was brought low by colonization. They also volunteer at a leper colony in San Pablo, where Ernesto insists on treating the patients with dignity—refusing to wear gloves, much to the initial dismay of the staff. Here, his empathy deepens, and his actions speak louder than any political rhetoric. The scenes at the leper colony are pivotal in shaping his later revolutionary ethos.

The Letter and the River Crossing

As they prepare to leave, the lepers and staff organize a birthday party for Ernesto. That night, Ernesto gives a heartfelt speech where he speaks for the first time of a united Latin America—not as fragmented nations, but as a single oppressed people. His decision to swim across the Amazon River in the middle of the night, from the staff side to the lepers’ side, becomes a powerful visual metaphor for his ideological transformation.

Movie Ending

The film ends not with fanfare but with a soft, contemplative tone. Ernesto and Alberto part ways in Caracas, Venezuela. Alberto stays to pursue his medical career, while Ernesto continues on alone. Voice-over narration informs us that this was a defining moment for Ernesto Guevara, who would later become the revolutionary icon known as Che.

In the final frames, we see black-and-white footage of the real Alberto Granado, who reflects on the journey and the man Che would become. The film fades out with the knowledge that Guevara’s path took him toward activism, guerrilla warfare, and eventually his death in Bolivia in 1967. It’s a powerful, understated ending that resonates long after the credits roll.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Motorcycle Diaries does not have any post-credits scenes. However, as the credits roll, audiences are treated to real-life photographs and footage of the people and places visited, adding a documentary-like poignancy to the dramatized events.

Type of Movie

This is a biographical drama, with elements of a road movie, coming-of-age story, and political awakening. It’s introspective and emotionally charged, blending personal narrative with broader social commentary.

Cast

• Gael García Bernal as Ernesto Guevara
• Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto Granado
• Mercedes Morán as Celia de la Serna (Ernesto’s mother)
• Jean Pierre Noher as Ernesto Guevara Lynch (Ernesto’s father)
• Mía Maestro as Chichina Ferreyra (Ernesto’s girlfriend)
• Gustavo Bueno as Dr. Bresciani

Film Music and Composer

The haunting and evocative score was composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, known for his work on films like Brokeback Mountain and Babel. His blend of Latin American folk elements with emotional acoustic guitar themes beautifully mirrors the inner journey of the characters.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed on location across multiple South American countries to reflect the actual route:

• Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia
• Chile: Atacama Desert
• Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, San Pablo leper colony (filmed near Iquitos)
• Colombia and Venezuela: Used for final scenes

These locations are more than backdrops—they are characters in the film. The breathtaking landscapes, from the Andes to the Amazon, emphasize the vastness and diversity of Latin America, a crucial element in Ernesto’s ideological transformation.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award Winner: Best Original Song – “Al Otro Lado del Río” by Jorge Drexler
• Academy Award Nomination: Best Adapted Screenplay
• BAFTA Winner: Best Film Not in the English Language
• Cannes Film Festival: Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
• Golden Globe Nominee: Best Foreign Language Film

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Gael García Bernal studied medical techniques and spent time with doctors to portray Guevara accurately.
• Rodrigo de la Serna is actually a second cousin of the real Ernesto Guevara.
• The cast and crew faced real hardships—filming in remote jungles, freezing mountain ranges, and altitudes above 4,000 meters.
• Walter Salles intentionally filmed chronologically to mirror the actors’ emotional and physical journey.
• The Norton 500 motorcycle broke down constantly during filming, much like it did in real life. Some scenes were adapted due to mechanical failures.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on two books:

1. “The Motorcycle Diaries” by Ernesto Guevara – His real-life travel journal, edited and published posthumously.
2. “Traveling with Che Guevara” by Alberto Granado – A companion memoir offering more insight into the trip from Alberto’s perspective.

While the film sticks closely to Guevara’s diary, it focuses less on politics and more on human empathy and social awareness. It aims to portray the making of a revolutionary, not the ideology he would later adopt.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No major alternate endings are known, but some scenes exploring Ernesto’s relationship with Chichina, his upper-class girlfriend, were trimmed for pacing. A more extended goodbye scene between Ernesto and Alberto was filmed but cut to preserve the film’s emotional subtlety.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Compared to the original diary, the film places greater emphasis on visual symbolism and interpersonal moments. Guevara’s political commentary is toned down to make the film more accessible, focusing instead on his personal awakening rather than his later Marxist ideology.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Ernesto treating lepers without gloves
• The silent goodbye between Ernesto and Alberto at the airport
• The river crossing in the Amazon
• The campfire discussions about injustice and identity
• Visiting Machu Picchu and questioning Latin American destiny

Iconic Quotes

• “Let the world change you… and you can change the world.”
• “Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought.”
• “We are looking at the divide between those who have and those who don’t.”
• “What do we leave behind when we cross a frontier? Each moment seems split in two: melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The actual Alberto Granado appears at the end in real footage, offering a final emotional punch.
• A brief shot shows Ernesto writing in his notebook—these are quotes taken directly from his published diary.
• The names and locations of real patients at the leper colony were preserved out of respect.

Trivia

• The film was produced by Robert Redford and his company, Wildwood Enterprises.
• Gael García Bernal previously portrayed Che Guevara in Fidel (2002).
• It was a box office success for a foreign-language indie film, grossing over $57 million worldwide.
• The motorcycle used in the film is a 1952 Norton 500, restored specifically for the production.

Why Watch?

Watch The Motorcycle Diaries if you’re interested in:

• Powerful human stories set against grand landscapes
• The origins of political thought and idealism
• Latin American history, culture, and social issues
• Character-driven storytelling with emotional depth
• Gael García Bernal’s standout performance

This is a film that stirs the soul and prompts self-reflection, leaving you with a sense of both melancholy and motivation.

Director’s Other Movies

• Central Station (1998)
• Dark Water (2005)
• On the Road (2012)
• Linha de Passe (2008)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Into the Wild (2007)
• Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
• Roma (2018)
• The Way (2010)
• Before Sunrise (1995)
• Che (2008)