The Battle of Chile: Part I

The first part in a trilogy of films documenting the revolution against the government of Allende. I can't say I was aware of the events in this documentary, South-America is not a continent often covered here in Belgium, so from that angle the documentary was certainly pretty informative.

When Allende seizes power, he does so with a minority vote. His efforts to reform the country are met with great resistance, so much in fact that foreign countries mingle in the Chilean affairs when he tries to nationalize industries. This first part documents the rising unrest and the tilt to violence.

There are a few too many street interviews, other than that it's a pretty dry but clear and factual documentary, that relies on actual footage rather than talking heads. I wasn't bored, but it is little more than a history lesson with a shocker ending. I'm not too sure how it earned its status, but it's decent.