This episode of Biography, which first aired in 1963, provides viewers with a history of Cuba’s Fidel Castro. The film features historical Cuban footage dating back to 1933, including a number of shots of Fulgencio Batista and Fidel Castro, as well as still images of a young Fidel. The film opens with scenes from Havana in 1961 when Castro addresses a massive crowd, declaring Cuba a socialist republic. Mike Wallace (01:35) begins the story in Havana during the 1920s (01:52), which featured mob violence and a strong U.S. presence in the harbor: U.S. warships anchor in Havana’s bay (02:35) and U.S. sailors go ashore to enjoy the life of Cuba’s capital city. Production of sugar cane (03:05) is the nation’s biggest industry, and in 1926, Fidel is born on a sugar cane plantation. At that time, Gerardo Machado (03:26) rules Cuba. In 1933, a general strike in Havana (03:40) for higher wages turns into a demonstration against Machado’s dictatorship. Havana is looted, and a group of soldiers stage a revolt (04:40) as Machado flees the country. The soldiers are led by Fulgencio Batista (04:46), who installs Dr. Ramon Martin (05:27) as president. Batista is the real power in Cuba, installing and removing presidents at will, and he sends his political enemies to the Isle of Pines (06:05). The Cuban government polices its citizens, constantly trying to arrest any threat to Batista’s rule (06:22). Batista accumulates considerable wealth (06:30) then decides to be president. People wait in lines to vote in the election. Batista celebrates his win (07:20). Meanwhile, a young Fidel emerges as a dominant athlete and orator. Fidel enters law school (08:20) and travels to Bogota (08:30) as student to protest George Marshall. Riots erupt in Bogota’s streets after the death of Columbia’s liberal party leader (08:43). In 1952, Fulgencio seizes power with the help of the Cuban military (09:07). Batista rules for the next six years, frequently boasting of his U.S. support and his ability to keep communists from taking over. Batista presides over military exercises—planes fly in formation (09:38). His iron rule leads to an increase in opposition, and demonstrations against his regime break out (10:14). The police attack protesters, and many of the imprisoned protesters are defended by Fidel. On 26 July 1953, Fidel Castro leads an attack on a Cuban base (11:00); his men are captured and many are tortured and killed (11:07). Fidel goes to prison but is freed after 22 months (11:31); he then goes to the U.S. to raise money and spread the anti-Batista message. In 1956, Fidel sneaks into Cuba and lives in rural and mountainous areas of the country with his troops. Castro leads his band of rebels (12:15), setting up schools in the rural communities and training new recruits in the use of firearms (12:48). The film shows footage of the rebels living and training in the bush, including shots of Fidel Castro, his little brother Raul, and the Argentine doctor Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Fidel and his men launch hit and run attacks, prompting Batista to respond with excessive military force. Castro meets with American reporters (14:04) in his secret mountain location to explain his stance against Batista’s rule. Batista’s army and police round up Cubans in retaliatory measures (14:18); funerals of those killed (14:40) become symbols of anger and hatred for the Batista regime. In 1959, Batista flees to the Dominican Republic, and Castro takes control. Castro tours country (15:37) on his way to Havana. People crowd the streets to cheer on Castro and his men. At a rally at Camp Columbia, Castro lays out his vision for Cuba (17:00). Batista forces are tried for war crimes (17:50), and most are sentenced to mass executions (18:17). Anti-American demonstrations spring up (18:27). Cuban peasants work on state-owned collective farms. Castro speaks to large crowds of Cubans (19:13) to maintain his image as he confiscates foreign capital/industries and moves Cuba into the communist orbit. People begin to go hungry (19:42). Fidel’s forces train a militia (20:11) to seek out opposition. Cuban exiles invade Cuba at the infamous Bay of Pigs (20:50), and Castro repels the U.S.-backed invaders (21:35). The Cuban exiles are captured and imprisoned. Castro celebrates the victory and proclaims Cuba a socialist republic (22:12). The Soviet Union builds military missile bases in Cuba (22:45), leading to a U.S. naval blockade (22:48). Kennedy addresses the crisis (23:00), and the Soviets back down. Fidel Castro is fully in the communist orbit now and greets Soviet leaders (23:40). The narrator says Fidel Castro has betrayed the Cuban revolution.

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