First off. I had never really heard of this Carlos guy. But I think I have seen quite a few characters loosely based on his persona. So I started to see trailers promising this epic story about the true events of a terrorist legend spanning decades in Cinemascope. And I was thinking I should watch this. This looks promising. I didn't really expect it to be awesome. But it did look interesting.But the film didn't open in theaters here. And while it was waiting for a DVD or release I heard that there's two versions of this. Both a 3 hour compilation and a three-part 5+hr miniseries. Now, I am in a mindset that when there's several versions I want to experience the directors cut first. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it's the longer one. Often it is. But there are quite a few cases where Directors have preferred their theatrical cuts and only did longer cuts as Special Editions. Greatest examples here being James Camerons works with Aliens, Terminator 2, and the likes. And here in Sweden too, there's a common practice where the filmmakers have to do longer TV-edits in order to secure extra funding. Most of those times, the Theatrical Cut would be the Directors Cut. Well, in the case of Carlos, it wasn't. The 5hr version is the directors cut. So I tried waiting to see it the way it was intended. It never came. So now. 4 years later. I finally got a copy of the whole thing and over the course of two nights, I plowed through it.Part One, first night:Here you get the origin of this multinational antihero as he's starting out as a veteran of revolutionary wars and fights his way into the business of international terrorism for hire. And for me, this was the best part. It shows his talent for this gig. And also how haphazardly the operations can be slapped together. They say that beggars can't be choosers and sometimes you just don't have enough trustworthy or talented coworkers available, so the bar is lowered somewhat to fill up the roles that the operation needs. Again. This first part showed a lot of promise and almost made you root for this womanizing borderline-alcoholic that has no problems bombing civilians to make a point. And it ended with the crew on a bus going to do their biggest gig yet. Quite a cliffhanger.Part Two and Three, second night: Well, the plan sort of fell apart and Carlos is set on a downward spiral of lesser successes throughout the later parts. And, unfortunately, the quality of the film kind of followed. It became an increasingly tangled mess of a bloating cast and muddy motivations. I have very little recollection of what happened during the latter 2.5 hours. The only part I remember sticking out was where they repeatedly mention the location of Ulm. That made me giggle as I tried to recollect the full name of Johann Gambolputty. Eventually it ended and I was more exhausted than anything.Overall:Though I will say this. The costumes, the setting and make-up where all terrific. The lead did his damnedest and had no reservations on camera. Technically, the camera-work was a bit too close and shaky at times but mostly well done. Also, the sound was convincing and the music fit for the most part. Where the problem lies is in the script. Which needed shedding quite a few plot-threads. And it makes me curious how much of the fluff was kept for the 3hr cut. It'll probably take me quite a while before I watch that one, as I want to rid myself of this one just to make the judgment fairer. In conclusion. The whole piece was too bloated for me. Buffs of terrorism history will probably enjoy it more.

Carlos the Jackal does way to much to be something that its not. A film more about the story then the entertainment. The long running time (2h: 45m) gives you the feeling that, like with any long running film, that it will be an absolute masterpiece or a boring film that drags on forever. This film was centered right in the middle. Its depiction of the greatest terrorist to ever lived shows glimpses of a genius masterpiece, but with such long intervals between great scenes it makes it a struggle to hold complete attention till the end. Keeping attention till the very end comes with no reward, expecting an exciting ending that makes the nearly three-hour movie worthwhile never comes. Although Edgar Ramirez was a picture perfect Carlos and gave one of the performances of his career, in which he deserved his Golden Globe nominations. If you're interested in the story rather then the entertainment, then you will enjoy this movie. Entertainment wise, it's not the greatest.

Fascinating 5 hour plus, 3 part film about Carlos the Jackal (although he never actually called himself that) the headline grabbing terrorist of the 70s and 80s. With little exposition, we're dropped into a whirlwind of violence, self-aggrandizement, sexual seduction, and power games, moving at an almost dizzying speed. The film allows us to slowly figure out Carlos, instead of explain him in a simple facile way. While never sympathetic, somehow the amazing Edgar Rameriez allows us to feel for this id and ego driven creature, powered far more by the need for attention and adulation (whether from women or the press) than by true belief. Indeed, one of the most interesting things about the film is how (intentionally) shallow and hollow Carlos's political monologues ring.The last 1/3 is the slowest and hardest to sit through. Carlos's slow decline into ineffectiveness and unimportance is sometimes patience trying. But Rob Nelson, in his excellent Village Voice review makes a strong argument that this is a) unavoidable after the high paced rush of the first two parts and 2) part of the point of the film; without his fixes of women and power there wasn't much to Carlos, and without them both he and we want it to be over. This is a film I'd like to see again. While I don't quite agree (yet) with the many critics who have hailed this as of the best films of last 10 years, I do think it's a challenging, brilliantly acted, wonderfully made film, that gives context both to modern terrorism and recent world history. Add to that, an exploration of the blurring fine line between power and uncontrolled narcissism that seems to dog leaders (especially male) of all political stripes from Hitler to Bill Clinton to George Bush to Carlos.That's a lot to cover, even in 5 hours.

Much will be said about this tour de force. A compilation of unbelievable acts of heroic madness. A caption at the beginning of he film warn us that "it should be treated as a work of fiction" Well, thank you very much. What makes this extraordinary achievement, truly extraordinary is Edgar Ramirez. A monumental performance that allows us to make sense of the man. Revolution is in his DNA but so fragile. His ego makes him corruptible and his nature swings between the extremes of an idealist and a sociopath. I was riveted and appalled. I had DVR all three episodes to watch at my leisure but once I started I couldn't stop watching. So I saw the whole thing in one sitting and it went fast very fast. That in itself is extraordinary. So, not to be missed.