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The Motorcycle Diaries

Directed by Walter Salles · 2004 ·

Short answer

Is The Motorcycle Diaries worth watching?

Yes. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) earns a 79% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

79%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

83% Editorial Rating
87% Audience snapshot · excluded
75 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
7.7 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 6m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · M (Australia) · 15 (South Korea) · G (Japan)
Cast
Gael García Bernal , Rodrigo de la Serna , Mía Maestro
Streaming
Prime Video, Peacock
Country
Argentina
Language
Spanish

Also known as Diarios de motocicleta Carnets de voyage Die Reise des jungen Che Diários de Motocicleta モーターサイクル・ダイアリーズ 모터사이클 다이어리 摩托日记 革命前夕的摩托車日記

Where to watch

  • Prime Video
  • Peacock

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (83/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (87%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (75/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • Celluloid Score 79% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded biography, drama pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is The Motorcycle Diaries worth watching?

    Yes — The Motorcycle Diaries earns a 79% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded biography, drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Salles' road movie humanizes an icon before ideology hardened, with Gael García Bernal luminous in the lead.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is The Motorcycle Diaries about?

    Young Che Guevara and Alberto Granado travel across South America on a motorcycle, witnessing poverty that shapes revolutionary consciousness.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English The Motorcycle Diaries

    The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) Review: Before Che Was Che

    The Motorcycle Diaries follows a young Che Guevara across 1950s South America, a warm, beautifully shot road movie that turns a political icon into a searching student.

    Yes. It is a gorgeous, humane road movie that works even if you care little about politics, though viewers wanting a critical portrait of Guevara should look elsewhere.

    The Motorcycle Diaries stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    The Motorcycle Diaries production still 1
    The Motorcycle Diaries production still 2
    The Motorcycle Diaries production still 3
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    The Motorcycle Diaries production still 5
    The Motorcycle Diaries production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

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    The Motorcycle Diaries: frequently asked questions

    Is The Motorcycle Diaries worth watching?

    Yes. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) has a Celluloid Score of 79%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch The Motorcycle Diaries?

    In the United States, The Motorcycle Diaries streams on Prime Video, Peacock with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is The Motorcycle Diaries?

    The Motorcycle Diaries runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).

    What is The Motorcycle Diaries rated?

    The Motorcycle Diaries is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, M in Australia, 15 in South Korea and G in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in The Motorcycle Diaries?

    The Motorcycle Diaries is directed by Walter Salles and stars Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mía Maestro.

    What is the Metascore for The Motorcycle Diaries?

    Metacritic's Metascore for The Motorcycle Diaries is 75 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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