Carlos

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Directed by Olivier Assayas

Written by Olivier Assayas, Daniel Leconte, and Dan Franck

With: Édgar Ramírez, Alexander Scheer, Fadi Abi Samra, Ahmad Kaabour, Talal El-Jordi, Juana Acosta, Nora von Waldstätten, and Anna Thalbach

Cinematography: Yorick Le Saux and Denis Lenoir
Editing: Luc Barnier and Marion Monnier

Runtime: 319 min
Release Date: 19 May 2010
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1
Color: Color

Olivier Assayas’ French TV miniseries, released in theaters as a 5½-hour film, is a thrilling telling of the exploits of one of the most notorious terrorists of all time, Carlos the Jackal. Edgar Ramirez gives a terrific performance, and the set pieces, especially the attempt to take the OPEC ministers hostage, which is the film's centerpiece, are gripping. Still, for such an epic, the film comes up a little short in contextualizing the period and the motivations of the various government agencies depicted.

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How I Rate Films



An All-timer. One of the 5000 greatest films. Usually only awarded after repeat viewings.



One of the year's best. An excellent film. Possibly one of the 5000 greatest and certainly worthy of repeated viewing.



A very good film. Most films I see fall in the two- or three-star ranking. I give an extra half-star to three-star films that could end up on the list of the 5000 greatest.



A good film that fully succeeds at what it sets out to accomplish. Well worth seeing, but less effective than a three-and-a-half stars films and often less consequential than a two-and-a-half star film.



A noteworthy or enjoyable film that I can’t fully recommend. Still, two-and-a-half star films are often some of the most memorable films of a year.



A disappointment, an interesting failure, or just a bad movie. But still worth seeing if you’ve got the time.



A bad, rant-worthy film. Should be avoided regardless of hype or talent involved.



One of the worst films.