The Cuba Libre Story
This documentary series recounts the tumultuous history of Cuba, a nation of foreign conquest, freedom fighters and Cold War political machinations.
- 2015-2016
- 1 season
- Netflix
- Documentary
- TV-14
This documentary series recounts the tumultuous history of Cuba, a nation of foreign conquest, freedom fighters and Cold War political machinations.
Season 1 Episode Guide
8 Episodes 2015 - 2016
Episode 1
Breaking Chains
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 46 mins
The history of Cuba, pearl of the Caribbean, fascinates, intrigues and revolts. Teeming with testimonies from "insiders" (historians, secret agents, fighters and opponents of the regime), this first part traces the tumultuous decades from the 40s to the 60s. Batista dictatorship, mafia, Castro revolution, Soviet idyll, embargo... Bienvenidos a Cuba.
Episode 2
War and Sugar
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 46 mins
Sugarcane makes many Cubans rich, while others suffer in poverty. To ward off Communism, the United States turns to a Cuban soldier called Fulgencio Batista.
Episode 3
Gangster's Paradise
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 44 mins
To curb cheating in Cuba's casinos, Batista makes a pact with the mafia. A young lawyer named Fidel Castro gathers fighters for a suicidal attack on the regime.
Episode 4
A Ragtag Revolution
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 45 mins
In exile, Fidel Castro joins forces with Che Guevara. They lead a group of rebels back to Cuba, but are hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned by Batista's army.
Episode 5
Making Heroes
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 46 mins
After becoming the leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro has to decide the island's future. Out of fear of Communism, the CIA initiates the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Episode 6
Of Soviets and Saviors
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 46 mins
Cuba and the Soviet Union become allies, and Soviet nuclear missiles are set up on the island. When the US finds out, the world is at the brink of nuclear war.
Episode 7
Secrets and Sacrifices
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 45 mins
Cuba's survival depends on its Communist allies. The end of the Cold War means the end of foreign aid to the island - and pushes Cuba to the brink of famine.
Episode 8
Moments of Transition
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 45 mins
After ruling Cuba for decades, Fidel Castro hands the reigns to his brother Raúl, who ushers in a thaw in relations with the United States.
