Movie motorbikes: The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries is based on the true story of Ernesto Guevara, who later became famous as Marxist guerrilla and revolutionary leader Che Guevara, and his friend’s epic road trip across South America.

The 2004 biopic tells a story that captured the imagination of Laura Hardiman who has also read the book on which the film is based.

“I like it because it’s based on fact. I like true stories and The Motorcycle Diaries is all about their epic, life-changing journey,” said Laura, our admin manager.

The Academy award-winning film about Guevara, who led the Cuban Revolution, and Alberto Granado’s 1952 expedition is a road movie and coming-of-age film. Seeing impoverished indigenous peasants changed Guevara’s life.

In 1952, 23-year-old Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal), who was due to complete his medical degree, leaves Buenos Aires in Argentina with biochemist Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna).

Their plan for the 8,700-mile, four-month adventure is initially about having fun, even though their goal is to work in a leper colony in Peru.

They set off on Granado's dilapidated Norton 500 motorbike, christened La Poderosa – The Mighty One, to explore Latin America.

They plan to travel north across the Andes, along the coast of Chile, through the Atacama Desert and into the Peruvian Amazon to reach Venezuela for Granado's 30th birthday. But the motorbike breaks down and their progress is delayed as they often end up walking.