U.S. citizen William Morgan rises to power in Cuba during the Cuban Revolution.U.S. citizen William Morgan rises to power in Cuba during the Cuban Revolution.U.S. citizen William Morgan rises to power in Cuba during the Cuban Revolution.
Photos
Oliver Platt
- Self - Narrator
- (voice)
William Alexander Morgan
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as William Morgan)
Alexander Morgan
- Self - William Morgan's Father
- (archive footage)
Loretta Morgan
- Self - William Morgan's Mother
- (archive footage)
Fidel Castro
- Self
- (archive footage)
Ernesto 'Che' Guevara
- Self
- (archive footage)
Clete Roberts
- Self - TV Journalist, KTLA
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaInspired by this documentary, Ben Nichols of American rock band Lucero wrote their song "Back in Ohio" based on William Morgan's story. "Back in Ohio" can be found on Lucero's 2021 release "When you found me"
Featured review
One of the most fascinating and little-known stories from "American Experience"
I had never heard of the story of William Morgan before I saw this episode of "American Experience"--probably since he was executed several years before I was born. The story begins with the execution and then works backward to William Morgan's youth and a life filled with failures. As a teen, he ran away to join the circus. When in the military, he went AWOL and then compounded the crime by beating up a jailer and escaping. Following a stint in prison for this as well as his dishonorable discharge, Morgan bounced from job to job--some work for the mob as well as more time with the circus. With such a pathetic record, then, it's fascinating how he then went to national hero when he left the US to help in the Cuban Revolution in 1958. How he was able to fall from hero to condemned man is something you'll have to see in the film for yourself.
Overall, a really fascinating portrait of a man who was both honorable and brave...as well as a complete jerk!! This isn't really meant as an insult--just showing the extremes, the complete dichotomy that was Morgan's brief life. Well crafted and never dull!
Overall, a really fascinating portrait of a man who was both honorable and brave...as well as a complete jerk!! This isn't really meant as an insult--just showing the extremes, the complete dichotomy that was Morgan's brief life. Well crafted and never dull!
helpful•10
- planktonrules
- Feb 12, 2016
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