Watch The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar

The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar is a documentary that delves into the complex and notorious life of the infamous Columbian drug lord who became a billionaire through drug trafficking, Pablo Escobar. The film chronologically unfolds Escobar's rise to prominence, his downfall, and the events that ultimately led to his death. The documentary begins with a brief overview of the socioeconomic conditions that existed in Columbia during the 1970s and 1980s, which created the perfect storm for the emergence of drug trafficking as a lucrative business. It then moves to Escobar's early years, his family background, and his humble beginnings as a small-time thief and car thief, eventually moving up the ranks through violent means.

The documentary offers a deeper insight into Escobar's character, his motivations, and the shrewdness that allowed him to build one of the world's largest drug empires. We see how Escobar gained control of the cocaine trade by negotiating with representatives from companies in the US and Europe, organizing syndicates to transport and distribute the drugs, and buying off anyone who stood in his way. The film contends that his charisma and strategic acumen allowed him to consolidate power without fear of resistance from the Colombian authorities.

As Escobar's wealth reached astronomical heights, he became more ruthless and dangerous, ordering the assassinations of government officials, politicians, judges, and journalists who threatened his lifestyle. Escobar's attacks became increasingly vicious, culminating in the bombing of a passenger jet that killed hundreds of people in 1989 in a bid to assassinate a rival drug lord on board.

The documentary explores how the US and Colombian authorities, realizing the magnitude of the problem, teamed up to bring down the prolific kingpin. We get insight into US-led operations aimed at finding and killing Escobar members, including Joint Task Force Omega, a team of American special forces, and the capture of numerous Escobar associates. The film illustrates how these efforts failed to apprehend Escobar until a team of Colombian Special Forces in coordination with INIA captured him on December 2, 1993.

The film takes us through the aftermath of Escobar's death and the vacuum he left in the Colombian drug war. We see how the DEA's efforts to destroy the Cali cartel, who rose to power after Escobar's death, continued to have an impact on drug trafficking worldwide.

The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar is a powerful and insightful document of the life of one of the most famous and controversial figures in history. It sheds light on the major life events which shaped Escobar’s personality and showcases fact-based insights into the reasons that led him to become a billionaire drug lord. Through conversations with family members, drug lords, politicians, journalists, and people who lived through the violence and chaos of the time, The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar offers an unparalleled account of one of the most tragic figures of the 20th century.

The Rise and Fall of Pablo Escobar is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours.