Rum & Revolution – History of Havana

Havana in the 1950s is a glittering playground of music, casinos, and cabarets, drawing American tourists and celebrities such as Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner to spots like the Hotel Nacional and Tropicana. Yet the city is run by the American mafia, and its glamour masks deep poverty for most Cubans. Dictator Fulgencio Batista secretly partners with the mob to create a 'Las Vegas in the Caribbean,' and the resulting corruption and oppression spark unrest. On January 8, 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries enter Havana, ending U.S. dominance on the island.