A Selection of Photographs by Dennis Brack

Fidel Castro in May 1975.Fidel Castro smoking a cigar in 1975. Former presidential candidate and senator George McGovern got permission to travel to Cuba and Barbara Walters, an ABC crew, and I (working for TIME) went along. We were not sure that we would meet Fidel, but on a tour of his brother's ranch his jeep rolled up. Fidel shook hands with McGovern and then spent the afternoon showing Barbara Walters around. First stop, an ice cream stand where he bought us all cones. The next stop was a cigar factory where we watched workers rolling cigars. Fidel gave us each a cigar and made his guests light up. Last stop was a aging barn with brandy casks. Fidel knelt and poured everyone a drink. Finally he came to me and offered me a glass. I had declined the cone and the cigar saying that I had to use my hands to hold the cameras and take pictures, but this didn't work this time. Fidel insisted--"you must drink". I gulped it down quickly. Big mistake==a graphic reaction from me--Fidel got a good laugh out of that. Later in the trip Fidel invited us to dinner...Photograph by Dennis Brack bb30