Customer Reviews

Ceausescu: The Unrepentant Tyrant

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nicolae Ceausescu was the Communist dictator of Rumania from 1965-1989, when he and his wife were overthrown and executed.

This is a good 50 minute introduction to Ceausescu's life, but it also feels slight. A dry recitation of facts, with lots of talking head experts. I'd like to have seen more news footage, less talking heads. Done in old ducumentary fashion, rather than post-Ken Burns fashion in which actors read actual letters from the people portrayed on screen. As a result, we never get a feel for Ceausescu, or get inside his head. We don't understand him any more than when we began. We're told Ceausescu was a tyrant -- and he was -- but we don't see the results of his tyranny. No prison or labor camp footage. Just a quick succession of propaganda and news clips, with many talking heads. A clear case of "telling" and not "showing."

Speaking of talking heads, it's funny how EVERY former member of his government NOW says how horrible Ceausescu was. If EVERY Communist bigwig opposed Ceausescu, why didn't someone speak up sooner?

Still, because there aren't many films on this important historic figure, I give it four stars as a serviceable introduction to those who've never heard of Ceausescu.

This documentary provides an excellent look into the rise and fall of Nicolae Ceau'escu including the fall of the communist government and his capture, trial and execution.