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General Idi Amin Dada (The Criterion Collection)

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The first thing you may notice about Barbet Schroeder's 1974 documentary on former Ugandan head of state Idi Amin Dada is that song the general plays on the accordion. Darned if that song doesn't lodge in your brain like a malevolent seed. I've been humming those notes for hours with no indication that it will leave me anytime soon. Dada insisted on scoring Schroeder's documentary with his own quirky brand of music. A head of state cranking out the tunes on an accordion is only one of the many bizarre revelations contained in this intriguing study of a dictator and his unlimited power over a central African nation. The DVD tells us that Dada, a former boxing heavyweight champion of Uganda and head of its armed forces, seized power from President Milton Obote in a coup d'etat in 1971. For the next eight years several million Africans experienced what can only be described as a nightmare inflicted by an overweight bully who spoke English with a bad accent, and who killed anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 native Ugandans before his ouster by a combined force of Tanzanian regular army and Ugandan rebels. Dada fled to Libya and then Saudi Arabia, where he resides today with his wife (one of four) and twenty-five of his fifty children. He still thinks he will return to Uganda one day.

DADA THE STATESMAN: Schroeder became interested in documenting Dada's reign when he read about the numerous telegrams the general sent to various world leaders. For example, Richard Nixon received a message from Dada consoling him on the Watergate tragedy. Kurt Waldheim got one discussing the role of Germany in the Jewish holocaust, stating that the Jews are not a "good influence" and remarking on German complicity in the Munich terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics. When Dada heard about economic difficulties in England, he sent a message offering three tons of vegetables in order to help feed the starving masses of London. Despite tensions with neighboring President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, General Dada dropped a line telling the man that he loved him and would marry him if Nyerere was a young woman, but since he was a man he wouldn't think of doing so. The world hasn't seen a statesman like Dada since the reign of Caligula.

DADA THE POLITICIAN: Schroeder got General Dada to call a cabinet meeting so the filmmakers could observe the fearless leader in action. After some initial hesitation, Dada complied. The proceedings of this meeting would be humorous if everyone in the room didn't look as though they were afraid for their lives. The general's agenda for the day included such instrumental directives as getting the people to love their leaders, an attendance policy for all cabinet meetings (three absences and you're out of government), and how the foreign minister does a lousy job. The filmmakers break in at this point to announce that two weeks after this meeting occurred, the foreign minister died "suddenly." A personal appearance by the general in a local village looks like a genuine outpouring of love and admiration until we learn that officials planned the whole thing before the chopper carrying Dada even arrived.

DADA THE MILITARY GENIUS: Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar cannot compare with this esteemed tactician. General Dada takes the film crew on a tour of a mock invasion of the Golan Heights, which Idi wants to reclaim for his Arab allies. In a show of force that certainly caused Moshe Dayan and Golda Meir to call an emergency meeting of the Knesset, Dada marshals his forces: one tank, one helicopter, a plane or two, and about twenty troops armed with assault weapons. A single flare marks the end of the exercise, which the general declares an overwhelming success. We do discover later that Uganda possesses several more jet fighters that perform admirably as air cover for a military parade. It's lucky for the world that Dada's regime ended in 1978 because the combined might of the world's armed services could never withstand such a powerful foe. When siding with the Arabs against Israel, Dada cites such authoritative texts as "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" as proof of the treachery of the Jews. That this pamphlet is a proven forgery cooked up by the Russian secret police at the turn of the twentieth century makes no impression on this lovable leader.

DADA AS ECONOMIC POLICYMAKER: Dada had a dream one day about Uganda's economy, so after finishing breakfast he promptly issued a decree expelling all Israelis and Asians from the country. Since Asians ran 80% of the economy, inflation and other economic woes soared. When discussing capitalism and communism, Dada claims that Uganda is revolutionary, but subscribes to neither of these economic systems. He states that Uganda has "no policy at all." Do I need to go on?

Dada often comes off as quite likeable, smiling and laughing heartily along with the film crew over reminiscences and jokes. He takes the filmmakers on a tour of the Nile that is interesting and appears to be fun. We see Dada's family, see him dancing and joking with the people, and jamming with a local band. It is difficult to see the monster behind the laughter, but the evil is there even if it seems as banal as Herr Eichmann. "General Idi Amin Dada" is a fascinating look into one of the twentieth century's most important political phenomena, the power mad dictator. Thanks to Schroeder for making this important film, and thanks to Criterion for bringing it to DVD with a gorgeous picture and excellent sound.

Lots of folks have said that Barbet Schroeder's cinematic masterpiece and ballsy documentary "General Idi Amin Dada: A Self-Portrait" is chilling and horrifying. Let's set the record straight: no, it's not.

It's funny. It's downright hysterical. And it's absolutely REQUIRED viewing to get a better perspective of this Ugandan success story, this uniquely self-made man, this 6 foot 4 250 pound colossus of sheer destruction and unabetted cannibalism, Ugandan heavyweight boxing champ, designer of epaulette-and-jodphur laden uniforms, former British colonial army sergeant, Army Chief of Staff under doomed former Ugandan President Milton Obote, and once-and-future King of the Sea. Oh, and according to Idi, he could talk to the lions and the crocodiles, too.

Wow---Idi Amin lived a crazy life, didn't he? And Barbet Schroeder, bless him and his intergalactic-extra-gigantic man-orbs, managed to catch all of this insanity on film. That film is "General Idi Amin Dada: A Self-Portrait".

WATCH!---as the friendly, helpful, think globally act locally Idi Amin----


*talks to the animals, including crocodiles and lions!

*shoots his AK-47 and stomps around in his designer camouflage gear!

*stages a mock invasion of the Golan heights, with helicopters and tanks! Watch Idi point out all his menacing metallic armored monsters like a 3-year-old schoolkid!

*Dresses down a cowering cabinet (the foreign minister is later found floating upside down in the Nile, ah well), and chews out a bunch of doctors for drunkeness. In the Islamic Shiny Happy World of Idi Amin, cannibalism was in! Torture was in! Invading Tanzania and killing Kenyan students was in! Taking a toddle was, evidently, way *way* out.

*Wins a swimming contest!

*Shakes a spear threateningly and plays the accordion at a state function and dancing party!

*Basically performs smashingly as a perfect Third-World villain (with a striking resemblance to child-actor and "Diff'rent Strokes" star Gary Coleman---or is that just me?) who could easily be a central casting dream from the old "Johnny Quest" cartoon!

Really, Barbet Schroeder was an amazing filmmaker. More amazing is that he got what he did---more than could be believed---on film. And the amazing thing is, Idi Amin gave him full, unfettered access! Amin thought this would be a propoganda coup! Schroeder just lets Idi Amin be Idi Amin, and it is marvellous to watch the General expound: on war, on Uganda, on destiny, on boxing, on the Jews, on Hitler. Especially Hitler. Barbet risks his own neck to ask Idi a pointed question on his fascist idol, and Idi grins, and glowers, and chuckles amiably, and then purrs "why do you ask me about Hitler? Why Hitler"?

Why, indeed, Idi. Why indeed.

Twenty five years ago, the art house release of "GENERAL IDI AMIN DADA," a riveting profile of a Uganda's obese, vainglorious, psychopathic dictator, created a sensation. Now, thanks to Criterion, acclaimed Iranian born French director Barbet Schroeder's remarkable look at this seemingly jovial, larger-than-life figure who put over 300,000 people to death between 1971 and 1979 is available in a clean digital transfer.

It is amazing that this schizophrenic, racist clown cooperated in the making of his self-portrait. He even played the accordion for the soundtrack. There are numerous unanswered questions surrounding the reign of this bestial despot, who simultaneously claimed he was a "man of the people" and also "President for Life."

Schroeder's great skills and unflinching bravery resulted in a chilling and disturbing film that the dictator intended as propaganda, but ironically becomes a revelation of pure evil. The notable cinematography is by Nestor Almendros, who won an Oscar for "Days of Heaven."

It is said that Idi is alive in exile (Saudi Arabia?) awaiting an opportunity to return to his former glory.

A must see. This incredible film reverberates with issues more relevant to our human concerns for life and freedom than when it was made.

Over the course of 90 minutes, we see Uganda's army run a faux invasion of the "Golan Heights", Amin Dada lecture physicians about drunkeness and a meeting of Amin's cabinet where he blasts his foreign minister (who was executed soon after filming) for the negative portrayal of his regime in the world press. It's hard not to laugh at Amin when he claims that he can command crocodiles or tells a large group of educated doctors that the people of Uganda won't respect them if they are drunks. Then you remember this same man killed 350,000 of his own people, and some of the laughs get a little uneasier. I think what fascinates people about Amin is how he could simultaneously be so ruthless and yet, so buffonish. Certainly this documantary (in which some of the shots admittedly were set up by Amin himself) is a good demonstration of the latter and hints towards the former. By the way, this is a great print of the film and Criterion even includes a 25 minute plus interview with Schroder recalling anecdotes about the making of it.

Did you ever wonder what would happen if some random person was suddenly the head of a country? Is it really that complex to be a national leader? I guess we've answered this in America since 2000, but prior to then it was an interesting "what if?".

Well, "what if" happened in Uganda in 1971. A large ex-boxer named Idi Amin seized power in a coup and suddenly was formulating economic policy and thinking deep thoughts about complex world issues like peace in the Middle East. What happens when the local not-too-bright bully is suddenly running the nation? Very bad things! Cabinet ministers turn up dead, the government is run like the local grade school (three tardies and you get sent home), the economic policy is "revolutionary" (meaning very, very screwed up), and the President cares more about feeding crocodiles and winning bogus swimming contests than actually running the country. Oh, and several hundred thousand Ugandans die along the way.

The DVD gets repetitive, but is still worth watching for the sheer insanity that this was the way an actual country was run for a decade. There are plenty of other dictators that killed millions of their countrymen in the 20th century, but none that allowed a documentary crew to follow them around for a couple of days so the world could see how completely ignorant they really were. It would be a great farce if this stupidity didn't cost around 400,000 Ugandans their lives.

General Idi Amin Dada was one of the most notorious dictators the world has ever seen. He is best know for orquestrating the deaths of over half a million Ugandans and expelling Jews and Asians from the country back in the 1970s. The Criterion Collection recently re-released Barbet Schroeder's documentary about the tyrant with brillantly remastered scenes. The film was shoot during the height of Amin's presidency. Although many parts of the first are just comically, one has to wonder how this man even became a head of state. Amin spends a great part of the film preparing his troops to fight the 'impending' war in Golan Heights. Quite possibly the most controversial moment in the film is when the interviewer asks Amin about his comments in a newspaper article saying that he said more Jews should have been killed during the Holocaust. Amin starts to laugh uncontrollably for a couple of minutes after that. He later says in the film that his country would welcome Palestinian terrorists who brought a hijacked El-AL plane to the country. Coincidentally a week after filmming, Palestinians did actually hijack a Israeli plane and brought it to Entebbe. Amin is also seen in the film making hypocritical statements about women in government and Ugandans being more 'revolutionary' (Check out the revolutionary jazz band at the beginning of the film). The DVD also features an amazing interview with the director. Schroeder talks about how he got Amin to do that memorably bizarre cabinet meeting where he criticizes his staff for not being 'revolutionary.' This is a great film that gets into the mind of evil.

Barbet Schroeder's "General Idi Amin Dada" is a disturbing and hilarious documentary about former Uganda leader Idi Amin. Aside from some minor voiceover narration at various points, Schroeder lets Amin speak for himself and his monologues are simply astonishing. Groucho Marx's portrayal of dictator Rufus T. Firefly in "Duck Soup" is positively sane compared to Amin's pompous, deluded, and egomaniacal rants and behavior. In one of the film's best scenes, Amin challenges his cohorts to a swimming contest and after cutting across the lanes in front of his competition, proudly declares himself the winner. Another great scene has Amin declaring that he has psychic powers over alligators.

While many will find it difficult to laugh at the antics and ravings of a leader arguably as evil as Hitler or Stalin, Amin is such a buffoon that you can not help but chuckle at how unapologetically moronic he is.

Also recommended on the disturbing/hilarous documentary front: "Crumb" -- Terry Zwigoff's creepy look at cartoonist R. Crumb; "Hated" -- Todd Phillips' documentary of the pathetic, feces-flinging punk rock moron G.G. Allin; and "I'm From Hollywood", the freaky and hilarious look of late comedian Andy Kaufman's wrestling career.

My review's title is not to imply Barbet Schroeder is a manipulative filmmaker like Leni Riefinstahl, nor to say the film looks at Idi Amin purely in a positive light. (both are far from the truth) It refers to the fact this film, like "Triumph of the Will," looks at a cruel dictator during the height of his power, and while he was alive and well enough to actually partake in the film. Because of this, the documentary holds some historic importance not just for African history, but world history in general.

The documentary is a fairly straightforward one. Some have found it boring, and admittedly there seems to be not much form to it. (although in Schroeder's defense, few documentaries are) Much of it is following Amin around and watching his daily life, as he would probably most like to see it. He gives the film crew a tour of Uganda wildlife, (including a focus on crocadiles) allows them to film a cabinet meeting, and displays a wargame simulating an attack on the Golan Heights. At times it almost seems like Idi Amin is greatly enjoying the limelight - during the wargame he is pointing up to the sky saying, "Film that jet!" or "Film that helicopter!" and the cameraman complies. If you're interested in Idi Amin or African history, then it will interest you and provide insight on a regime that eliminated hundreds of thousands of Ugandan citizens. If you aren't, then it probably will bore you, and be thought of as a cookie-cutter documentary.

The special features include an interview with director Barbet Schroeder on how the film came about and what it was like to work with Idi Amin. Two interesting stories in particular arose from it. One was when Amin and Schroeder were watching Ugandan television footage, and Amin was infuriated that it showed him shaking hands with a foreign diplomat using his left hand. Schroeder replied, "No, that's normal, it happens everywhere - it just means the editor switched the footage around." Amin replied, "Oh! So it was the editor!" What Schroeder hadn't realized was that the cameraman had already been killed, and Amin afterward killed the editor. Schroeder kept his mouth shut after that. The second story involves the film's initial release. Amin was not happy with the original cut, and demanded Schroeder edit the film. When Schroeder refused, Amin rounded up 150 French citizens in Uganda and threatened to kill them unless Schroeder complied. Schroeder did, and the film wasn't restored to its original cut until after Amin had been overthrown in 1978.

A rare personal look into one of the cruelest dictators of the 20th century. I would recommend it to any one interested in the subject matter, most definitely.

Some of the other reviews have said that the film is not editted properly and 'too slow'. I'm not a film-maker and cannot comment on that other than to say that they are wrong. The film is amazing. I'm not sure if there is ANY other movie or documentary that shows what a serialkiller-cum-dictator-cum-statesman is like. Nowadays people might not know who Idi Amin is, or what he did, so its important to read up a little so you can truely appreciate this movie. He plays accordian? You see him meeting with his 'advisors' (some of whom disappear so after.) You see him play acting like a grown-up boy with toy soldiers. You see his self-appointed royal pedigree and send his support for Nixon! Its fascinating and amazing. This is man that, self-proclaimed, actually ATE some of his rivals (not the whole body I hope). He killed many people directly and by his policies. His ego is outstanding and its an amazing movie. Apparently, there is a new movies coming out about Idi Amin starring Forrest Whitaker. He's a good actor and so I look forward to seeing it. But this is the REAL guy. Its amazing and a feat probably never to happen again.

Simply one of the most nervy, discomforting, yet fascinating documentaries I've seen. Just wait until you see how his pilots train without aircraft. I can't believe my luck that Criterion is putting this out. Now if they would only release Schoeder's BARFLY....