Customer Reviews

House of Saddam

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

(NOTE:This review is in response to the original HBO presentation/airing and not of it's future home DVD release)

Presented and watched as one four hour block (with each of it's four parts averaging around 58 minutes each) this was one well cast and performed HBO/BBC production on the reign of Saddam Hussein. Showcasing the years between his take-over of the Presidency of Iraq in 1979 up thru his execution in 2006, this mini-series was well informative and even at it's length, not very dragging in parts. And don't think this is all about Saddam either, his family and fellow soldier/followers are in full force here too. And each part is extremely well-played, even reaching the point where recreated news-footage makes you think you're seeing the real thing. If there was any fault of this mini-series it lied in the final fourth act, basically showcasing Saddam's hiding exile, going from Iraq's largest leader to a pauper hiding in a hole (just like it was in real life). But not being a Hussein historian by any means (who'd want to?), I truly felt that this script followed the insane leader and those around him to a tee. Quite disturbing in parts without being too graphic (Saddam had a thing about his relatives getting to close to greatness...he didn't like it) and showing a side of the madman you may not expect (he loved film-making, especially if the star was playing him), this is one mini-series highly suggested to anyone who doubts taking him out of power wasn't the right thing to do or a neccesary evil. Would love to see some interviews with the cast on how each of them channeled these characters so well, will probably purchase this on DVD and sit through the dark-subject four hours even again.
(RedSabbath Rating:9.0/10)

"I know a traitor before he knows himself."

Indeed.

A fascinating study in power, even for those who think themselves well-versed in all things Iraq. Check it out.

PLOT: 4 PART miniseries by HBO and BBC about Saddam Hussein's raise to power from 1979 until 2005 caputure BRILLIANT~

Ignal Naor is excellent as Saddam~ 4 parts ~ PART ONE~ Saddam gets rid of most of his enemies his a rapid move into the new leader of IRAQ using the theme of get rid of any one you suspect any one~ PART TWO: HE arranges a marriage of his oldest daughter to and the groom becomes his new "body guard /security chief." we see the blend of marraige and alliances that give Saddam even more power. ADD to the scene is the out of control son Uday who uses RAPE, drugs and torture. PART THREE: the invasion of Kuwait LEADS TO his two daughters and their huSbands fleeing to Jordan~ Saddam using both pursuasion and intrigue with the promises of a full PARDON AND FORGIVNESS get the two sons in laws back who he promply has KILLED. none the less his daughters now widows at his hand continue to blindly love and obey and support him~ amazing~ PART FOUR: the invasion of Iraq and the hunt for UDAY and Quasay (his sons) are are "SOLD OUT" FOR MILLIONS and end up dead in a shoot out and the hunt for the very elusive Saddam who hides with two body guards. His little "hole" he hides in is quiet brilliant but the soliders have some informants who give them the "clues" to find the last hiding place of Saddam~ this was based on the Diary of the oldest of Saddams daughters. very well written and outstanding acting~ does not drag and we are glued to it but part four is the BEST~ BBC and HBO does it right~ won an emmy ~ I GIVE IT A 9 OUT OF 10. AND IGNAL NAOR IS 10 OUT OF 10~

If this miniseries had gone a little deeper into the background and scope of Iraqi politics it would certainly deserve another star, since it is really very well done, as far as it goes. The real weakness of the series lies in the very superficial look at the private life of Saddam, without going into any particular aspect in depth. There was a whole lot more that could have been included, so as to give the thing more weight and substance.
As it is, we are given a sort of Hollywood reenactment of some of the seemier aspects of Saddam Hussein and his family, albeit very well interpreted by Yigal Naor as Saddam. He is a really commanding presence and thoroughly credible in the principal role, which lends the series much of its authenticity. The rest of the cast is variable, although the rather important character of Kamel Hussein comes over as very wooden. Tariq Aziz, however, is just fine, and Saddam's son, Uday, is more or less what one would imagine him to be.
Notwithstanding its limitations, this is a very watchable miniseries, which, as I have said, would have merited a higher rating if only it had gone a little deeper into the subject.

HBO was much too easy on Sadaam; yes, they portray him as the evil monster he was but forget (purposely) the truely evil things surrounding his family and personal life...Some examples-Sadaam used to take his two young sons regularly to watch his police torture, dismember, and murder for fun (they were barely out of diapers), how his sons would feed rivals to their pet lions, how one son would frequent ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS for innocent little girls to rape, how the one son was a heroin addict and serial killer who murdered probably hundreds of women after rape, (he was a known pedophile)Sadaams assasinations of rivals, sadaam murdering members of his own family, the endless underground torture chambers, making people eat their own waste, his early friendship with the U.S.---AND ON AND ON AND ON...HBO made him look like just another moderate dictator in the Islamic world--whether you supported the war or not, HBO intentionally left out the real truth....
Read a few books if you want to know-not this half hearted film..

Yigal Naor, an iraqi jewish person and great actor, did a masterpiece. he
did a great job of showing the ruthlessness and dominant personality of Saddam Hussein. this movie became a controversy in the arab world because the person who acting the role of saddam is jewish, but that did not stop the production of the film nor did it stop the muslim actors and actresses from being in the film either. All the rest of the actors did a great performance as well. hbo is not accurate history but gets the point across on the ruthlessness and barbaric personality of saddam. this film compliments the doccumentary Uncle Saddam. To get this history watch Uncle Saddam and then watch House Of Saddam to get the soap opera. Eat hummus and pita bread is highly recommended while watching this film.

A very good production, highly recommended enternainment. Igal Naor's impersonation of Saddam is impressive (and sometimes spooky), despite his clear Israeli accent. Same problem with the "Chemical Ali" played by Uri Gavriel, but in a more moderate manner. Anyway, I sincerely doubt there will be a more accurate portrait of the deceased Iraqi tyrant. Pity that the legendary sadism of his son Uday was toned down.

This four-part British mini-series follows the life of Iraq's brutal dictator, Saddam Hussein, from his ascension to power to American troops discovering him hiding in a hole in the ground, after they invaded Iraq. Whatever news stories, magazine articles or television programs you might have seen or read about Saddam Hussein, this film brings you up close and gives you a truly intimate picture of his life.
One of the most interesting aspects of Saddam was his wily intelligence. He understood power and how to enforce it. He understood that total political control meant eliminating any and all sources of weakness or threats to one's status. And, one by one, he eliminates family and friends if they stand in his way or appear less than totally loyal.
His family and mistress (later to be his second wife) are clearly portrayed. The acting throughout is excellent, the story gripping and well-scripted. This 2 disc set is highly recommended. The DVD has a bonus feature which gives the aftermath of what happened to all the characters.

This mini-series has a lot going for it. The acting is generally top notch with the actor playing Saddam particularly convincing. The production values are also quite high.

My one (major) criticism is that the story leaves out the two greatest crimes Saddam presided over.

The first is the brutal al-Anfal campaign in which Saddam's minions --at his command-- murdered tens of thousands of Iraqi Kurds, acts of genocide that included the use of chemical weapons against civilians. I think "House of Saddam" devotes about one sentence to that atrocity.

The second is Saddam's savage suppression of the Kurdish and Shi'ite uprisings against his rule immediately following the first Gulf war (which caused the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and rebels alike).

Oddly, the mini-series shows with some detail the relatively minor atrocity committed by Saddam against the village of al-Dujail where an attempt to assassinate him took place...This was the crime that he actually was executed for, but it pales in comparison to the crimes I've mentioned above.

So I'd recommend watching House of Saddam for entertainment value and because it brings to life some of the most memorable moments in Saddam's reign. But I'd read a full biography for the whole sordid story.

Makes Saddam look all bad. Some little known Saddam facts:

1. Saddam liked kittens.
2. Saddam had a poster of Ghandi above his fireplace mantel
3. Saddam loved his mother
4. Saddam used Joe Weider products.
5. Saddam donanated 1/10th of his income to charitable organizations.
6. Saddam onced volunteered to dress as Santa and ring a bell in front of a Mosul
Mosul Walmart for the Salvation Army
7. Saddam never gave any of his lovers dutchovens.
8. Saddam employed the handicapp.

All that being said.... great movie.