AllMovie

In this HBO miniseries from directors Jim O'Hanlon and Alex Holmes (who also co-wrote and executive produced), the events of late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's life are retold from a perspective never before seen - the ever-shrinking inner circle of his once-mighty regime. The story opens in 1979, as Hussein (Igal Naor) seizes control of Iraq in a bloody coup. Later resting comfortably in his opulent palaces as he exerts his control over his cabinet and his people, the powerful tyrant clings to power for nearly twenty-five years. During that time, not even his family, including his first wife Sajida (Shohreh Aghdashloo), his oldest son Uday (Philip Arditti), his half-brother Barzan Ibrihim (Said Taghmaoui), or his mistress (and ultimately second wife) Samira (Christine Stephen-Daly) would be immune to his wrath. By speaking to the very people who were closest to Hussein during his lifetime O'Hanlon and Holmes are able to look past the politics, propaganda, and self-interests of outsiders to offer an unbiased glimpse into the life of one of the 20th Century's most controversial figures.