General Idi Amin Dada

Barbet Schroeder

France

1974

90 minutes

Color

1.33:1

English

Watch Film for $5

153

Synopsis

In 1971, the small African nation of Uganda was taken over by self-styled dictator General Idi Amin Dada, beginning an eight-year reign of terror that would result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. In this chilling yet darkly comic documentary, director Barbet Schroeder turns his cameras on the infamous tyrant, revealing the dynamic, charming, and appallingly dangerous man whose fanatical neuroses held an entire nation in their grip. Made with the full support and participation of the infamous dictator, General Idi Amin Dada provides a candid and disturbing portrait of one of the 20th century’s most notorious figures.

Cast

HimselfIdi Amin Dada

Credits

DirectorBarbet Schroeder
ProducerJean-Pierre Rassam and Charles-Henri Favrod
Executive ProducerJean-François Chauvel
CinematographyNestor Almendros
EditingDenise de Casablanca
SoundAlain Sempé
Assistant cameraJean-Claude Rivière
Assistant editorDominique Auvray
Sound mixerAntoine Petitjean
MusicIdi Amin Dada

Disc Features

  • New digital transfer
  • 2001 video interview with Barbet Schroeder
  • Transcription of Idi Amin’s requested cuts to the film
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

From the Current

General Idi Amin Dada

by David Ehrenstein May 13, 2002

Though he wasn’t widely known to most moviegoers until 1990’s Reversal of Fortune, serious film enthusiasts have followed the career of Barbet Schroeder for close to half a century . . .

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Available Editions

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DVD

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