Good concept, poorly executed.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Pros: Philip Arditti plays his role very well and has similar physical looks. Start of how Saddam terrorized Iraq goes well with truth. Cons:Shohreh Aghdashloo (who plays Saddam wife) does not match the role; Sheher has some graceful looks; while the real Sajida Saddam was a chubby, Bedouin woman who struggled all her life to remove her trademark of no style and no taste(see her on google image and judge by yourself). Movie hides two turning points in Saddam life: One is after 1990 (liberation of Kuwait by US); Saddam committed mass graves burring about 400,000 Shiite Muslims, most of them buried alive. So far only 250 000 corpse found and they keep finding. Second missing fact that Uday; the playboy son of Saddam was shot by opposition on 1996 causing him to lose ability to walk; and lost his manhood(his Johnson was cut by a bullet). This caused a lot of problems inside Saddam family due to jealousy the grew against his young brother Qusay; who was being groomed to succeed his father. The film also draws a totally opposite picture of Saddam wife(Sajida) real character. She hated high class women (due to her low class family) and destroyed many of the well known Baghdad families. She was not the helpless abused wife and the movie shows.She was a gem hunter; touring the world buying diamonds and jewellery. Film misrepresented the real character of Saddam son in law (Hussein Kamel) who escaped to Jordan. Hussein Kamel was known in Iraq as being blood thirsty; low rank policeman who did everything to prove to Saddam that he was a ruthless aide to rely on. Part 3 did not reveal the truth why US reinstalled Saddam after liberating Kuwait in 1990 although he lost control of 15 provinces out of 18 in Iraq. A real writer should make 8 or 10 episodes about Saddam showing the shocking facts starting from the 50's when he was a student & agent of CIA in Cairo; until they helped him takeover in 1968. To show some facts and hide others is misguiding.

a movie who desires be testimony. not as documentary or accusation to a regime. not as dramatization of a dictatorship. but as picture of its roots and its soul. as puzzle of a deep tragedy out of words. it suggests, describes, show. in honest and direct way. using the subtle precise power of image. recreating shadows of past and remember not only the steps of Hussein dictatorship but the silhouettes of Stalin or Ghadafi ascension to power. more than a series, it is instrument to reflection about terrible forms of pain. about steps of absolute power. maybe it is not exactly the truth. the details are pieces of darkness but the basic lines are enough to understand the circle of this regime and for not consider the war against Iraq from 2003 only fruit of American propaganda. because evil is not propriety of definitions.

The four hours speed by like 1. Even for people who aren't that familiar with what happened to Saddam before and during the war, this clearly scripted miniseries shows everything in a clear and dramatic fashion. It is terrifying and yet totally watchable. It is detailed yet never drags. Shows both the terror he inflicted on his people and his family. You don't have to question the plot since it is all true.The cast is terrific - the leads deserved Emmys and Golden Globes. The cast who played his sons, son in laws, wife, daughters are all excellent. They show terror without overacting. The sets are authentic looking. The score is suitable and evocative. One of the best miniseries ever made. Very compelling. A must see.

If viewers are expecting a factual summary of Saddam Hussein's life, they will be disappointed. I'm sure there are better documentaries on the subject. But for pure casting pleasure, I would heartily recommend HoS. Director Jim O'Hanlon has assembled a truly international cast, including celebrated Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (so marvelous in "House of Sand & Fog"), Indian actress Shivani Ghai, and Palestinian actor Makram Khoury (great as Tariq Aziz).Most impressive is celebrated actor Yigal Naor as Saddam. He exudes the perfect combination of ruthlessness and charm that propelled the tyrant into power. That Hussein is portrayed by a Jew-- and Israeli-born Jew-- is probably sending the old goat into cartwheels. Pure poetic justice!