The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.The heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
John C. Reilly
- Clayton
- (uncredited)
Nazanin Homa
- Virgin Guard
- (as Naz Homa)
Dawn Jackson
- Virgin Guard
- (as Dawn Zimniak)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe mock-Arabic language that Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Nadal (Jason Mantzoukas) speak on the helicopter tour is actually Hebrew.
- GoofsAt 09:40 (After leaving the nuclear research campsite), A Waving Spanish Flag can be found on the top of the palace instead of Wadiyan Flag.
- Quotes
General Aladeen: [to his pregnant wife] Are you having a boy or an abortion?
- Crazy creditsIn loving memory of Kim Jong-il
- Alternate versionsUnrated version - 99mins
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.126 (2012)
- SoundtracksWala Ala Baloh
Written by Khaled Ezz, Mohamed Refahy & Mohamed Rahem
Performed by Amr Diab (as Amir Diab)
Courtesy of EMI Music Arabia
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music
Featured review
Ali G, Borat, Bruno. If you've seen any of them, then you probably know what to expect from Sacha Baron Cohen. Vulgar, crude, politically INcorrect are just some of the terms you could use - depending on your opinion.
Basically, if you're easily offended, you probably won't want to watch the tale of an evil Middle Eastern Dictator who finds himself lost in America amidst a plot to oust him from power.
However, there are still plenty of people who find this sort of humour funny (and I'm one of them). Personally, I didn't think it was as good as Borat or Bruno as the second half seemed a bit forced. The film lasted just under the typical hour and a half mark, but probably could have got away with being an hour long. It would probably have been a pretty funny hour - if you like that sort of thing.
The major criticisms being thrown at The Dictator is claims of racism (just like Borat and Ali G, not to mention claims of homophobia at Bruno) and whether the film mocks Middle Eastern stereotypes, or whether it actually attacks those who impose the stereotypes. The film has also come under fire for being too 'pro-Jew' too anti-American and generally too liberal. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. It's one of those arguments where if you're looking to use this film to support or challenge your own political viewpoint or religious beliefs there are arguments for and against.
The bottom line is that it's quite funny. Quite. Not as good as Borat or Bruno, but still there are plenty of silly and vulgar (and I should emphasis the words 'silly' and 'vulgar' because they're the backbone of this film) moments to make you laugh out loud. Probably not a classic, but entertaining nonetheless.
Basically, if you're easily offended, you probably won't want to watch the tale of an evil Middle Eastern Dictator who finds himself lost in America amidst a plot to oust him from power.
However, there are still plenty of people who find this sort of humour funny (and I'm one of them). Personally, I didn't think it was as good as Borat or Bruno as the second half seemed a bit forced. The film lasted just under the typical hour and a half mark, but probably could have got away with being an hour long. It would probably have been a pretty funny hour - if you like that sort of thing.
The major criticisms being thrown at The Dictator is claims of racism (just like Borat and Ali G, not to mention claims of homophobia at Bruno) and whether the film mocks Middle Eastern stereotypes, or whether it actually attacks those who impose the stereotypes. The film has also come under fire for being too 'pro-Jew' too anti-American and generally too liberal. Maybe that's true, maybe it's not. It's one of those arguments where if you're looking to use this film to support or challenge your own political viewpoint or religious beliefs there are arguments for and against.
The bottom line is that it's quite funny. Quite. Not as good as Borat or Bruno, but still there are plenty of silly and vulgar (and I should emphasis the words 'silly' and 'vulgar' because they're the backbone of this film) moments to make you laugh out loud. Probably not a classic, but entertaining nonetheless.
- bowmanblue
- Mar 2, 2015
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Finchley's Dream
- Filming locations
- Plaza de España, Seville, Andalucía, Spain(Palace of Wadiya exterior scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $65,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $59,650,222
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $17,435,092
- May 20, 2012
- Gross worldwide
- $179,379,533
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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