The film contains five segments separated by the recurring image of a man shoveling through smoldering black ashes. The segments profile Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Franco and Mao. An ominous hum persists through much of the film, but disappears for Mussolini and Franco. Cute. First person voice-overs posing as the translated words of the dictators themselves offer intimate details of their habits, physical conditions and private affairs. Meanwhile, archive footage of the dictators relaxing with family and colleagues, or performing routine functions devoid of passion or ideology provides some visual evidence to complement the monologues.
The effect is engrossing and mildly comical, especially with the very casual style of the English 'translations'. Think Dr. Evil telling his life story. Those who didn't already know will learn that the great dictators were human beings with insecurities and unsavory habits like everybody else. The rest of us can enjoy the stream of interesting facts, the carefully sequenced, but certainly familiar footage, and the smooth delivery of the 'translator'. Don't expect anything too challenging or ground breaking, however.
The effect is engrossing and mildly comical, especially with the very casual style of the English 'translations'. Think Dr. Evil telling his life story. Those who didn't already know will learn that the great dictators were human beings with insecurities and unsavory habits like everybody else. The rest of us can enjoy the stream of interesting facts, the carefully sequenced, but certainly familiar footage, and the smooth delivery of the 'translator'. Don't expect anything too challenging or ground breaking, however.