How to Become a Tyrant is a Netflix docu-series narrated by Peter Dinklage.[1] It is partly based on the 2011 non-fiction book The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics.[2]
| How to Become a Tyrant | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Narrated by | Peter Dinklage |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 25‑30 minutes |
| Production companies | Citizen Jones, Estuary Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 9 July 2021 |
It was followed by another series using the same format, also narrated by Dinklage, called How to Become a Cult Leader, which was released on 28 July 2023.
On 14 November 2023, How to Become a Mob Boss was released.
Plot edit
The narrator states that everybody wants absolute power to transform society to their liking and proceeds to explain how such power can be obtained and sustained. The docu-series proceeds to analyze biographies of historical dictators Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Joseph Stalin, Muammar Gaddafi and the Kim family.
Cast edit
- Peter Dinklage as narrator
- Waller Newell as commentator[3]
Episodes edit
| No. | Title | Featured dictator | Runtime | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Seize Power" | Adolf Hitler | 30 min | July 9, 2021 |
| 2 | "Crush Your Rivals" | Saddam Hussein | 27 min | July 9, 2021 |
| 3 | "Reign Through Terror" | Idi Amin | 27 min | July 9, 2021 |
| 4 | "Control the Truth" | Joseph Stalin | 26 min | July 9, 2021 |
| 5 | "Create a New Society" | Muammar Gaddafi | 25 min | July 9, 2021 |
| 6 | "Rule Forever" | Kim dynasty | 29 min | July 9, 2021 |
Production edit
The series was executive produced by David Ginsberg, Jake Laufer, Jonas Bell Pasht, Peter Dinklage, and Jonah Bekhor.[4] The series was released on Netflix on 9 July 2021.[5] The British Board of Film Classification issued a '15' certificate for the series.[6]
Reception edit
The series garnered criticism, especially for being centered only in socialist and fascist totalitarian governments, and for ignoring all the dictators and tyrants supported and enforced by the US, who leaned towards capitalism and neoliberalism, like Pinochet, Videla or Stroessner. Also, Jim Shannon objected that the series mostly ignored Mao Zedong.[7]
See also edit
- The Dictator's Handbook, by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith
References edit
- ^ Fishman, Scott (8 July 2021). "'How to Become a Tyrant' EPs on Series' Humor, Landing Narrator Peter Dinklage". TV Insider. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'How To Become A Tyrant' On Netflix, A Snarky Docuseries That Provides A "Handbook" On Becoming A Dictator". Decider.com. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
[...]How To Become A Tyrant, based on The Dictator's Handbook,[...]
- ^ "IMDb How to Become a Tyrant". IMDb. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandria (7 July 2021). "'How To Become A Tyrant': Peter Dinklage Narrates Dictator Playbook In Trailer For Netflix Historical Docuseries". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Berry, Jo (7 July 2021). "How to Become a Tyrant release date: Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage narrates Netflix doc". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. ISSN 0033-8060. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "How To Become A Tyrant". British Board of Film Classification. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Kula, Adam (May 15, 2022). "Netflix show How To Become a Tyrant is sweeping Mao's mass murder under the carpet says vocal China critic". News Letter. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
