Series synopsis
The Dictator's Playbook is an American documentary television series that premiered on PBS on June 2, 2018. It ended on July 7, 2018. It was created by Mark Stevenson. It stars Tim Beckmann.
Learn how six dictators, from Mussolini to Saddam Hussein, shaped the 20th century. How did they seize and lose power? What forces were against them? Learn the answers in these six immersive hours, each a revealing portrait of brutality and power.
Premise
Learn how six dictators, from Mussolini to Saddam Hussein, shaped the 20th century. How did they seize and lose power? What forces were against them? Learn the answers in these six immersive hours, each a revealing portrait of brutality and power.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Tim Beckmann as Narrator
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 6 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | June 2, 2018 | July 7, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Kim Il Sung A look at the methods used by Kim il Sung to transform North Korea into the most controlled society on Earth. After taking power in 1950, Kim's regime attempted to shape every aspect of its citizens' lives, down to their very perception of reality. Today, his grandson Kim Jung Un maintains the family tradition of wielding absolute power and brainwashing citizens to believe that the Kims are gods, and that they live in a paradise on Earth. |
June 2, 2018 |
| 2 |
Saddam Hussein An examination of the techniques and tactics Saddam Hussein used to rise from a low level enforcer to become the supreme leader of Iraq. Through his brutal use of violence, intimidation and torture Saddam Hussein managed to rule the nation for nearly a quarter of a century until he was finally deposed by US forces during the Invasion of Iraq in 2003. Few dictators loom so large in recent history. |
June 9, 2018 |
| 3 |
Benito Mussolini A study of the methods used by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini to rise to power and turn Italy into the first fascist state. A master of propaganda, he dubbed himself "Il Duce" (the leader) and delivered bombastic speeches in which he idealized a fascist culture and promised to return Italy to the grandeur of Ancient Rome. Instead he created a one-party dictatorship and kept his grip on power for two long decades. |
June 16, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | June 2, 2018 |
| Last aired | July 7, 2018 |
| Runtime | 54 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 19:00:00 |