Storyville (TV Series) Mad Dog: Gaddafi's Secret World (2014) User Reviews

Very Informative but...

[demon-62 · 7/10 · 15 April 2014]

I found this documentary to be interesting and very informative but it leaves a huge chunk of the story out for some reason. It skips from the west's decision to rehabilitate Gaddafi directly to the west and NATO's decision to kill him. That's a very important element that should have been included. It also mentions the Arab Spring but does not explain how it tied into the story. Even with the two omissions I described, it was still compelling and well worth the watch. Especially if you're interested in the contentious relationship between the United States and Arab countries. If you have no idea who Gaddafi is or can't locate Libya on a map, you may have to do a little reading about Gaddafi to fully understand the former leader and what brought his reign of terror to an end.

While not the central focus of this documentary, the west's unquenchable thirst for oil is prominently on display throughout the film. As a proud American, it sickens me to know we were willing to overlook hundreds of thousands of executions, Gaddafi's hunt for a nuclear weapon, state sponsored terrorism and state funded terrorist boot camps, and the terrorist hijacking of a plane that killed 243 passengers (189 from America), all because a sociopathic dictator had control of large oil deposits that American & UK oil companies wanted a piece of. It sickens me the core.

Rather One-Note Profile of a Legendary Dictator

[l_rawjalaurence · 6/10 · 11 August 2014]

Christopher Oligiati's film is notable for the fact that he has managed to interview many people involved in the Gadaafi regime that hitherto have never agreed to speak on camera. They include a former female bodyguard, one of his closest chiefs of staff, two arms dealers from the US, who are both wanted by the FBI, and his former ambassador to Washington. Cumulatively they paint a portrait of a dictator who over the years became increasingly eccentric in his behavior, not only believing that everyone was out to assassinate him, but satisfying his sexual tastes with a procession of young boys and girls from high school or university. Anyone daring to cross him in public - or even refer to him derogatorily - was ruthlessly disposed of. All this might be true, but what GADAAFI'S SECRET WORLD really fails to explain is why the dictator lasted so long in power. It could have been because he eliminated all his enemies; but what was most apparent about him was his capacity to charm people. Although responsible for many atrocities worldwide, he largely escaped censure: even in his last years he was shown happily greeting President Berlusconi from Italy, or shaking hands with Tony Blair. Maybe this was due to his position at the head of a country with vast oil resources (everyone had to be nice to him to ensure their stocks were kept up), but there was more to it than that. What the documentary does not acknowledge is there was a public and private side to the dictator; and in many cases the public side assumed greater significance. Hence his ability to remain in power for over three decades. This documentary has much to say, but in the end the allegations about Gadaafi's private life become rather monotonous.

Outstanding!

[JSGo66 · 10/10 · 19 March 2014]

This is one of the very best documentaries I have seen. Ever. Caught it on broadcast T.V. on March 18, 2014, and immediately went to the channel's web to see it again. Twice. The detail and storyline are spellbinding.

Interesting observation: Western leaders who participated in the Colonel's (temporary) resurrection--as depicted by warm handshakes and hugs--were Berlusconi, Blair, and Bush. BBB. What a surprise.

I was not familiar with this director, but will look into his earlier productions as well. This is his latest effort, with a (c) 2014 date, so it is indeed fresh off the shelf.