Amin would give long diatribes to the camera about his bizarre theories about politics and economics.
General Idi Amin was one of the cruelest dictators in modern history. (Le Figaro Films)
He would also conduct army drills and stage mock assaults to demonstrate his military prowess.
But Schroeder released two versions of the documentary – one to be shown in Uganda, and the other to be shown in the rest of the world.
Outside of Uganda, Amin was seen as unpredictable, delusional and monstrous.
In one scene, Amin told off a cabinet member.
The documentary noted the politician would be found dead in a river two weeks later.
But the suspicious Amin asked Libyan agents to watch the alternate cut of the movie in Britain and report back to him.
When he found out how the movie depicted him, Amin was enraged.
The film was presented as a flattering hagiography in Uganda, but presented the truth elsewhere. (Le Figaro Films)
He took almost 200 French nationals hostage in Uganda and gave them Schroeder’s home phone number in France.
They were instructed to tell him they would not be released until he re-edited the documentary to Amin’s liking.
Schroeder gave in and made the requested changes.
It would not be until Amin was overthrown five years later that the full movie was re-released.
The film had failed to capture just how evil the Amin regime was.
In his eight years in power, Amin presided over the murders of as many as half a million Ugandans.
Barbet Schroeder had to re-edit the film to save the lives of 200 hostages. (Le Figaro Films)
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.