The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu
The Film Desk | Release Date: September 9, 2011 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
87
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 8 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Time OutDavid FearSep 6, 2011
An epic indictment of media manipulation, this avant-doc delivers its coup de grâce once the camera finally demands accountability - leaving the disgraced despot staring into the lens, and the abyss of history staring back into him. Read full review
90
The New York TimesManohla DargisSep 8, 2011
In many respects Ceausescu turns out to be as much the author of this brilliant documentary as the director, Andrei Ujica, who waded through more than 1,000 hours of filmed state propaganda, official news reports and home movies to create a cinematic tour de force that tracks the rise, reign and grim fall of its subject. Read full review
88
Washington PostAnn HornadayOct 13, 2011
A must-see for any student of history, political rhetoric and film poetics at their most vagrant and revelatory. Read full review
88
Slant MagazineMichael NordineSep 6, 2011
Manages to be intimate and impersonal at the same time, a trait constantly reinforced by his portrayal of not only Ceausescu but the populace he led, represented, and controlled for nearly three decades. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubNoel MurraySep 7, 2011
Most likely, The Autobiography Of Nicolae Ceausescu will mean the most to actual Romanians, who will recognize the locations and fashions, and may even know what the government's documentarians left out of the picture. But the movie offers plenty to captivate even outsiders. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesMark OlsenOct 9, 2011
With its hefty running time, the film builds an unexpected emotional resonance, though never exactly sympathy, as over the years Ceausescu seems to drift further and further into his fantasy vision of himself, making the film like a loop that repeats endlessly in his head. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterPeter BrunetteSep 6, 2011
Informative and, especially in its last hour, surprisingly dramatic. Read full review
70
Boxoffice MagazineVadim RizovSep 6, 2011
The title's no joke: the film presents Ceausescu as he presented himself to the world and wanted to be remembered. Read full review
More From This Movie

87 Critic Reviews

4.0 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL