The Supreme Review: The Dictator (2012) – The Unrated Blu-ray Experience
Admiral General Aladeen has arrived in high definition, and he is not here to negotiate. If you thought the theatrical version of Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2012 satire was outrageous, the Unrated Blu-ray edition is a whole different level of political incorrectness.
Here is why this physical release belongs in your collection—or why it might get you banished to the Wadiyan desert. The "Unrated" Difference
According to the The Dictator FAQ on IMDb, the Unrated Version runs approximately 15 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. This isn’t just a few extra seconds of a joke; it includes:
Deleted & Extended Scenes: Substantial chunks of footage that were deemed too "choice" for general audiences.
Rude & Crude: The satire is sharper and the "blue" humor is significantly more graphic, leaning into the shock comedy Baron Cohen is famous for.
Alternate Footage: Some scenes were entirely replaced or removed from the theatrical cut to streamline the story for cinemas, making the Blu-ray the definitive way to see the director's full vision. The Plot: Oppressing Democracy
The film tells the "heroic" story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy never comes to the country he so lovingly oppresses. When Aladeen is summoned to New York to address the UN, he is betrayed and stripped of his identity, forcing him to live as a commoner while a dim-witted body double prepares to sign a democratic constitution. Blu-ray Specs & Features
Watching this on Blu-ray is the only way to truly appreciate the "golden" aesthetic of Wadiya.
Visuals: Crystal clear 1080p highlights the vibrant, over-the-top costumes and the bustling (and often chaotic) streets of NYC.
Audio: The soundtrack—a hilarious collection of Western pop hits covered in Arabic—sounds fantastic in DTS-HD Master Audio.
Bonus Content: Look out for the "Larry King Interview" and "Wadiyan Games" featurettes, which provide more of Baron Cohen's improvisational genius. The Verdict
Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. If you are easily offended, stay far away. But for fans of Borat and Brüno, the Unrated Blu-ray is the ultimate version of a film that manages to be both incredibly stupid and surprisingly biting in its social commentary.
As Aladeen would say, it's very "Aladeen" (that's a good thing). The Dictator (2012) - FAQ - IMDb
The standout feature of the "Banned & Unrated" Blu-ray The Dictator (2012) is the inclusion of an Extended Unrated Cut , which adds roughly 15 to 20 minutes of footage not seen in theaters
While the unrated cut maintains the same core plot, it introduces several notable additions: The "Tit Fight" Sequence The Dictator -2012- BluRay UNRATED
: A bizarre and outrageous scene where one of Aladeen’s former female bodyguards, Etra, attempts to assassinate him using her oversized breasts as weapons. Extended Cameos
: Characters like Larry King and the performer "Busty Heart" have more prominent or exclusive screen time in this version. Raunchier Content
: The cut features extra dialogue and extended "love scenes" that push the film's R-rated boundaries even further. Additional Special Features
Beyond the unrated version itself, the Blu-ray includes approximately 34 minutes of supplementary material: High Def Digest Deleted and Extended Scenes
: 15 distinct sequences, including an explanation of why Ben Kingsley’s character was skipped in the line of succession and more jokes about the Broadway show Billy Elliot "Your Money is on the Dresser" Music Video
: A full music video featuring Sacha Baron Cohen’s character and a cameo by his real-life wife, Isla Fisher. Larry King Interview
: An extended, uncensored version of the interview seen in the film, which includes additional controversial jokes. Note on Quality
: Some reviewers have noted that because the unrated scenes are seamlessly branched
into the theatrical cut, there can be slight, noticeable shifts in video quality or color grading between the original and added footage. specific scene or wanting to know if this version is available on any streaming platforms The Dictator (2012) - FAQ - IMDb
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The Dictator - 2012 - BluRay UNRATED: A Hilarious Satire of Authoritarian Regimes
In 2012, director Sacha Baron Cohen brought to the big screen a biting satire of authoritarian regimes with "The Dictator". The film, released on BluRay in its UNRATED version, stars Baron Cohen as both the tyrannical President of the fictional Republic of Turania, Admiral General Aladeen, and as a lookalike Jewish-American taxi driver, Efim. The movie's sharp wit, clever writing, and fearless performance by Baron Cohen make "The Dictator" a laugh-out-loud comedy that also cleverly critiques the absurdities of dictatorial power.
The Plot: A Tale of Two Men
The story begins with Admiral General Aladeen, a dictator with a penchant for luxury, women, and, above all, himself. His regime is marked by brutal suppression of dissent, a clear disdain for democracy, and a bizarre obsession with his own virility. However, when Aladeen travels to the United Nations in New York City, a plot to overthrow him leads to his escape, leaving behind his lookalike, Efim, a shy and awkward Jewish-American who bears an uncanny resemblance to the dictator.
Efim becomes embroiled in a complex situation when the real Aladeen, disguised as a pizza delivery guy, attempts to retrieve a valuable cache of gold. As Aladeen tries to use Efim to get back to his gold and his country, they form an unlikely friendship that plays on their starkly different backgrounds and personalities. Through a series of misadventures, the two navigate the complexities of American society, international diplomacy, and the nature of power. The Supreme Review: The Dictator (2012) – The
Satire and Social Commentary
"The Dictator" shines as a brilliant satire, tackling serious issues with humor and irony. Baron Cohen's performance as Aladeen caricatures the stereotypical dictator, exaggerating the ego, paranoia, and isolationism that often characterize such leaders. At the same time, the film does not shy away from critiquing Western societies, particularly the United States, highlighting issues such as the complicity of Western powers in supporting authoritarian regimes, the superficiality of celebrity culture, and the everyday struggles of ordinary people.
The movie is particularly noted for its fearless approach to sensitive topics. Baron Cohen does not hold back in lampooning the racism, homophobia, and xenophobia that can be prevalent in certain cultures, using Aladeen's outrageous statements and actions to expose the absurdity and harm of such attitudes. The film also cleverly uses satire to comment on the contradictions within American society, from its ideals of freedom and equality to its realities of inequality and injustice.
The BluRay UNRATED Version: A Definitive Release
The BluRay UNRATED version of "The Dictator" offers the most comprehensive viewing experience of the film. This version includes additional scenes and more explicit content that were edited out of the theatrical release, providing fans with an even deeper dive into the world of Admiral General Aladeen and Efim. The high-definition video and surround sound enhance the comedic effect of the film, making it feel more immersive and engaging.
Conclusion
"The Dictator - 2012 - BluRay UNRATED" is a hilarious and thought-provoking satire that uses humor to critique the absurdities of authoritarian power and societal norms. With its sharp script, brilliant performance by Sacha Baron Cohen, and its fearless approach to sensitive topics, the film is not only entertaining but also offers a commentary on our times. The BluRay UNRATED version provides a definitive release for fans, offering more content and a superior viewing experience. Whether you're a comedy fan, a satire enthusiast, or simply looking for a movie that will make you laugh and think, "The Dictator" is a must-watch.
Technical Specifications:
Recommendation: If you're looking for a movie that combines humor with social commentary, "The Dictator - 2012 - BluRay UNRATED" is highly recommended. It's a film that not only provides laughs but also prompts viewers to reflect on the state of our world and the nature of power and governance.
The 2012 Paramount Home Entertainment Blu-ray release of The Dictator
features a 99-minute "Banned & Unrated" cut, adding 15–16 minutes of additional gags, explicit scenes, and extended dialogue compared to the theatrical version. This two-disc set includes a 1080p transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, over 30 minutes of special features, and a digital copy. Read the full review at High Def Digest High Def Digest Dictator, The (Comparison: Theatrical Version - Unrated)
The Extended Version. Running more than 15 minutes longer, the unrated version offers a lot of additional footage. Also, several ( Movie-Censorship.com The Dictator - Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
The 2012 Blu-ray release of The Dictator is most commonly found in the "Banned & Unrated" Edition, which offers a significantly different experience from the standard theatrical cut. Key Version Differences
The Unrated Version (99 mins): This cut adds approximately 15–20 minutes of footage not seen in theaters.
The Theatrical Version (83 mins): Also included on the disc for those who prefer the faster-paced original cut. Quick Checklist Before Purchase
New Content: The unrated version includes additional dialogue, extended scenes of Aladeen's father, and more explicit sexual humor, such as the "breast fight" sequence between Aladeen and a bodyguard. Technical Specifications
According to IMDb and Blu-ray.com, the technical specs for this release are: Video: 1080p High Definition; 2.40:1 aspect ratio.
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, with additional tracks in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Subtitles: Available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Bonus Features and Extras Dictator, The (Comparison: Theatrical Version - Unrated)
The Extended Version. Running more than 15 minutes longer, the unrated version offers a lot of additional footage. Also, several ( Movie-Censorship.com The Dictator - Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
Here’s a quick guide to The Dictator (2012) — specifically the BluRay UNRATED version.
While the film lacks the dangerous, raw tension of Borat, it compensates with a relentless barrage of gags. The humor is typically Cohen: crude, offensive, and boundary-pushing. However, underneath the low-brow jokes about body functions and stereotypes lies a sharp satirical edge. The film mocks Western perceptions of the Middle East, the absurdity of autocracy, and the hypocrisy of American politics.
The standout moment remains Aladeen’s speech near the end of the film, where he compares a dictatorship to the finer points of American infrastructure and finance—a rare moment of political wit that hits remarkably hard.
Upon its release, the UNRATED BluRay became a cult object. While the theatrical cut grossed $179 million worldwide, it was the home video market that truly embraced the film. Critics who panned the theatrical cut as "broad" or "safe" revisited the UNRATED version and admitted they had been too harsh.
The uncensored cut highlights a tragic truth about studio comedies in the 2010s: the MPAA’s obsession with the "R-rating ceiling" neutered satirical intent. The UNRATED version of The Dictator is not just dirtier; it is smarter. The extra lines of dialogue clarify Aladeen’s hypocrisy—he condemns democracy while literally using a "People’s Wheel of Pain" in his basement. The removed jokes about the UN Security Council’s impotence are sharper than anything in the theatrical finale.
As of 2025, physical media is enjoying a boutique resurgence. Here is how to secure the true version of the film:
You might ask: Why specifically the BluRay? Isn’t a digital download the same? For most films, yes. For The Dictator, no.
When Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Dictator hit theaters in 2012, audiences expected chaos. They got it—but not the full dose. The theatrical cut, rated R, delivered plenty of laughs, but like a censored state broadcast from the fictional Republic of Wadiya itself, it felt like something was being hidden from us.
Enter the 2012 Blu-Ray UNRATED Edition. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. This is the comedic equivalent of pulling back the curtain on a tyrant. Here is why this specific disc deserves a spot on your shelf.