Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3400 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-25
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 117 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Solidly built around a subtle yet commanding performance by Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda emerged as one of the most highly-praised dramas of 2004. In a role that demands his quietly riveting presence in nearly every scene, Cheadle plays real-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in the Rwandan capital of Kigali who in 1994 saved 1,200 Rwandan "guests" from certain death during the genocidal clash between tribal Hutus, who slaughtered a million victims, and the horrified Tutsis, who found safe haven or died. Giving his best performance since his breakthrough role in Devil in a Blue Dress, Cheadle plays Rusesabagina as he really was during the ensuing chaos: "an expert in situational ethics" (as described by critic Roger Ebert), doing what he morally had to do, at great risk and potential sacrifice, with an understanding that wartime negotiations are largely a game of subterfuge, cooperation, and clever bribery. Aided by a United Nations official (Nick Nolte), he worked a saintly miracle, and director Terry George (Some Mother's Son) brings formidable social conscience to bear on a true story you won't soon forget. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Synopsis
Don Cheadle gives a riveting performance as Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of a European-owned hotel in Rwanda, who created a secret refugee camp for the Tutsi people during the brutal genocide committed against them by the Hutu people in 1994. His efforts helped to save 1200 lives out of close to a million who were killed. HOTEL RWANDA shows this man's courage, while also capturing the political events that occurred between April and September '94. First, United Nations soldiers are restricted from fighting back against Hutu guerillas, even after the Rwandan president is assassinated and the country is thrown into chaos. But as the fighting worsens, all non-Rwandans including UN peacekeepers, Europeans, and Americans are evacuated. This leaves the Tutsi people defenceless against aggressive Hutus who are armed with machine guns and machetes. While working the system with strategic phone calls to powerful international contacts of the hotel, Rusesabagina also uses smart lies and power plays to hold off the Hutus. The morale among the refugees is low, but because they are protected from the inconceivable brutality happening outside the hotel's gates, they maintain a sense of hope. Powerful acting from all cast members, including throngs of children, makes this film touching and believable. Sophie Okonedo offers moving support as Rusesabagina's wife Tatiana, Nick Nolte shows knowing machismo as an American UN officer, and Joaquin Phoenix turns in a heartfelt display as a TV journalist. But it is the delicate treatment that director Terry George gives the insane, helpless situation depicted in HOTEL RWANDA which makes the film so penetrating. While the violence and gore of the genocide play a disturbing part in the film, the focus lies on the heroism of its protagonist and the strength with which he navigates under seemingly impossible odds.

Customer Reviews

Exceptionally brilliant
Based on a true story, Hotel Rwanda is by far one of the most powerful and emotionally stirring films I've seen this year. Terry George's second film shows us that we can expect great things from this man. It seems his pairing with Jim Sheridan has allowed him to learn so much from him and exibits that he has learnt everything there is to know from the great director and become one himself. The film takes place during the genocide in Rwanda when the Hutu extremists commenced a mass slauter of the Tutsi minority. While the killing happened all that the western powers did was ignore this atrocity until the Tutsi rebels had driven the extremists out. This story is about Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) a Hutu who used the hotel he ran to save the lives of innocent Tutsis by sheltering them within the hotel. Cheadle gives a powerful performance as the wealthy manager who cleverly uses his high connections with both the western world and Hutu officials to save as many as he could. Hotel Rwanda's most impressive scene is when the western countries order that all their citizens be evacuated. George masterfully makes you feel shame (if you live in a western country) that your country participated in that and turned a blind eye to the death that was going on in Rwanda in that order of cowardice. I highly recommend this film if you have even the slightest interest, I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Is Blood Thicker than Water?
Don Cheadle plays the character Paul Rusesabagina, of the Hutu tribe. His wife is from the Tutsis and as the violence escalates you anticipate some kind of family betrayal. But Paul is in love with his wife and loves his family, and as he realises the extent of the suffering in his community he refuses to let tribal loyalties interfere with his relationships there. Paul Rusesabagina is an inspirational man and the world should be made aware of what he did. This is a film worthy of the "celluloid".

However, this film pulls no punches. It neither gilds the corruption, perfumes the betrayals nor sanitises the atrocities suffered by the Rwandans. Neither does it rationalise the ignorance or selfishness of the West. Yet, in so doing it gives a short sharp shock to the ostrich in all of us and surprisingly we are left with a thoroughly engaging account of events.

You may believe that, "Blood is thicker than water", and that family comes first, but by the end of the film you can't help asking yourself how you would behave in the same position. Would you be courageous and compassionate enough to do as he did or would you be looking after No.1?

A movie and performance you won't forget
An extraordinary civilian view into the implosion of Rwandan politics 13 years ago.

While everyone around him is consumed by fear, Paul Rusesabagina rises above the desertion of the West and uses every dissipating means at his disposal in an effort to coerce both Hutu and Western officials in saving his family, his friends, his staff, other refugees and lastly himself against just about every obstacle imaginable.

Nearly as devastating as the violence escalating around them is the impotence of the UN and the treachery through complacency of the West: '[They'll say] that's horrible...then go on eating their dinner' being one of the most startling truths of the whole event.

Don Cheadle absolutely consumed this role and although it's a well-worn cliche his performance gives the impression that this role was for him alone. He thoroughly deserves every accolade he has received most notably the Oscar nomination.

The production does on occasion give the impression of a made-for-tv movie sometimes due to the lighting sometimes the camera work but overall both the quality of the acting and the story of unwavering courage amongst unspeakable savagery are more than enough to make this feature unforgettable.