Shake Hands with the Devil Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Canadian general tries to stop a horrific genocide, but the UN is like a super-passive roommate who refuses to help clean up.

🍿 Shake Hands with the Devil: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Rwanda and a Fragile Peace

In late 1993, Canadian General Romeo Dallaire arrives in Rwanda to lead the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). His task is to oversee a peace treaty between the Hutu-led government and the Tutsi-led rebel forces (RPF). The country is deeply divided along ethnic lines, exacerbated by colonial policies. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, tensions are high, and Dallaire receives troubling intelligence about Hutu extremists plotting mass violence.

Escalation and Ignored Warnings

Dallaire uncovers plans by hardline Hutu militia (Interahamwe) for widespread slaughter. He requests permission from the UN headquarters in New York to seize hidden weapons caches and take preemptive action to prevent the genocide. However, his requests are denied by UN superiors who are reluctant to authorize force or increase troop levels, insisting the mission remains strictly peacekeeping and does not involve intervention in internal affairs.

The Genocide Begins

The fragile peace shatters in April 1994 with the assassination of the Rwandan President. This act triggers a rapid, organized eruption of violence across the country. Hutu extremists and militia forces immediately begin systematically killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus. UNAMIR troops, ordered not to use force unless directly attacked and facing severely restricted rules of engagement, are overwhelmed.

A Mission Impossible

As the scale of the atrocities becomes clear, Dallaire is horrified and increasingly isolated. He continues to plead with the UN for reinforcements and a mandate to intervene, but his calls go largely unanswered. Instead of receiving help, the UN votes to drastically reduce the UNAMIR force, leaving Dallaire with a small contingent of troops from countries willing to stay, tasked with the impossible mission of protecting civilians amidst the carnage.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• General Romeo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis): The Canadian UN Force Commander desperately trying to prevent and stop the Rwandan genocide despite lack of support.
• Colonel Théoneste Bagosora (Michel Ange Nzojibwami): The Hutu extremist military figure who orchestrates the genocide.
• Major General Paul Kagame (Akin Omotoso): The leader of the Tutsi rebel forces (RPF) fighting against the genocidal government forces.
• Ghanian General Henry Anyidoho (Owen Sejake): A loyal second-in-command to General Dallaire who remains with the shrinking UN mission.
• Major Brent Beardsley (James Gallanders): A Canadian aide and key supporting officer on Dallaire’s frustrated UN peacekeeping team.
• Général Maurice Baril (Robert Lalonde): A superior officer at UN Headquarters representing the distant bureaucracy and lack of meaningful international intervention.
• Prime Minister Agathe (Odile Katesi Gakire): A moderate Hutu political leader attempting to maintain peace whose assassination serves as a catalyst for the genocide.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• General Romeo Dallaire: “We’re going to stay to bear witness to what the rest of the world doesn’t want to see.” – Said with determination to his depleted troops, emphasizing their crucial role in documenting the unfolding atrocities.
• General Romeo Dallaire: “For the UN, genocide is when there are cargo trains, concentration camps, and gas chambers.” – Expressed out of frustration, highlighting the bureaucratic denial and insufficient definition of the atrocities by the international community.
• General Romeo Dallaire: “No one ever forgets April, 1994 in Rwanda.” – A poignant statement made during a therapy session or voiceover, underscoring the film’s purpose to memorialize the victims and the tragic failure to intervene.
• General Romeo Dallaire: “I wasn’t trying to kill myself. I was trying to reduce the pain.” – Confessed during a therapy session back in Canada, revealing the deep psychological trauma and PTSD he suffered after the mission.

💰Box Office

• Budget: CA$11,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $594
• Worldwide Gross: $594

💥 Shake Hands with the Devil Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie hit me hard. I’d heard about the Rwandan genocide, but seeing it through General Dallaire’s eyes was incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking. I felt his helplessness and anger so strongly as he tried to get someone, *anyone*, to help. The scenes showing the sheer scale of the violence contrasted with the bureaucratic back-and-forth in New York were infuriating. It really made me think about the consequences of international inaction. Roy Dupuis’ performance felt so real, capturing the toll it took on the General. It’s definitely not an easy movie to watch, but I think it’s an important one everyone should see to understand this dark chapter in history and the failures that allowed it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas, particularly military history and the Rwandan genocide.”
  • “Audiences interested in the complexities of international peacekeeping missions and diplomacy.”
  • “Those seeking films that explore themes of human rights, global responsibility, and the psychological toll of conflict.”
  • “Fans of Roy Dupuis’s work.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of violence and genocide (though often implied or just off-screen, pervasive presence of corpses and aftermath).”
  • “Disturbing images.”
  • “Scenes of intense emotional distress and trauma.”
  • “Mature themes (war, death, ethnic cleansing, political failure).”

Professional Reviews

• Selected Review Excerpts: “Roger Spottiswoode’s film offers a powerful, albeit sometimes clumsy, account of the Rwandan genocide through the eyes of General Roméo Dallaire. Roy Dupuis delivers an uncannily accurate portrayal of the strained commander, capturing his frustration and despair. While it doesn’t shy away from the horrific reality, some critics noted a certain emotional distance compared to ‘Hotel Rwanda.’ Nevertheless, the film’s unflinching focus on bureaucratic failure and the world’s indifference makes it a vital, if difficult, watch.
• Selected Review Excerpts: “This Canadian docudrama plunges viewers into the heart of the 1994 Rwandan crisis, detailing General Dallaire’s desperate attempts to navigate international apathy and horrific violence. Filmed on location, it gains immense realism, though some find the direction uneven or Dupuis’ performance occasionally wooden. It’s a hard film to watch, but its historical importance and raw depiction of human failure are undeniable. It serves as a stark reminder of what happens when the world looks away.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were deeply moved by the film’s raw portrayal of the genocide.: The authenticity of the setting and the powerful performance by Roy Dupuis were widely praised.

The film successfully conveyed the overwhelming frustration of General Dallaire.: Audiences felt the movie was an essential, albeit difficult, historical account that highlighted global indifference.

Overall Consensus: A harrowing and important historical drama depicting the Rwandan genocide through the eyes of the frustrated UN commander, highlighting the devastating impact of international inaction and bureaucracy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roy Dupuis, who played General Romeo Dallaire, wore the actual ribbon bars from Dallaire’s medals during the time period depicted in the film, loaned to him by Dallaire.”
• “The film was extensively shot on location in Kigali, Rwanda, adding significant authenticity to the depiction of the events.”
• “Producers consciously decided against taking the project to Hollywood to maintain control over the narrative and prevent potential alterations to the true story.”
• “Many local Rwandans were cast in roles, with some having lived through the genocide depicted in the film.”
• “Budget constraints and difficulties obtaining permissions in Rwanda prevented the inclusion of large-scale civil war battle scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shake Hands with the Devil?

You can typically find ‘Shake Hands with the Devil’ available for digital purchase or rental through platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary over time, so it’s recommended to check major platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Max, or others in your region for current streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shake Hands with the Devil, you might like these similar films:

• Hotel Rwanda (2004): Directly compares by covering the same historical events, but from the perspective of a Rwandan hotel manager saving refugees, offering a ground-level view contrasting with Dallaire’s military perspective.
• Schindler’s List (1993): Thematically similar as it depicts a historical genocide and the efforts of individuals attempting to save lives amidst overwhelming evil and international indifference.
• Shooting Dogs (2005): Another film set during the Rwandan genocide, focusing on the experiences of a Catholic priest and an English teacher at a school overwhelmed by the violence, providing another specific perspective on the event.
• Beasts of No Nation (2015): A modern equivalent set in an unnamed West African country, depicting the horrors of civil war, child soldiers, and the psychological toll on those involved, sharing themes of brutality and lost innocence in conflict.
• The Killing Fields (1984): An era-specific alternative and thematic similarity, portraying the Cambodian genocide through the eyes of a journalist and his local guide, highlighting the atrocities and the world’s slow response.

🛒 Shake Hands with the Devil Related Products

• Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda (Book): The gripping, firsthand account by General Roméo Dallaire himself, detailing his experience commanding the ill-fated UN peacekeeping mission during the Rwandan genocide.
• Hotel Rwanda (DVD/Blu-ray or Digital): Another acclaimed film depicting the Rwandan genocide, focusing on the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved over a thousand people.
• We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda (Book): A Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Philip Gourevitch, compiling survivor testimonies and historical analysis to paint a broader picture of the genocide.
• The Last Just Man (Documentary): A powerful documentary film specifically about General Roméo Dallaire and his experience in Rwanda, featuring extensive interviews.

🎧 Soundtrack

Shake Hands with the Devil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Shake Hands with the Devil (Main Theme)” – performed by Normand Corbeil
• “Kigali, 1994” – performed by Normand Corbeil
• “The Weight of the World” – performed by Normand Corbeil
• “Bearing Witness” – performed by Normand Corbeil

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Romeo Dallaire and Roy Dupuis

Want to hear directly from the man the movie is about AND the actor who portrayed him? Getting insights from both Romeo Dallaire and Roy Dupuis side-by-side feels pretty special, offering a unique perspective on bringing this intense story to the screen.

Roy Dupuis-“Shake Hands With The Devil” interview in english

Curious to hear more from the real General Dallaire and actor Roy Dupuis talking about the film? This interview goes a bit deeper into their experience, and honestly, hearing them discuss it together really highlights the gravity of the story.

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