After instigating the overthrow of President Ahmed Hassan Al-Bakr, Saddam Hussein becomes the Iraqi president in 1979. As he begins his reign of terror and purges, he maintains his relationship with his sons Uday and Qusay.
After Saddam declares victory in the war with Iran in 1988, Iraq faces bankruptcy. Saddam's wife Sajida learns that he has taken a new wife, Samira. Saddam launches a war against Kuwait, and the US organizes an international coalition to drive his forces out.
The situation deteriorates in 1995 due to UN sanctions on Iraq, and Saddam has to make fateful decisions. General Hussein Kamel offers to cooperate with the UN and the CIA, as he plans to oust Saddam.
As U.S. forces take over Baghdad in 2003, Saddam and his sons are forced into hiding. After Uday, Qusay, and Qusay's son Mustapha are killed while exchanging fire with the American troops, Saddam is finally captured and sentenced to death.