Talk:Saddam Hussein

Request for comment: Lead image

Over the past few months, there has been a slow but considerable churn over the image in the lead of the article. In the interests of establishing an affirmative consensus, I have started this RfC. Please state your preference and reasons for it. The two proposed versions are Option A/Option B, shown below. Feel free to suggest Option C (other) as well. -- Sławomir Biały (talk) 13:19, 14 May 2026 (UTC)

• 
  Option A
• 
  Option B

Option B, it is more formal and official, the former looks more like a modern event photograph rather than a classic lead image. MedalDot (talk) 01:39, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

• Option B. It is an official portrait. No teeth are showing and the subject is facing the camera rather than off to the side. The cleft chin is visible in option B and not in option A. Sławomir Biały (talk) 18:37, 14 May 2026 (UTC)
• B front on and facial features are much clearer. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 10:41, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Option B. The portrait conveys a much more official approach, as he is much more recognizable during this time period. People need to understand he was a very famous man before his presidency, as when he was Field Marshal, Vice President, and when he was apart of the Iraqi-Kurdish Wars. A is a very informal image, it appears as if it was an unscheduled photo taken during a speech. Option B is obviously staged, prepared, and meant to look official. I also have to agree with 1brianm7 that the pose for B is much better, as he is actually facing the camera. FromtheArab (talk) 02:43, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose anything from when he wasn't president, I think I might've started this by boldly changing it to Option A from a 1960s image in December, on the basis that the image really needs to be when he was president. I think I still have a slight preference for Option A, as Option B is from the beginning of his rule and A better represents him as he was for what he is best known: invading Iran and Kuwait and being invaded by the U.S. B is also color-coded worse IMO, but I agree that his pose is much better in it. 1brianm7 (talk) 02:20, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

  • (Brought here from RFC/A) - Agree with 1brianm7's above logic. I think we should use a portrait from when Hussein was president, arguably his most notable time. Although I would say this is splitting hairs, both are similar and useable.

  MaximusEditor (talk) 02:42, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

• Option B as it looks more formal and better shows his facial features

Grilledcheeseisgreat ^✉ 02:32, 19 May 2026 (UTC)

• Option B despite the coloring being a little dated. The image is still clear, he's facing the camera, notable identifying features are present, and the image is from when he was most notable. WP:SNOW Pistongrinder (talk) 13:36, 19 May 2026 (UTC)
• Option B For the reasons stated. JerryGraf (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 22:37, 19 May 2026 (UTC)

Option A,(summoned by bot) simply clearer and more recognisable image. I don't understand the emphasis on 'formality', modern news images are often relatively unstaged looking and it isn't as though this is a picture of him relaxing at home in his garden. It is clearly a public setting.Pincrete (talk) 04:24, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

• Option B shows a better view of his face and looks higher-resolution. Cesiumslate9 (talk) 22:18, 24 May 2026 (UTC)

• Option B - Option A is overly grainy and of poor quality and shows more awkward side angle of his face. Option B has higher resolution, better lighting and provides a clearer, more suitable portrait showing him at least facing forward.JaredMcKenzie (talk) 22:05, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Option B - Even though the image looks dated, it feels like a more accurate representation of his character and feels more serious. —Zujine|talk 13:10, 26 May 2026 (UTC)

Option A- for the simple fact that it is better quality imo. However, I understand the argument about it not being a fully frontal pic. Episteme Aletheia (talk) 23:48, 28 May 2026 (UTC)

Option C - I'd say the image from 2004 makes more sense. 2026-33316-58 (talk) 15:25, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Option B - It shows his facial features more clearly. ―Howard • 🌽³³ 17:22, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Option A or C. Option A is more recognizable and higher quality, however I see why people would want B, for the angle... For me to think of chosing Option B, Some color grading is to be had. 2x2x2x2x2 (talk) 01:06, 7 June 2026 (UTC)

Option B, it appears to be more formal, that said File:SaddamHussein 2004July01 cropped.jpg appears to be the most recent, and if I were to support Option C that would be what I would go for.--RightCowLeftCoast (Moo) 23:28, 8 June 2026 (UTC)

Option C, it appears to be more modern, that said File:Saddam Hussein at trial, July 2004.JPEG appears to be the most modern, and if I were to support Option C that would be what I would go for. — Preceding unsigned comment added by ~2026-36147-50 (talk) 14:45, 22 June 2026 (UTC)

Option B, looks more as a portrait. Shadow4dark (talk) 04:26, 29 June 2026 (UTC)

semi-protected edit request

In the section "Reception and legacy", replace the last paragraph with the below.

Cultural depictions of Saddam can be found in various movies, including three films made about Saddam. The docudrama Saddam's Tribe, released in 2007, explores the complex relationship between Saddam Hussein and the Al-Bu Nasir, a powerful Arab tribe in Iraq to which Saddam belonged. The 2008 BBC/HBO TV miniseries House of Saddam in which he is played by Israeli actor Igal Naor charts his life. In 2024, it was announced that Irish actor Barry Keoghan would appear as a U.S. soldier guarding the dictator in a new movie about Saddam's final days. ~2026-40426-27 (talk) 02:37, 21 August 2026 (UTC)