Stream it now The Great Dictator Reset Status Want to Watch Already Watched Don't Want to Watch

Because everyone should watch Charlie Chaplin's amazing satire of the 3rd Reich.... Made in 1941, 9 months before the US entered WWII, Chaplin plays both Hitler (renamed Hynkel) and the Tramp as a Jewish Barbeer (his recurring film persona), creating one of the most interesting dual performances of all time. It ranks with Dr. Strangelove as one of the most clever scripts ever written.

I went to a concert today. The most famous estrade conductor in Estonia, conducting a set of Charlie Chaplin film music among other things. The music was arranged for a standard orchestra by him. Also, a Broadway star and a local star were the solists.

I've gotta say it's quite good. It had two renditions of Chaplin's Smile (an instrumental, and one with solists), the other one sucked though, because the local star was no good. Also we heard the famous "Who'll buy my violets" and the Theme from Limelight. Those were quite good. As for more modern stuff, the Broadway star sang John Kander's Cabaret from Cabaret, and Jud Friedman's "Run to you" from a movie called the Bodyguard, which I haven't seen. The first half was ended with an audience sing-along of "Colonel Bogey March" from The Bridge over the river Kwai.

The second half was even better, with notable perfomances being the Theme from Marlene Dietrich's Goldne Earrings, Beautiful Wonderful Eyes from City Lights, and "This is My Song" from A countess from Hong Kong.

There was also the well sung, yet generally awful "My Heart Will Go On", from you-know-where.

And finally, finally, finally. The last song. the finale.

"Into the West" by Howard Shore and Frances Walsh

Comments pending.

F

The Great Dictator was Charlie Chaplins very first talking movie, and he did an amazing job. Chaplin, who plays a Jewish Baber and a Crazy Dictator, gives us quite the spoof one a serious subject. Hykel, the crazy tyrant who takes over tomania, wants to eliminate all jews (and brunettes). Through his funny sounding speeches and quite the ego, tries to evade a country, but he needs the money from a jewish man, so he becomes nice to the jewish people. The barber refuses, and from there its a roller coaster ride of laughs, and fun to watch. A great black and white classic that you should check out! :fresh:

Well, I now know that I prefer Chaplin's silent films over his work with sound. Modern Times used to sit on the bottom of my list of Chaplin films I've seen, but this has now taken its place. It's not that it's a bad film, in fact it's good, but it's not great, and that's something I've come to expect from The Tramp.

I think my biggest problem with the film is the clunky feel of the whole thing. Sometimes a drama, other times a comedy, the transitions are awkward and that makes much of the comedy hard to laugh at. Not that the film needed to be really funny. I loved A Woman of Paris and that was far from a comedy. I would have enjoyed seeing Chaplin star in a serious role. I just wish this film hadn't flip-flopped so much.

It did have its moments, such as the coin in the muffin sequence, as well as Hynkel's efforts to get Napoloni to sit in the small chair in order to appear more prominent, and as I said I enjoyed the film overall. As a message to the world around him, Chaplin did a very noble and brave job and the film should be commended for that. His speech at the end was very poignant and touching, even though it felt a tad out of place. Unfortunately the sum was not greater than its parts.

My opinion is not the majority on this film, that's for sure. As I said, it probably comes down to personal preference. I can certainly see why this film is so highly regarded. I just find Chaplin's silent comedies more appealing and enjoy them much more. Still, it was certainly worth seeing, especially if you're a Chaplin fan like myself.

My first Charlie Chaplin experience and I loved it. It has some wonderfully funny moments, beautiful performances by Charlie Chaplin, and it has one of the most incredible, powerful ending speeches I have ever heard in a movie.

I just thought it was incredible. Words can't describe how much I loved this movie.

It's going high up in my top 100.

Thanks so much Steve. Merry Christmas!

ratings

It gave me chills. I laughed at the unlaughable. Yes, there is that fairy tale false ending, which we have to read as a commonplace of the comedy genre of the time. The final speech still works. They say it was cheesy even at the time, but the force he displays when delivering it! You must see that. Naive, charming and... a bit scary.

A masterpiece. This guy Chaplin got a nerve, he made the movie with his own money, and it was released the day Hitler arrived in Paris!
Laugh at the devil, and you make him weak. Well done, Mr Chaplin. Thank you for your movie.

Chaplin's speech at the very end of this funny movie is alone worth the price of admission.