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jeff_v [ 6.0 ]
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One of Chaplin's weakest films, The Great Dictator lacks the subtlety and grace that distinguished his earlier features. It's not funny when it's supposed to be (the Italian dictator was particularly annoying), and it takes itself too seriously overall (note that's not the same thing as saying it takes its subject too seriously). There is one sublime scene though: Chaplin as the dictator kicking the inflatable globe around. It's a silent scene, and it seems to prove that Chaplin never got the hang of sound; all of his dialogue scenes sound awkward and forced --the speech at the end is particularly embarrassing.
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Love_Spoon [ 7.5 ]
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Brilliant, funny, and sometimes poignant satire of the Nazi atrocities of World War Two. What makes it even more interesting (and prophetic) is that filming of the movie began in 1937, well before the nazi menace became widely publicized. Charlie Chaplin plays a dual role: Adenoid Hynkel, Dictator of Tomania; and a lowly Jewish Barber. The whole story is a culmination toward its ending, when... well, I won't spoil it for you, but it's very good. The film has some great sight gags, such as when Chaplin is unknowingly flying upside-down in a plane, and his pocket watch keeps "falling up," and he keeps putting it in his pocket, etc. At other times, like I said, the humor is momentarily set aside to focus on the horror of the holocaust. Altogether a great effort from Chaplin, and an American classic.
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DeadCanadian [ 9.0 ]
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"The Great Dictator" (Chaplin's first talkie) stars Charlie Chaplin as Hitler. That's all I have to say to make those of you with the same bad taste as me want to see this movie. But the rest of you may be harder to convince, so I'll try to do that. Charlie Chaplin plays a duel role as both Analoyd Hynkel (Hitler), dictator of Tomalia(Germany) and a Jewish barber who lives in the ghetto. From this, you know that sooner or later. Well, it's later and Chaplin is smart enough to not go with formula and get all of his humor out of that. Chaplin is hilarious in both of his roles (especially Hynkel), as is whoever plays Benzino Napolini (Mussolini), dicatator of Bacteria (Italy). The movie's ending speech would normally seem out-of-place and overly preachy in any other movie, but here it's very appropriate. My only problem with this movie is that almost no one speaks the correct accent (and why is a Jew quoting from the Book of Luke, anyway), but I ignored that and enjoyed the film. Overall, a great movie that's even more amazing when you realize that it was made when Hitler was in power and this was current news. Go rent this movie now (if you can find it, that is).
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| Weighted Rating | : 7.6 |
| No. Ratings | : 9 | |
| No. Reviews | : 3 | |
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