Review of The Great Dictator (1940) by Ryan D — 15 Jul 2008

This film, which is directed by, written by, produced by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. Despite the fact this film was released in 1940 and his previous film was released in 1936, this is Chaplin's first talking picture (The Jazz Singer, the first talking picture, came out in 1927). This film satirizes Nazism and Adolf Hitler. In the film Chaplin plays the dictator of a fictional nation along with and a Jewish barber living in a ghetto. The plot basically tells what happens as the war progresses. The plot was sort of slow at times, but overall it wasn't bad.

As for the acting, it's kind of hard to really rate. This is the first time I've seen any of Chaplin's work and he seemed pretty good I guess. His comedic style, while good, seemed very strange in a film of this nature. I didn't find many parts of the film all that funny, but I didn't think the film was ever inappropriate in its use of would-be comedy. The supporting cast was nothing special, but they were adequate. The star of this film is Chaplin and he plays his two roles rather well.

Overall, this is quite different. This is one of Chaplin's most highly-regarded films, his best box office success, and easily his most popular talking picture. The film's message is a good one and I think the film addresses it well. Chaplin's speech at the end of the film is rather uplifting and offers a lot of hope, but on the other hand it's depressing in the sense that the film was made in 1940 and the atrocities against the Jewish people were far from over at the time of this film's release. I'd say this film was good, but I wouldn't rank it amongst my favorites. Chaplin is known for his comedy and this just seems like a strange type of film to use comedy. The satire was good, but strange at the same time. Still, I'd like to see some more of Chaplin's work.

76.5/100.

C.

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