Review of The Great Dictator (1940) by Patrick L — 14 Mar 2010

I just don't understand how can people make such bad comedy movies today (some of them we don't even laugh), and one man could make a masterpiece with dumb jokes in 1940.

Full of classic scenes and wonderful performances by Chaplin and Jack Oakie, this movies is mostly hilarious, but sometimes it shows the cruelty of the Nazis to the Jews, but without making it too emotional, and when you think the movie is turning to a drama, boom, there is another hilarious joke. But what is unique about this movie, is that Chaplin made jokes that are funny and, at the same time, criticizes without being too clear, so, at the same time that you laugh, you have to think what he was trying to say with that.

But if you just go through the story, it will also be very pleasant to watch it, you will laugh in a way that you don't laugh in a long time unless before that you watch a Mel Brooks's movie. Some scenes in this movie are classic, like when Hynkel dances with the globe, or the first war sequence (Hilarious!).

Verdict: A classic from a genius, incredibly funny, a must see for any movie lover (I can't imagine any person not liking this movie).