The Great Dictator

Movie • 1940

8.4

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oliviawatches shared

Ballsy satire with classic Chaplin wit. Timeless message, iconic moments.

rickyg shared

Charlie Chaplin's bold and satirical take on Hitler and fascism, filled with both comedy and poignant moments.

sarahwils shared

Chaplin's satirical masterpiece cleverly uses visual gags and cinematography to convey a powerful anti-fascist message, showcasing the comedian's renowned talent.

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saved Golden Age Comedy Gems

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Overview

Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.

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Roger Ebert

It is a funny film, which we expect from Chaplin, and a brave one.

rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-great-dictator-1940

Roger Ebert

Chaplin's most serious, most tragic, most human work.

rogerebert.com/reviews/the-great-dictator-1940

BBC

Strangely, though, what remains so powerful about the film's satire is its outright silliness.

bbc.co.uk/films/2003/08/05/the_great_dictator_1940_review.shtml

Variety

Chaplin makes no bones about his utter contempt for dictators like Hitler and Mussolini in his production of The Great Dictator.

variety.com/1939/film/reviews/the-great-dictator-1200412984/

The New York Times

'The Great Dictator' may not be the finest picture ever made—in fact, it possesses several disappointing shortcomings. But, despite them, it turns out to be a truly superb accomplishment by a truly great artist—and, from one point of view, perhaps the most significant film ever produced.

nytimes.com/1940/10/16/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-great-dictator-by-and-with-charlie-chaplin.html

IMDb

The little tramp, a creation of and for the silent era, could not make the transition to sound. But Hynkel is a creation of and for the sound era, and he works fantastically.

imdb.com/title/tt0032553/

Rotten Tomatoes

Charlie Chaplin demonstrates that his comedic voice is undiminished by dialogue in this rousing satire of tyranny, which may be more distinguished by its uplifting humanism than its gags.

rottentomatoes.com/m/great_dictator

Rotten Tomatoes

"... confronts the hatred and anti-Semitism of Hitler’s Germany in the days before America’s entry into World War II while lampooning the despots responsible."

rottentomatoes.com/m/great_dictator/reviews

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