Charlie Chaplin won't fail to amaze in his first full-dialogued film. It was highly controversial at the time and is a rather powerful political comedy. Chaplin gives a very entertaining impersonation of Adolf Hitler who is caught up in taking over the world and everybody in it. Meanwhile, his Jewish look-a-like had a case of amnesia and soon realizes that he is under the dictator's rule whose police is violently discriminating him. Designed to satirize Mussolini, Goebbels and Goering as well. The Great Dictator, while not considered a classic, is very good entertainment and is a good film to show in a history class. Charlie Chaplin comes full equipped with his classic slapstick, his "tramp" suit and his voice; the first time we actually hear it speak English! A great film!
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Starring:
Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Reginald Gardiner, Maurice Moscovich, Billy Gilbert, Henry Danielle
Directed by:
Charles Chaplin
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1940 political/comedy
Not Rated.
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Don Ignacio's score: A