Charlie Chaplin - The Great Dictator

This film was made to belittle and mock Hitler and the Nazi ideals. However Chaplin said if he had known about what was really happening and was to come, he wouldn't have made the film. It is awkward to watch at times but funny at others. Overall it leaves me feeling sad.

Very funny Charlie Chaplin movie. Moving too. The Blu ray sound and picture are incredible considering teh age. Great restoration! Highly recommended.

A brave film in so many ways. Finally succumbing to using sound, Chaplin delivers an iconic and fierce critical mawling of Hitler and the Nazi's at a time before America had dragged it's ass into WW2.

Worried that sound would kill the little tramp, Chaplin goes ahead anyway and includes scenes of dialogue and one of the greatest monologues in cinema history at the emotional climax. However some of the scenes are still classic Chaplin and show off the performer's unbeatable talent for silent comic silliness.

Watching the film now, it's influence seems clear on modern classic comedies such as Austin Powers and Borat.

It is interesting to watch Richard Attenborough's 'Chaplin' to see the motivation and determination that drove the actor/director to create this hugely important piece of cinema history.

Made with great courage in a year when the USA had not entered WW2 and the world was largely unaware of the ghetto's. Charlie Chaplin excels at mixing pathos with dire warnings to ridicule the then European dictatorships. Full of humorous gems like 'the insignia of the double cross'. The really good blu-ray picture detail of the original black & white film made it surreal. Ignore the occasional flat-spots in the acting and enjoy it for the icon it is.

Chaplin takes on dual roles in this satirical masterpiece. The screen is filled with lovely little touches (Venus de Milo reunited with her arms in a nazi salute). A brave film and eerily insightful even though Chaplin admitted that if he had known the full extent of Hitler's atrocities he would not have made it. Everyone should see this film (especially the makers of the awful John Cusack flick -War Inc)