Movie Information
Overall Rank: 171
Average Rating: 3.3/4
# of Ratings: 183
Theatrical Release Date: 10/15/1940
Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 05/24/2011
Language: English
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Charles Chaplin
Actors: Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Reginald Gardiner, Billy Gilbert, Henry Daniell
Plot: A poor barber is confused with the great Nazi dictator and is sent into his place, unknown to the dictator.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 07/17/2019
A classic comedy with a relevant message, Charlie Chaplain's "The Great Dictator" is a satirical stroke of genius.
Rating of
3.5/4
Unknown - wrote on 05/27/2014
Chaplin doesn't play to his slapstick-y strengths throughout all of 'The Great Dictator'. This is a 100% talkie. Some lesser scenes are mildly clever, while others are silly fun. There's a slight imbalance in that. However, the whole film is a sharp satirical thorn in the side of Hitler's dictatorship. I have to admire Chaplin's bravery in lampooning the figure during the height of his reign. The final act rises above the uneven silliness to be more thoughtful. Chaplin's ending speech is a strong peaceful statement that I hope all would agree with. Terrifically well said.
Rating of
3/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 08/21/2011
A classic Chaplin film that smartly walks the line between political commentary and Chaplin's trademark subtle comedy. Very funny and also very thought-provoking and a good example of how Chaplin's comedy had matured from his earlier films.
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
N/A
Sauerkraut
cinegeek.de - wrote on 04/16/2016
Our Daily Free Stream: Charles Chaplin - The Great dictator. Zum Geburtstag von Charlie Chaplin! - 1938 begann der grösste Filmstar der Welt einen Film vorzubereiten über das Monster des 20. Jahrhunderts. Ein bisschen ähnelte Charlie Chaplin Adolf Hitler, zumindest trugen beide denselben Schnurrbart. Auf dieser Gemeinsamkeit baut die Satire The Great Dictator auf, in der ein jüdischer Frisör mit dem Diktator verwechselt wird. Der Film wurde 1940 fertiggestellt und sollte nicht nur Chaplins erster Tonfilm werden, sondern das berühmteste Werk seiner Karriere! Allerdings sollte The Great Dictator auch grosse Probleme für Chaplin bereithalten und ihm indirekt seinen Weg ins Exil weisen... 1938 war es in den USA noch keineswegs Konsens, Hitler für das Böse schlechthin zu halten. Es …
Rating of
4/4
Let us all unite!
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/19/2014
The Great Dictator is about a poor barber is confused with the great Nazi dictator and is sent into his place, unknown to the dictator. When I look at comedy's today I see good work and overall a good comedy. But it will never be like Charles Chaplin the great dictator. This movie mixers comedy and drama together so perfectly nothing can top it. The globe scene, the train scene and the speech at the end which made me cry because how true it is and how much we need it to make the world a better place. Overall the great dictator is outstanding movie with a great story and a brilliant speech.
Quote from Dictator of Tomania: "I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible; Jew, …
Rating of
4/4
The Great Dictator review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/22/2012
A fatigued Commander Schultz (Reginald Gardiner) was saved by a Jew (Charlie Chaplin). Hynkel (also played by Chaplin) is a vehement dictator who maltreated the Jews with the aid of Storm Troopers. The unnamed Jew who has a Barbershop was assisted by Hannah (Paulette Goddard). Benzino Napaloni (Jack Oakie), dictator of Bacteria has plans to invade Osterlich. The “talking-film” consisted of so many hilarious moments such as the “I was just eating” scene between Napaloni and Hynkel, coin in the pudding, removing of pins of one of the Officers and Adenoid Hynkel’s first speech.
Score was vibrant and even simultaneously utilized during one of the Jews Barbershop sequences. Screenplay was well-written and good natures with lines from: Schultz – “You must speak.” and …
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