The Great Dictator Review

Click here to read my previous review of the Silence of the Lambs

At number 52 on top 1000 films of all times, we have the Greate Dictator: arguably one of Charlie Chaplin's most political films.

Released in 1940 and set during the 30's, The Great Dictator is a vicious and biting satire of the rise of Hitler.  Charlie Chaplin plays two roles: Adenoid Hynkel, an obvious parody of Hitler and also an unnamed Jewish barber who becomes an unlikely leader of a resistance movement.  Other famous people parodied are Benzino Napolini, Garbistch and Herring who are all parodies of Mussolini, Goebbels and Goring.

What struck me the most about this film, especially watching it after Modern Times and City Lights, was its increasingly dark tone.  Obviously this is to be expcected in a film concerning Hitler, but it was still a surprise to see it in a Chaplin film, especially since he is regarded as a comic actor.  However I think that Chaplin balanced the dark tone with the comic elements well.  For example, just as the Jewish barber characyer is about to get lynched, he is saved at the last minute by a German officer whom he had fought with in the First World War.  However, the Jewish Barber is suffering from amensia and cannot remember who his saviour is.  The exchange that ensues between them is very funny.

Chaplin is best known for his silent films, but the Great Dictator was his first proper speaking film.  Whilst the physical comedy, which I will discuss later, was great, so too was the vocal comedy.  Chaplin reduces Hitler to a complete farce, by delivering speeches in German-sounding gibberish.  In another hilarious moment, when Stormtroopers demand that the Jewish Barber salutes Hilter, he replies "who?

This farce continues into the physical comedy of the film.  After Hilter gives one of his speeches, he then falls down the stairs.  To ensure that Napolini knows who is in charge, he is given a far smaller chair than Hilter.  Later, Hilter and Napolini aim to resolves their differences by having a food fight.  All of these scenes are ridiculous, but hilarious to watch.  I also really liked Joseph Goebbels' parody Garbistch.  He is strict and severe and a stark contrast to the more irreverent and illogical Hilter.  All credit to Henry Daniell for his great portrayal.

It was also interesting to see Chaplin in a more serious role, compared to hs usual comedic Tramp persona.  I think he did very well in this role. The obvious example of this is the film's standout scene.  I am of course talking about Chaplin's famous speech.  The speech is powerful, evocative and visceral.  Chaplin's delivery is impassioned and striking.  This was a definite departure away from the Tramp character which he is famous for.  The speech is as relevant now, as it was seven decades ago.

If I were to criticise this for something, then it would be its length.  The Great Dictator was two hours long, but I think it would have been much better if it had only been 90 minutes, like City Lights and Modern Times.  I felt that the narrative grew thin in places and Chaplin compensated by drawing out the comedic sequences.

I also didn't like the very end of the film.  After Chaplin delivers his famous speech, the camera then cuts to Hannah (Paulette Goddard,) Chaplin's love interest.  Through voiceover, he addresses her and tells her to look to the light.  The film ends with her gazing thoughtfully into the distance.  I felt that this was disppointing and quite anticlimactic.  I think it would have been much more powerful if the film had ended on Chaplin's famous speech.  The message would have been far stronger and more prominent.

All in all though, I did enjoy this film.  It was dark, but it was also funny.  It had some ridiculous moments but also hilarious ones.  However, the humour did wear a little thin in places.  For this reason, I am giving the Great Dictator a rating of awesome.  Charlie Chaplin might have long since departed our company, but his legacy lives on in films like these.