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The Great Dictator
The Great Dictator
8.9
/10
14,363 Ratings

THE GREAT DICTATOR

Directed by Charlie Chaplin
United States, 1940
Comedy

Synopsis

After dedicated service in WWI, a Jewish barber spends years in an army hospital, unaware of the rise of a fascist, anti-Semitic dictator, whom he bears an uncanny resemblance to. When he returns to his neighborhood, he is stunned by the brutal changes, and recklessly joins a girl in rebelling.

Synopsis

After dedicated service in WWI, a Jewish barber spends years in an army hospital, unaware of the rise of a fascist, anti-Semitic dictator, whom he bears an uncanny resemblance to. When he returns to his neighborhood, he is stunned by the brutal changes, and recklessly joins a girl in rebelling.

Our take

Charlie vs. Adolf! In his most controversial film yet (as well as his first “talkie”), Chaplin took on fascism with subversive humor, trademark slapstick, and a feast of now-classic scenes. The final speech is legendary, and the “globe dance” is wicked and perverse. An absolute essential.