Chaplin talks!

Rating: Null/10 (8 February 2008)

The film, The Great Dictator is one that permits Chaplin to quote (some might say misquote) Garbo's famous line; "I want to be alone" from the film, Grand Hotel (1932), when his character is conceiving his world domination, just prior to dancing with an inflatable globe, symbolic of fallible power, in a vulnerable world at the time. In this way, Chaplin is paying homage to Garbo in an ironic sense. As technological advances permitted 'cinematic sound' which was promoted via Garbo for the advertisement of Anna Christie (1930) with the line: "Garbo Talks", so in The Great Dictator, Chaplin talks.
But Chaplin utilises the medium of sound for his own political bias. It is widely believed that Chaplin's political bias as being sympathetic to communism. (But as Chaplin admitted himself he was somewhat naive of the unknown as illustrated via his satirising of antisemitism in The Great Dictator). This has been seriously misconceived and confused with Chaplin's real political bias which was his concerns with capitalism in its 'free market' model. The pitfalls, (i.e. its precarious nature) of the free market model of capitalism, lacking in social welfare provisions emerging from 19th Century industrialism culminated in illiberal ideals. Illiberal idealism is the core tenant of fascist ideology as defined by Sicillian born philosopher Giovanni Gentile (May 30, 1875 - April 15, 1944) as a means to legitimate the Italian model of fascism for dictator Benito Mussolini, (July 29, 1883 Â– April 28, 1945) . However, Illiberal ideals as Chaplin suggests in The Great Dictator become a destructive force on freedom, as illustrated in both fascism and Communism.
It is documented that Hitler watched The Great Dictator, which it is rumoured touched his alleged sense of humour. Maybe Hitler being the megalomaniac he was misunderstood the film as a homage to himself, and an inspiration to his cause.
The opening set of the film exhibit Chaplin's genius as he gives a histrionic and gradual build up to an anti-climatic scene of a lapsed bomb. Likewise his genius is further illustrated this time in his comedic dexterity and timing in the aspects of the film which give way to the 'silent' genre. This said, the overall, general genius of Sir Charles Chaplin is the way he made tragedy comedic in his own unique way, which induce the viewer to look at their own conscience as witnessed via the antisemitic scenes in the The Great Dictator.
The supporting cast are excellent. This is due to Chaplin's perfectionism as a director. Such perfectionism contributed to Paulette Goddard's great acting ability as illustrated in The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946).
In conclusion this film is a sombre caveat of the dangers the instability a free market economy lacking in social welfare provisions has for potential and ultimate consequences of society.