The Great Dictator

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2009)

The Great Dictator succeeds brilliantly on two different levels. First, it works as a comedy, even by today's standards. Second, and more importantly, it was a brave and ahead of its time condemnation of Nazi Germany.
Chaplin has been called the master of slapstick, and The Great Dictator doesn't disappoint in the comedy department. Take the opening World War I battle. Chaplin finds himself wandering through smoke until he finally comes out alongside other soldiers. But wait, these are enemy soldiers. Chaplin drops his gun, exclaims, "Pardon me!" and runs away. Or when he makes his escape with Schutlz and their plane is inadvertently rolled upside down. Chaplin observes his watch dangling up and nonchalantly comments, "We seem to be defying the laws of gravity."
But what has truly made The Great Dictator so timeless was its scathing criticism of Nazi Germany. The movie began production in the late 1930's while the US was still at peace with Hitler, and in fact it was released more than a year before the US entered the war. Condemning Nazism was taboo, and Chaplin, a Jew himself, was only able to make the movie because of creative and financial independence. In fact, Chaplin put $1.5 million of his own money into the project, and this was at a time when it couldn't be shown in some places due to "neutrality." Needless to say the film didn't have the best box office prospects, but that only stands as a testament to Chaplin, a man more interested in artistic expression and fighting injustice than the bottom line.
Modern studios should take note; it became Chaplin's highest grossing film.
8.5/10