Chaplins Masterpiece!

Rating: 10/10 (1 March 2003)

I had seen this movie on TV some years ago (at least 15) and when it hit the cinematheaters again this christmas I know I had to see this wonderful picture as it was ment to be over 60 years ago. Was my hopes satisfied? More than so! Despite some minor problems (unrelated to the movie it self; battery-malfunction on my hearingaid, need to go to the toilet and an "desperatly" laughing audiens (have to laugh, it's Chaplin, even when he just falls on his but!). Due to this problems I went to see it yet again two weeks later (fresh batterys and toiletvisit just before entering the theater. The Audience I can't do anything about!). So this time I coul fully appriciate the film! The Restoration makes it a pure joy to see, the opening scen looks like it was shoot just the other week, not more than 60 years ago.
I didn't remember so much of the film as I thought, I think I might mix it up with some other War-movie with CC. But my favourite scen is something I will never forget, the great dictator dressed as an austrian sitting in a small boat with a big shotgun, I start to laugh even before you see him in the picture, greater comedy has probably never been seen on the great white screen. But this is not a comedy at first, it's very vitty and strong political documentation so ahead of it's time that it's hard to beleive it's so old. The Serious part of the story shouldn't have to be as (aktuellt) now as it were back then, but sadly it's probably even more now! Whithout a doubt this is one the greatest movies ever! (The word AKTUELLT is the swedish word for witch I can't find a proper translation right now, but I think you catch my point just the same!)