The Great Dictator (1940)
De Dictator
Raiting: 
8,4 /10
Genre: Comedy
Director: Charles Chaplin
Stars: Charles Chaplin, Jack Oakie and Paulette Goddard
Country: United States
Release date: 15 October 1940
Length: 125 minutes
"The Great Dictator" (1940), directed by and starring Charles Chaplin, is a bold political satire that mocks fascism and its most notorious figures through a story of mistaken identity and daring defiance. The film was Chaplin's first true talking picture and stands as a courageous piece of cinema that was created during a time when the United States had not yet entered World War II and the full extent of Nazi atrocities was not widely known.
The film features Chaplin in a dual role: first as a nameless Jewish barber who suffers from amnesia after serving in World War I, and second as Adenoid Hynkel, the ruthless dictator of Tomania, who bears a striking resemblance to Adolf Hitler. The Jewish barber returns to his barbershop in the ghetto after years in a hospital, only to find his neighborhood oppressed under the rule of Hynkel and his regime.
Hynkel, on his part, dreams of world domination and, with the help of his bumbling officials, Garbitsch and Herring, plans the invasion of the neighboring country of Osterlich. Meanwhile, the barber befriends Hannah, a woman from the ghetto, and together they endure the brutality of Hynkel's stormtroopers. The barber's resemblance to the dictator leads to a series of comedic and poignant events that culminate in the barber being mistaken for Hynkel.
The climax of the film occurs when the barber, mistaken for the dictator, is expected to give a speech to the masses. Seizing the opportunity, the barber delivers an impassioned plea for humanity, kindness, and brotherhood, urging the people to fight for a world of reason, where democracy and freedom from oppression are the ultimate goals. This speech, though delivered in the context of the film, serves as Chaplin's own heartfelt message to the world at the brink of global conflict.
"The Great Dictator" is a film that combines comedy with a deep humanitarian message. Chaplin's boldness in making a film that criticizes fascism and promotes peace is lauded, and the movie's relevance has endured as a powerful statement against tyranny. The film's humor, pathos, and political courage make it not only an important historical artifact but also a timeless piece of cinema that continues to inspire and entertain audiences across generations.
Top cast - The Great Dictator (1940)
Trailer - The Great Dictator (1940)
"The Great Dictator", directed by and starring the legendary Charles Chaplin, is a daring political satire that stands as one of the most audacious and poignant critiques of fascism and despotism ever to be depicted on film. Released in 1940, when the world was on the precipice of war and the full horrors of the Nazi regime were yet to be uncovered, Chaplin's film was both a brave and risky endeavor that showcased the filmmaker's remarkable foresight and moral conviction.
Chaplin's dual performance as both the innocent Jewish barber and the megalomaniacal dictator Hynkel is a cinematic feat of the highest order. The barber, with his gentle demeanor and resilience, represents the everyman, while Hynkel is a caricature of Adolf Hitler, capturing the absurdity and grotesqueness of totalitarian leaders. Chaplin's ability to elicit laughter from his audience while simultaneously confronting them with the grim realities of oppression is a testament to his genius as a storyteller and a comedian.
The film's comedy is sharp and purposeful, using slapstick, wordplay, and satire to undermine the tyrants it targets. Scenes such as Hynkel's balletic globe dance and the barber's accidental heroism in the war trenches are masterclasses in physical comedy and satire. Yet, the laughter is underscored by a sense of urgency and despair, as the plight of the barber and his fellow ghetto inhabitants reflects the suffering of millions under fascist regimes.
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of "The Great Dictator" is its closing speech, where Chaplin steps out of character to address the audience directly with a plea for peace, democracy, and universal brotherhood. This speech, which calls for the overthrow of the dictators and the liberation of the oppressed, is as stirring and relevant today as it was over eighty years ago. It's a powerful moment that elevates the film from a mere comedy to a humanitarian statement of hope and solidarity.
"The Great Dictator" remains a crowning achievement in Chaplin's illustrious career and in the annals of cinematic history. It is a bold, timeless work that manages to be both a scathing indictment of autocracy and a celebration of the human spirit. The film's blend of humor and pathos, combined with its political bravery, ensures its place as a classic that continues to resonate with and inspire those who believe in the power of cinema to enact change and challenge injustice.