City Lights

City Lights (1931)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (40 reviews)

  • 94% of users liked it
    (23,439 ratings)

Charles Chaplin was deep into production of his silent City Lights when Hollywood was overwhelmed by the talkie revolution. After months of anguished contemplation, Chaplin decided to finish the film as it began--in silence, save for a musical score and an occasional sound effect. Once again cast as… More

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G, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By
Charles Chaplin
Written By
Charles Chaplin
Genres
Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1931 Wide
On DVD
Feb 8, 2000
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Mark Bourne, Film.com

    That final scene. Last week, CNN asked -- in "The Screening Room's Top 10 Romantic Moments" -- whether this was the most touching film moment of all time. Could be. Either way, if it doesn't move you, you're beyond human reach.

  • Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

    With its themes of selflessness and grace, as well as its graceful intertwining of comedy and pathos, this is a fine time for a revisit.

  • Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

    Is this film still funny after 76 years? I think and hope it is.

  • Sid Silverman, Variety

    The British comic is still the consummate pantomimist, unquestionably one of the greatest the stage or screen has ever known.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    A beautiful example of Chaplin's ability to turn narrative fragments into emotional wholes. The two halves of the film are sentiment and slapstick. They are not blended but woven into a pattern as eccentric as it is sublime.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Josh M


    City Lights is the highest form of cinema art, it's perfect and works on every level to which Chaplin aspired: the comic, the dramatic, the asethetic and the profound. I screened it with two pre-teens and they were rapt, so the fact that it's silent, black and white and has… More

  • Matheus C


    Chaplin could be as much of a mass manipulator in America as Leni Riefenstahl was in Germany - while his constant themes underlying the struggle of the have-nots under the tyrannical hands of the haves can be a bit too dualistically black and white, there's no denying that he… More

  • Jameson W


    A wonderful, classic film of the silent film era. Charlie Chaplin is nothing short of amazing here; he truly is a brilliant comedic performer. He delivers a hilarious and fantastic performance as The Tramp. Virginia Cherrill is also great as The Blind Girl, and she's adorable.… More

  • Sophie B


    A cute little film which was fairly funny but obviously not of my time. I admire Chaplin for sticking with his "silent" films and I do believe this is a better movie for it. He did what he knew best. I couldn't make out at the end if she was still interested in him or… More

  • David L


    City Lights is probably one of the most well loved, along with Modern Times, Chaplin movies. The iconic and everlasting character of The Tramp, one of the most lovable, truly human and sympathetic characters perhaps of all time. Sometimes there is some hate towards tramps, like they… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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