The Great Dictator (1940)

95% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
93% of users liked it
(40,444 ratings)

"This is the story of the period between two world wars--an interim during which insanity cut loose, liberty took a nose dive, and humanity was kicked around somewhat." With this pithy opening title, Charles Chaplin begins his first all-talking feature film, The Great Dictator. During World War I, a… More "This is the story of the period between two world wars--an interim during which insanity cut loose, liberty took a nose dive, and humanity was kicked around somewhat." With this pithy opening title, Charles Chaplin begins his first all-talking feature film, The Great Dictator. During World War I, a Jewish barber (Chaplin) in the army of Tomania saves the life of high-ranking officer Schultz (Reginald Gardiner). While Schultz survives the conflict unscathed, the barber is stricken with amnesia and bundled off to a hospital. Twenty years pass: Tomania has been taken over by dictator Adenoid Hynkel (Chaplin again) and his stooges Garbitsch (Henry Daniell) and Herring (Billy Gilbert). Hynkel despises all Jews and regularly wreaks havoc on the Tomanian Jewish ghetto, where feisty Hannah (Paulette Goddard) lives. Meanwhile, the little barber escapes from the hospital and instinctively heads back to his cobweb-laden ghetto barber shop. Unaware of Hynkel's policy towards Jews (in fact, he's unaware of Hynkel), the barber gets into a slapstick confrontation with a gang of Aryan storm troopers. He is rescued by his old friend Schultz, now one of Hynkel's most loyal officers. Thanks to Schultz's protection, the ghetto receives a brief respite from Hynkel's persecution. The barber sets up shop again, developing a warm platonic relationship with the lovely Hannah. But things take a sorry turn when Hynkel, angered that a Jewish banker has refused to finance his impending war with Austerlitz, begins bearing down again on the Ghetto. Near the end of the film, when the dictator is expected to make another one of his hate-filled, war-mongering speeches, the barber steps up to the microphones...and Charles Chaplin drops character and becomes "himself," delivering an impassioned plea for peace, tolerance, and humanity. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Charles Chaplin
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1940 Wide
On DVD: May 10, 2010
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

William Goss, Film.com
The first full-blown talkie from the biggest star of the silent era, complete with a message that Chaplin couldn't have sent more loudly or clearly.
, TIME Magazine
Through no fault of Chaplin's, during the two years he was at work on the picture dictators became too sinister for comedy.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Chaplin is at his most profound in suggesting that there is much of the Tramp in the Dictator, and much of the Dictator in the Tramp.
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Like all major Chaplin works, Dictator was a cheaply, but methodically, made film, a cardboard act of humanist defiance, and, thanks to its purity of purpose, the cheesier the jokes get, the harder they land.
Variety Staff, Variety
It's when he is playing the dictator that the comedian's voice raises the value of the comedy content of the picture to great heights.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It is a funny film, which we expect from Chaplin, and a brave one.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...a great movie because it works as a film, and because it is a document of courage and faith, the prime exhibit in Chaplin's humanist brief ... Dictator is a comedy, the work of a clown, but it is no joke. Chaplin had lethal intent.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
While it is not the greatest of Charlie Chaplin's feature films, it is certainly his bravest, if not one of the bravest films ever made.
Christian Blauvelt, Slant Magazine
Though inseparable from its 1940 production, The Great Dictator is an oddly timeless comparison of stardom and totalitarianism, mass entertainer and mass murderer, director and dictator.
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
...stared evil in the face long before the rest of Hollywood even thought it was possible.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
Despite the film's weaknesses, Chaplin's lampooning of Hitler is a moment of comic genius, complemented by Jack Oakie's ridiculously exaggerated portrayal of the Mussolini-like Italian fascist
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Comic genius blitzkriegs the Third Reich.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Chaplin's film hasn't aged well, but in 1940 it was perceived to be original, bold and controversial due to its combination of slapstick satire of Hitler and agit-prop.
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
Though the slapstick may seem tired now, there are moments of greatness.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
So Chaplin may not have halted a war, but he still left us with more than just a funny movie.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
For The Great Dictator's restoration, experts at Cineteca Bologna assembled the best footage from a variety of sources into a new freshly minted print. The final product ... is splendid.
, Time Out
The representation of Hitler is vaudeville goonery all the way, but minus the acid wit and inventive energy that Groucho Marx managed.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Charlie Chaplin's first all-talking feature is a controversial one.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dan S

A disappointingly too silly take on an extremely serious subject (Hitler and the destruction of many Jews), concerning a crazed dictator (Charlie Chaplin), who is unaware that there is a Jewish barber (also Chaplin) who looks identical to him, and how the two unavoidably switch places… More
A disappointingly too silly take on an extremely serious subject (Hitler and the destruction of many Jews), concerning a crazed dictator (Charlie Chaplin), who is unaware that there is a Jewish barber (also Chaplin) who looks identical to him, and how the two unavoidably switch places at some point. While the subject of war has been dealt with in a funny, smart manner before (Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove' remains the cream of the crop in that category), this film seems to be about 80 percent slapstick with 20 percent seriousness. It is not a fair balance for a subject like this, although granted the slapstick is largely very, very funny. When it comes time for Chaplin's big speech, there has been too much funny business going on beforehand that it in turn undermines the film's most important point. A better balance of humor and compassion, as well as a heavier dose of anger at these events going on at these times would have made this a defining, legendary film. Instead, to me, it is an occasional funny but overall frustrating one that never lives up to its reputation as a great one.
David L

"The Great Dictator" is one of Charlie Chaplin's most dynamic and most entertaining films. His first speaking film, it allows him to add a level of verbal comedy and wit to his always-funny pantomime and physical comedy. Playing a dual role both as megalomaniacal… More
"The Great Dictator" is one of Charlie Chaplin's most dynamic and most entertaining films. His first speaking film, it allows him to add a level of verbal comedy and wit to his always-funny pantomime and physical comedy. Playing a dual role both as megalomaniacal dictator Adenoid Hynkel (based on Adolf Hitler) and a lowly Jewish barber from the ghetto, Chaplin, flexes his repertory performing talents to convince the viewer it could be different actors playing these roles. The barber character allows Chaplin to breathe new life into his well-known tramp character, complete with signature hat and cane. The Brahms shaving scene is so dynamic that even without a word of dialogue it stands the test of time to entertain viewers decades after its release. Much of the film's intrigue comes from its symbolism. Beginning with the "double cross" symbol, playing on the Nazi swastika as well as the public being double-crossed, the movie goes on to explore the notion of how, as Caesar once said, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". As Hynkel even notices when he says "you make me afraid of myself!" the world is not unlike the balloon prop Chaplin uses to entertain viewers; it may be fun to play with, but if you squeeze it too hard it will explode. As an added bonus, the movie explores the notion of what can happen when two men with great power but even greater egos go against each other for control of the world. Arguing over military deployment and treaty negotiation, Hynkel and Italian dictator Benzini Napaloni (based on Benito Mussolini) quarrel at a complimentary buffet, but eventually settle their differences and remain friends. This, one could say, is a strong allegory to the uselessness of war and clueless nature of those with the power to start wars. In delivering speeches in the character of Hynkel, Chaplin expresses the fire and intensity of an evil dictator while remaining absolutely ridiculous and entertaining. In preparing for his role, Chaplin spent a lot of time studying a lot of tapes of Hitler's speeches, mastering his posture, body language and voice inflection. Thus, the fire and malice of his messages are communicated, although if you listen closely you can hear Chaplin use such words as "schnitzel", "lederhosen", and other terms most Americans with little or no German training can understand. In addition, Chaplin "Germanizes" English phrases to make them sound more comical, such as "tighten-de-belten." But, never breaking character allows Chaplin to sell his portrayal. As true as it is today, it was the same in 1940, and even back in 1440: It's not what you say, it's how you say it. Chaplin also excels in the directorial aspect of this movie. He uses many different aspects and strategies to portray the world that surrounds his storyline. Without utilizing very much in the way of camera movement, Chaplin uses other ways such as music - both diegetic and non-diegetic - as well as creative cuts and pantomime to change the movie from being words on a page of script into a living, breathing work of art. In the scene involving the coins within the puddings, each table member finds a coin, which would mean they would have to sacrifice themselves to police. Each person passes theirs to Chaplin, who subsequently tries to swallow each coin in order to hide it. As he eats the pudding and bites down to find a coin, a crescendo of music tells the viewer what has happened. Another method pursued by Chaplin in making this movie is what is known as the "Kuleshov Effect". This occurs when a show is coordinated alongside a different shot or sound effects, and the viewer perceives a link between the two. When Hynkel and Napaloni are viewing the armies, the camera remains focused on the two dignitaries, adding in background noise. The viewer is told that the two are looking at fast planes, and the sound of a plane engine is accompanied by the two men turning their heads quickly, seemingly watching the planes fly across the sky. As the larger artillery is viewed, the viewer hears heavy clanking metal and the two heads of state turn their gaze much more slowly. This is the Kuleshov Effect at its best, because even though the two actors are staring at a film crew and the inside of a movie studio, the viewer is convinced the two are actually conducting a military review. In Hynkel's final speech, actually delivered in the character of the Jewish barber, Chaplin uses camera-work to combine unlike shots as well. As he calls out to Hannah, his love, he looks to the sky. Simultaneously, she wakes up miles away, and looks to the sky as well. Although the two are miles away and there is no way that she can actually hear him calling to her, the viewer can't help but think that she can hear his voice carrying on the wind. This is Chaplin's directing at its best. A must see classic
Reid V

Prophetic and brilliantly played by Mr. Chaplin
Carlos M

Chaplin's first talking picture is a hilarious film that makes a truly poignant statement against dictatorial regimes. A wonderful film that has countless memorable moments, from the dictator's speech in incomprehensible German to the classical, unforgettable final scene.
Steven C

I really dislike "The Great Dictator". While Charlie Chaplin certainly has his moments in much better films, like the terrific "The Kid" (my favorite far and away), this is unfunny, lame and just plain boring. I'm still going to be a Buster Keaton fan at… More
I really dislike "The Great Dictator". While Charlie Chaplin certainly has his moments in much better films, like the terrific "The Kid" (my favorite far and away), this is unfunny, lame and just plain boring. I'm still going to be a Buster Keaton fan at heart.
AJ V

This movie is funny now, but it makes me wonder how it was received in 1940 when the war was on. Although the movie is mostly enjoyable, there are some boring scenes too. Of course if you're a Chaplin fan you should see this movie.
Wahida K

No one can ever replace this little guy. Charlie Chaplin. Undisputed Master of the Comedy
Anthony L

One of the greatest films ever made. Charles Chaplin got it so right with this film, it's a timeless classic and an important film historically. I can't recommend it enough, it just has to be seen. Make it a priority film fans!
Randy T

The more I see of Chaplin the more I am astounded by the depth of his talent. For those who only associate Charlie Chaplin with silent films, <i>The Great Dictator</i> is a must-see. His genius for physical comedy is nearly equaled by his adeptness of dialog. Hilariously… More
The more I see of Chaplin the more I am astounded by the depth of his talent. For those who only associate Charlie Chaplin with silent films, <i>The Great Dictator</i> is a must-see. His genius for physical comedy is nearly equaled by his adeptness of dialog. Hilariously funny and timeless.
familiar s

Much, much below my expectations.
Michael G

Chaplin is amazing!
Dillon L

A memorable talkie by Charlie Chaplin that boasts a brilliant performance by himself, and makes strong political points during a difficult time. The final powerful speech at the end of the film is still applicable even 71 years later.
Byron B

Another classic I saw at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Unique experience hearing Chaplin speak, seeing him play two roles, and enjoying the political satire! Lots of awesome comic characters and set pieces. It starts in WWI. The battle scenes are fairly impressive, but… More
Another classic I saw at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Unique experience hearing Chaplin speak, seeing him play two roles, and enjoying the political satire! Lots of awesome comic characters and set pieces. It starts in WWI. The battle scenes are fairly impressive, but of course Chaplin as a low ranking soldier (barber by trade) getting in over his head is the star. Years later a Hitler-like politician in a German-like country is rising to power by giving stirring nationalistic anti-Semitic speeches (in gibberish). Chaplin, the Jewish barber, returns home, but things have changed in the ghetto. Paulette Goddard is cute and strong as the barber's girl next door. We pop back and forth getting to know both the barber and the dictator and Chaplin does an excellent job of making us believe they are different individuals. Through a silly plot contrivance the Jewish barber ends up dressed like the dictator and is mistaken for him. The impassioned speech Chaplin makes here at the conclusion of the movie is absolutely one of the best about the human condition ever!
Matthew Y

Of all of Chaplins films, this may be the best side-splittingly funny one. Four years before the Allies victory Chaplin bravely takes advantage of the way the tramp and Hitler look alike. Holding back no punches in his anti-Nazi approach and (very often) simple mocking of the fuehrer… More
Of all of Chaplins films, this may be the best side-splittingly funny one. Four years before the Allies victory Chaplin bravely takes advantage of the way the tramp and Hitler look alike. Holding back no punches in his anti-Nazi approach and (very often) simple mocking of the fuehrer himself Chaplin delivers a top 10 comedy of all time. Highlights include the German 'mumble' speech at the beginning and the spectacular balloon globe ballet scene.
Bryce I

One of Charlie Chaplin's greatest achievements, filled with the same Chaplin charm, as well as traces of a dark war film, and an excellent WWII drama. Charlie Chaplin delivers a brilliant performance, and has made an extremely enjoyable parody, that is an extremely controversial… More
One of Charlie Chaplin's greatest achievements, filled with the same Chaplin charm, as well as traces of a dark war film, and an excellent WWII drama. Charlie Chaplin delivers a brilliant performance, and has made an extremely enjoyable parody, that is an extremely controversial film to this day.
Chris B

Laugh out loud funny and deeply resounding from an emotional side as well, The Great Dictator has it all. Chaplin playing the part of Dictator Hynkel and the barber is at his best here with his first talkie. He used the speeches by Hynkel to destroy the German language and it all… More
Laugh out loud funny and deeply resounding from an emotional side as well, The Great Dictator has it all. Chaplin playing the part of Dictator Hynkel and the barber is at his best here with his first talkie. He used the speeches by Hynkel to destroy the German language and it all adds up to another layer of technical achievement. The film had a great story and was truly a product of it's time with an amazing and out of character speech by Chaplin himself for peace. Highly Highly Recommended!
Stephen E

Chaplin has a great sense of humor in "The Great Dictator" and hits the right notes most of the time. Not only is he funny, but he's a great actor as well, and knowing what we know now about Hitler and his mannerisms, it makes Chaplin's performance all the more… More
Chaplin has a great sense of humor in "The Great Dictator" and hits the right notes most of the time. Not only is he funny, but he's a great actor as well, and knowing what we know now about Hitler and his mannerisms, it makes Chaplin's performance all the more brilliant.
Donna D

What a great movie by Charlie Chaplin. I finally sat down to watch this amazing in class for pleasure in our class! :) Well written with humorous antidotes regarding the World War with a parody of Hitler's antics. I loved it and the best part was the best speech ever for an… More
What a great movie by Charlie Chaplin. I finally sat down to watch this amazing in class for pleasure in our class! :) Well written with humorous antidotes regarding the World War with a parody of Hitler's antics. I loved it and the best part was the best speech ever for an ending on any movie I have seen. Good one!
Lord N

This film is interesting. on one hand it is obviously speaking out against Hitler in a very funny but very powerful way. on the other hand it is preachy at moments especially at the end. on the other other hand, the preachiness was 100% necessary for the time. At this time in history,… More
This film is interesting. on one hand it is obviously speaking out against Hitler in a very funny but very powerful way. on the other hand it is preachy at moments especially at the end. on the other other hand, the preachiness was 100% necessary for the time. At this time in history, Hitler had already began taking over everything he could get his little mustache on. as such Chaplin felt that if he couldn't show the world what was really going on in Europe then the situation might get a lot worse. He preached at the audience to try to get them to stop Hitler. while today it is annoying to watch something like that, back then it was a very real danger because not only Hitler wanted to take over the world, but Mussolini and Tojo did as well. So Chaplin made this movie to try to inspire the world to counter a very very real danger. aside from that the movie was hilarious. i particularly liked the Hynkel/Napolini scenes. Few other scenes can match those in just pure comic genius. a very very good film all around.
Ivan D

Chaplin's masterful and very humorous attack to the insanity that is Nazism. And just like Mr. Chaplin's silent films, "The Great Dictator" as a full talkie, still has its fair share of golden moments. Though a lot can be mentioned when asked "What is the… More
Chaplin's masterful and very humorous attack to the insanity that is Nazism. And just like Mr. Chaplin's silent films, "The Great Dictator" as a full talkie, still has its fair share of golden moments. Though a lot can be mentioned when asked "What is the funniest sequence?" in the film, my favorite is the whole state visit to Tomania by Benzino Napaloni, it's just funny to think what could have happened if Hitler and Mussolini acted that way. And the final speech, somehow caught me off-guard, because I expected the Jewish Barber to blabber nonsensical things, but instead, Charlie Chaplin delivered what maybe is the best monologue in cinema history. This is without a doubt, one of Chaplin's greatest achievements, and inspired many other war parody films, such as "Dr. Strangelove".