The Great Dictator (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set)
| |
Leading Role: Paulette Goddard
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: Jul 2003
Format: DVD
Additional Info: 2-Disc Set
UPC: 085393765026
Product ID: EPID3447526
Description: Charlie Chaplin has a dual role in this film, his first with dialogue. He plays a sweet-natured Jewish barber and a murderous Hitler-type dictator with such satirical impact that it counterbalanced the oratory of Adolf Hitler. Particular...
Portions of this page Copyright 1981 - 2009 Muze Inc. 
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
Top Reviews
CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S ANTI-NAZI SATIRE & 1ST VOCAL FILMReview created: 06/16/07(updated 10/19/07)
by:
) 
50 of 50 people found this review helpful.
"The Great Dictator" (1940), Charlie Chaplin's first talking & sound motion picture is a great satirical attack on Hitler & Mussolini. Chaplin, merciless as John Waters (!), goes after both brutal dictators' personalities & ignorance with satire & typical Chaplin antics.
Chaplin plays Adolf Hitler as Adenoid Hynkel. Jack Oakie plays Mussolini as Benzino Napaloni. Their beloved homelands are Tomania (Hynkel's) & Bacteria (Napaloni's). Garbitsch (Henry Daniell) works for Hynkel. Chaplin also plays a Jewish barber in a ghetto whose woman-interest is Hannah (Paulette Goddard).
"Storm troopers" (one is Hank Mann) abuse Jews in the ghetto. Hynkel (Chaplin) controls Commander Schultz (Reginald Gardiner). Hynkel's megalomania doesn't materialize until Napaloni joins him. Together they decide conquer Österlich.
It's interesting that Chaplin's first vocalizations on film are made to sound like Hitler. During an awful period during WWII when so many world citizens were suffering & dying, Chaplin was offering a satire as comic relief. Laugh at these monsters, is Chaplin's response. His message to their followers is loud & clear: the dictators you're following are both crazy & stupid.
Now it is side-splitting to sit through Chaplin's hilarious attack on 2 of the world's worst war criminals. Of course, Chaplin was not alone in deploying satire & humor like a disempowering weapon . . . the cabarets of Berlin were full of anti-Nazi schtick, as depicted by Joel Grey in "Cabaret."
There are too many rich scenes in the full sound motion picture for me to describe any of them. That would spoil your fun.
Though probably one of Chaplin's best movies, it has such historical significance that it's especially worth owning the Collector's edition. (Of course, neo-Nazi's might want to skip this one).
Chaplin plays Adolf Hitler as Adenoid Hynkel. Jack Oakie plays Mussolini as Benzino Napaloni. Their beloved homelands are Tomania (Hynkel's) & Bacteria (Napaloni's). Garbitsch (Henry Daniell) works for Hynkel. Chaplin also plays a Jewish barber in a ghetto whose woman-interest is Hannah (Paulette Goddard).
"Storm troopers" (one is Hank Mann) abuse Jews in the ghetto. Hynkel (Chaplin) controls Commander Schultz (Reginald Gardiner). Hynkel's megalomania doesn't materialize until Napaloni joins him. Together they decide conquer Österlich.
It's interesting that Chaplin's first vocalizations on film are made to sound like Hitler. During an awful period during WWII when so many world citizens were suffering & dying, Chaplin was offering a satire as comic relief. Laugh at these monsters, is Chaplin's response. His message to their followers is loud & clear: the dictators you're following are both crazy & stupid.
Now it is side-splitting to sit through Chaplin's hilarious attack on 2 of the world's worst war criminals. Of course, Chaplin was not alone in deploying satire & humor like a disempowering weapon . . . the cabarets of Berlin were full of anti-Nazi schtick, as depicted by Joel Grey in "Cabaret."
There are too many rich scenes in the full sound motion picture for me to describe any of them. That would spoil your fun.
Though probably one of Chaplin's best movies, it has such historical significance that it's especially worth owning the Collector's edition. (Of course, neo-Nazi's might want to skip this one).
Review ID: 10000000003822049
Was this review helpful? Report this review
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our Sort by:
Reviews
Excellence
) I was in dire need to get the movie "The Great Dictator" which was required for a college class. The seller shipped this dvd fast, in excellent condition and I was very pleased with her product and prompt service. Hats off to this wonderful person.
Review ID: 10000000011634490
Was this review helpful? Report this review
The Great DictatorReview created: 12/23/08
by:
) Charlie Chaplain is a genius... I recommend this movie to any one who can enjoy he's humor and talent... :D
Review ID: 10000000009886901
Was this review helpful? Report this review
THE GREAT DICTATOR
) grand son had to do a report on C.Chaplin SO WE DECIDED TO BUY THIS MOVIE----WE LOVED IT AND LAUGHED ALOT---HE'S TAKING IT TO HIS ACTING CLASS....I'D RECOMEND THIS TO ANYONE WHO LIKES CHAPLIN
Review ID: 10000000007117844
Was this review helpful? Report this review
PRODUCT WAS SENT PROMPTLY A+++++++++Review created: 02/07/08
by:
This is one of the best anti-war movies of all time. My only regret is not seeing yet on the big screen. Finest COMEDY for all the ages to enjoy and hopefully the message will have a profound effect on all ...........
Review ID: 10000000005504318
Was this review helpful? Report this review
Page 1 of 1
Ready to share your opinion with others? Write a Review
About eBay | Announcements | Security Center | Resolution Center | eBay Toolbar | Policies | Government Relations | Site Map | Help | |
Copyright © 1995-2009 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
| |
