The Great Dictator Analysis

Charlie Chaplin is most well-known for his character The Tramp, as well as writing, directing, and starring in his own films. Just as Hollywood was moving into “talkies” or films with sound, Chaplin was still going against the grain. He remained one of the last silent film stars until the release of the political satire comedy-drama The Great Dictator in 1940. Besides his singing part in Modern Times, this was the first time audiences heard Chaplin’s true voice. The Great Dictator tells the story of a WWI pilot (who in the film, does not have a name) that saves an officer named Schultz (Reginald Gardiner). After crashing their plane into a tree, the private loses his memory and spends the next 20 years in the hospital. Upon his release, he …show more content…
He was against capitalism and organizations, and believed in human freedom, he wanted to make people see the world’s problems from his point of view. What better way to do this than through film. Chaplin was not only a master of comedic delivery, he was a master of evoking every emotion across the board. This was key in making people understand what kind of person that Hitler really was. He wanted there to be a clear line of good and evil. The Jews (or the regular, hardworking people) never hurt anyone, they were kind and welcoming. By showing them sticking together and fighting the storm-troopers as a group, it was sending the message that the viewer should also fight back and reject the isolationism that was being forced upon them. (Cole, 148) The final scene of the film, and the most poignant, is the speech that the barber (as Hynkel) makes. Chaplain addresses the camera directly and appeals to the audience, renouncing everything that Hynkel has put into place and calling for peace amongst all races. “Live by each other’s happiness, not by their misery. We think too much and feel too little.” Chaplain was using his full voice for the first time in his career in film to plea for peace across the world. There are so many similarities and differences between Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler They were born four days apart on the same week in 1889, they had the same mustache, they both wanted to be artists. Hitler failed at this, while Chaplin succeeded 10-fold. One was admired by millions, the other hated. One mocked those who sought power, and the other kills those that refused to follow him. Chaplain’s comedic performances helped solidify his place as a politically charged Hollywood star, and eventually led to his exile from the United