Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator”

Charlie Chaplin made “The Great Dictator” film in 1940 with his own money because none of the Hollywood studios were ready to make a stand. After all, many studios had financial relations with the Germans. The film was written, directed, produced, and starred by Charlie Chaplin himself and was released before World War II. Charlie Chaplin made more than 100 films, but “The Great Dictator” was his first sound film. This film was popular among audiences and is said to be Chaplin’s most commercially successful film at the box office. 

The plot of the Film

The Great Dictator was the biggest box office hit in the 1940s. The film was not just a comedy but also depicted the Nazi’s betrayal. This film also exhibited strong disapproval of fascism. Charlie Chaplin beautifully portrayed two central roles in the film. One was a Jewish barber who was a high-ranking officer in World War I, and he was mistaken for a tyrannical dictator. Another character was a Hitler spoof, Adenoid Hynkel, a dictator of the fictional country Tomainia. The Great Dictator is about two worlds, the palace where dictator Adenoid Hynkel rules and the ghetto where the poor barber survives and struggles to make a living. The film revolves around these two characters with comedic elements and depicts the struggle between good and evil and their two worlds. 

Charlie Chaplin “The Great Dictator” Speech

In this film, Charlie Chaplin condemned Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, and Nazis. The final concluding speech from the barber to the masses is famous and inspiring speeches even now. Chaplin blinked fewer times during this speech. He also agreed to perform this speech on national radio. 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone – if possible – Jew, gentile – black man – white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness – not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world, there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way.

In this speech, Charlie Chaplin conveys that people must rise against dictators and unite with peace. During the 1940s, the speech gave a ray of hope to the people suffering during that time. The Film proved Charlie Chaplin as not only a great comedian and entertainer but also a great orator. 

Great Dictator Movie Facts

• Chaplin banned the film in Germany and all Nazi countries.
• This film was Chaplin’s first talking and all-sound film.
• Charlie Chaplin said wearing a Hitler costume made him more aggressive and uncomfortable.
• The British government warned Chaplin that they would ban the film.
• President Franklin D.Roosevelt encouraged Chaplin to do this film.
• This movie crossed $5million US dollars at that time.