The Great Dictator is a 1940 American satirical comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, scored by, and starring British comedian Charlie Chaplin, following the tradition of many of his other films. Having been the only Hollywood filmmaker to continue to make silent films well into the period of sound films, Chaplin made this his first true sound film. Chaplin's film advanced a stirring condemnation of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, fascism, antisemitism, and the Nazis. At the time of its first release, the United States was still formally at peace with Nazi Germany and neutral during what were the early days of World War II. Chaplin plays both leading roles: a ruthless fascist dictator and a persecuted Jewish barber. The Great Dictator was popular with audiences, becoming Chaplin's most commercially successful film. Modern critics have praised it as a historically significant film, one of the greatest comedy films ever made and an important work of satire.
| Director | Charlie Chaplin |
| Produced by | Charlie Chaplin |
| Writer(s) | Charlie Chaplin |
| Starring | Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Henry Daniell, Reginald Gardiner, Billy Gilbert, Maurice Moscovich |
| Music | Charlie Chaplin, Meredith Willson |
| Cinematography | Karl Struss, Roland Totheroh |
| Edited by | Willard Nico, Harold Rice |
| Production, company | Charles Chaplin Film Corporation |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Released | October 15, 1940 (New York City), October 31, 1940 (United States) |
| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million (US$ in 2015 dollars) |
| Box office | $3.5 million (US rentals) |
| Netflix ID | 60028133 |
About The Great Dictator
Chaplin's first talkie film, he satirizes horrific dictators like Adolf Hitler and also plays a poor Jewish barber.
Achievement of The Great Dictator
Chaplin wrote, directed, and produced the film. It was nominated for a total of five Academy Awards.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About The Great Dictator
Hitler's Reign of Terror (1934), possibly the first American anti-Nazi film.. To Be or Not to Be (February 15, 1942), a dark comedy about living in Nazi-occupied Warsaw (also remade in 1983 by Mel Brooks ).. Anti-fascist propaganda films.. Cultural depictions of Benito Mussolini.. Esperanto-language films.. Films about fascists.. Anti-war films about World War II.. Films directed by Charlie Chaplin.. American political satire films.. Fictional dictators.. Films set in Europe.. Cultural depictions of Adolf Hitler.. Military humor in film.. American satirical films.
Latest information about The Great Dictator updated on July 28 2021.
