The Great Dictator Charlie Chaplin

chaplin satirising adolf hitler in great dictator (1940)

the 1940s saw chaplin face series of controversies, both in work , in personal life, changed fortunes , severely affected popularity in united states. first of these growing boldness in expressing political beliefs. disturbed surge of militaristic nationalism in 1930s world politics, chaplin found not keep these issues out of work. parallels between himself , adolf hitler had been noted: pair born 4 days apart, both had risen poverty world prominence, , hitler wore same toothbrush moustache chaplin. physical resemblance supplied plot chaplin s next film, great dictator, directly satirised hitler , attacked fascism.

chaplin spent 2 years developing script, , began filming in september 1939 – 6 days after britain declared war on germany. had submitted using spoken dialogue, partly out of acceptance had no other choice, because recognised better method delivering political message. making comedy hitler seen highly controversial, chaplin s financial independence allowed him take risk. determined go ahead, later wrote, hitler must laughed at. chaplin replaced tramp (while wearing similar attire) jewish barber , reference nazi party s belief jewish. in dual performance, played dictator adenoid hynkel , parodied hitler.

the great dictator spent year in production , released in october 1940. film generated vast amount of publicity, critic new york times calling eagerly awaited picture of year , , 1 of biggest money-makers of era. ending unpopular, however, , generated controversy. chaplin concluded film five-minute speech in abandoned barber character, looked directly camera, , pleaded against war , fascism. charles j. maland has identified overt preaching triggering decline in chaplin s popularity, , writes, henceforth, no movie fan ever able separate dimension of politics [his] star image . great dictator received 5 academy award nominations, including best picture, best original screenplay , best actor.

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