Guide Note

The Great Dictator is a 1940 American comedy film co-directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin.

Fast Facts

1. Directors: Charlie Chaplin, Wheeler Dryden
2. Producer: Charlie Chaplin
3. Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard
4. Released: October 15, 1940
5. Run time: 124 min
6. Budget: 2 million USD
7. Nominated for 5 Oscars
8. Charlie Chaplin's first "talkie" film

In his first film with sync sound, The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin condemns Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, portraying Hitler in a very goofy manner.

Chaplin, as Adenoid Hynkel, seeks world domination, persecuting and destroying anything that threatens his mission along the way. In a memorable scene, Hynkel meets with Benzino Napaloni (an obvious jab at Mussolini) to discuss war tactics, which ends in a comedic food fight.

Hynkel realizes by the film's end, however, that his antisemitic ideals are wrong, and that democracy and freedom are the true paths to happiness.

Though The Great Dictator is considered a classic by virtually all critics--even boasting a 100% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes--Hitler's speech at the end, which preaches for peace and hope--is often looked down upon as an unnecessary break from the film's overall satirical tone.