Watch
The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator

1940
Comedy, Drama
2h 5m
In Chaplin's satire on Nazi Germany, dictator Adenoid Hynkel has a double... a poor Jewish barber... who one day is mistaken for Hynkel.
Your probable score
?

The Great Dictator

1940
Comedy, Drama
2h 5m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 74.42% from 4249 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(4249)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 17 Aug 2021
100
97th
This is a great satire that mocks racism, the war machine, and the childish appeal of fascism. Chaplin was so ahead of his time, he targeted Adolph Hitler before the American government did. As a picture it could be stronger as the alternating between dictator & everyday man is sometimes off. But the gags are fun--including some slapstick and montages that call back to film's silent era. Sadly, the movie holds up for that last speech, which touches on still current problems. Highly recommended.
Rated 03 Dec 2019
75
80th
It's an odd thing to sit through a two hour film of moving pictures just to listen to a speech.
Rated 19 Oct 2008
90
97th
The difference between Hitler and Chaplin! A wonderful movie that criticises the facts insults humanity. Great example of social response of an artist.
Rated 22 Oct 2008
95
87th
The first time I saw this, I was completely blown away. This is a terrific, hysterical comedy from the genius Chaplin. Although a bit naive at times, it's still a joy to watch.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
3
28th
Hasn't aged well. Bad pacing, most of the jokes are terrible and the ending speech makes no sense in the context of the film. The character that barely can string 2 words together suddenly says the most coherent, meaningful, and poignant thing in the entire film and all this off the top of his head while speaking to the entire world? Just seemed to scripted and way too fake. Maybe Bukowski was right about Chaplin..
Rated 25 Mar 2012
75
65th
It's about as subtle as getting raped by an elephant. Balls of steel.
Rated 28 Jun 2010
94
97th
This is my first Chaplin film and what a way to start off. Anyone who says that slapstick comedy can't have a relevant and biting political message that is crucially important needs to watch this. Admittedly I felt a bit guilty laughing at some of these jokes but as Mel Brooks said the best way to insult Hilter is to effectively dance on his grave by making fun of him.
Rated 18 Oct 2011
75
68th
It's too long, at times sappy, and all the barber bits feel like Chaplin on autopilot. Despite these flaws the film is an interesting product of its time with several very strong (and hilarious) moments and a powerful speech to top it all off.
Rated 30 Jul 2012
95
91st
The final speech isn't the pure sentimentality that many believe. It's a commentary on the skewering power of speech/talkies: the idea that no matter what someone's talking about (whether it's the barber's hope or Hitler's hate), if the speaker looks right and talks right, the masses will be convinced. It's also a very funny movie.
Rated 10 Jul 2018
86
90th
It feels a little wrong for my first real exposure to the biggest silent era movie star ever, Charlie Chaplin, to come in the form of this propaganda talkie. However with that said, Chaplin for the most part, was as funny as I had hoped. Although, the story serving as a framework for the anti-fascist satire, left a lot to be desired at points. In the end I found myself enjoying the low-brow anti-Nazi farces of the Three Stooges' "You Nazty Spy"(1940) or "I'll Never Heil Again"(1941) a tad more.
Rated 11 Jun 2008
77
79th
I think I prefer Charlie to be silent as I found this to be neither as funny nor as heartwarming as his earlier works. Without the speech at the end of this one I may have scored it another tier up.
Rated 09 Aug 2008
80
98th
Brave, Beautiful, Brilliant. I had to control my breathing to hold back the tears at the end. Chaplin is like the teacher at school that made learning fun and inspiring.
Rated 23 Dec 2008
91
99th
A classic. And, unlike most other classics, rightly so. Chaplin is phenomenal in this/these role(s). The hand-shaking scene is incredibly funny, the dancing-with-the-globe scene is timelessly impressive and the final speech is... well... don't have too many words for it, I must admit... In short: this is one of my favourite films ever, and the only one that really stood the test of time (so far).
Rated 05 Sep 2009
78
93rd
The greatest silent film star can also give one of the greatest film speeches. Who knew?
Rated 28 Jun 2015
73
65th
I suppose if i were ranking it on historical value i would rank much higher. But being a simple minded caveman i rank it on my own entertainment value...and chaplin has been both funnier and more touching in other films. I also felt many jokes dragged on too long resulting in that dreaded feeling: boredom. Still plenty to like if not love despite that
Rated 06 Apr 2016
84
83rd
A few weak spots here and there keep this from being on the same level as his earlier works, but Chaplin still manages to be just as fun with sound as without. His passion for liberty and the persecuted is commendable. And in the end he literally gives the voiceless a voice - probably the best thing he could do.
Rated 04 Jun 2017
70
45th
Wish I could rate it higher, but in many ways it just didn't gel for me. Chaplin was good, but Goddard seemed rehashed from the Modern Times girl. Hynkel's first speech was priceless, but after that he seemed to be parodying Swedish more than German. And as much as I appreciated the delivery and sentiment of the final speech, it didn't fit. Like he was saying, "yeah yeah we all enjoyed the satire, but forget that and listen to what I really have to say."
Rated 29 Mar 2007
75
90th
Chaplin has a creative and childish mind. His perception of worldy problems can be his strenght and weakness at the same time. The ending speech ruins the movie for me, it surely jerks tears after the stupendous show, but what has already been shown needs no explanation.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
A beautiful, humanistic and histerically hilarious film, by the brilliant, genius Charles Chaplin. The only movie I know that could make your tears come out for both reasons.
Rated 26 Dec 2008
100
99th
Charles Chaplin was a genius. In this film, first of all, he was brave, for everything that was the film, with the war still going on. The film is entirely made of classic scenes, and the largest of them, is that Hynkel playing with the globe of the world, great. It is a daring film for its time, a true masterpiece, where the tragic and the comic are beautiful.
Rated 26 Mar 2011
60
26th
Groundbreaking in its skewering of the Fascist leaders of the time. But one must give credit where credit is due. The Three Stooges were the first Hollywood act to attack Hitler with comedic punches and jabs, not Chaplin. While The Dictator is the more polished of these comedies, and therefore is considered bold, it also has some very tired gags which seem to drag on. Take away its social commentary and daring satire, and the film could be considered Chaplin's weakest film to date.
Rated 15 Aug 2011
85
84th
The world of sound does nothing to hinder Chaplin's comedic skills; in fact, he implements it quite impressively in several sequences to enhance the slapstick. As a satire, it's a tad blatant, but it works with his style. He's kind of a bombastic director to begin with, so amplifying the absurdity of the times seems not so out of place. The final speech was touching, but the shots following it were truly the ones that knocked me out of the park.
Rated 08 Aug 2016
71
64th
The story itself didn't do much for me and didn't really add much to the satire. But there were some absolutely fantastic individual moments of satire and/or humor that make it worth while. The great speech at the end was a nice addition, though I've seen it several times before (and it also made almost no sense within the narrative).
Rated 23 Aug 2016
100
99th
The Great Dictator (1940) is NOT Chaplin's funniest, but it's his BEST! Satire since untouched, historic circumstance make it such. Desperate plea for peace did not help the war cease. Five years of cruelty no comedy could heal.... Chaplin did a damn good try and that's The Great Dictator's main appeal!
Rated 08 Jan 2017
83
77th
The films jumps around from light-hearted slapstick to political satire to depressing Holocaust film and back again and these jarring shifts in tone ultimately detract from the film as a whole, but when it's good, it's good. When certain comedic scenes fall together perfectly, when certain political points hit their mark, it is affecting. And of course, there's that ending, an incredibly powerful editorial by the film-maker himself that's alarmingly become relevant again in a Trumpian age.
Rated 06 Feb 2017
86
94th
Chaplin's duality on display is nothing short of mesmerizing to witness. Hilarious, provocative, prescient, and deeply sad.
Rated 24 Dec 2017
91
97th
The pacing is troubled, but the satire mixed with classic Chaplin slapstick is glorious. As the film draws to a close, the gaze into the camera feels like a final wave goodbye to silent film and all its simplicity.
Rated 01 Mar 2021
70
41st
The pacing is terrible, and a large percentage of it is more didactic plea to audience than movie. But it still made me laugh a few times, and I have to give Charlie points if only for the audacity.
Rated 14 Apr 2007
50
33rd
Not the least bit funny but the speech at the end, however naive, is great
Rated 06 Jul 2007
80
72nd
With its moments of great brilliance, The Great Dictater ultimately disappoints because Chaplin doesn't seem to know when to stop. It feels overlong by at least half an hour, and several key scenes, especially the speech, would have benefited from careful cutting. There's a self-indulgent quality that undermines the very real genius on display. If only the whole picture could have been as good as its best scenes. . .
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
89th
Excellent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
57
14th
Far too flawed to consider a masterpiece. I loved watching Hitler and Mussolini get skewered so perfectly. Almost all the Hynkel scenes are great (except the bizarre balloon globe scene, which doesn't fit). The rest of the movie... eh. I find it hard to laugh at comedy pieces that involve the persecution of the Jews. Chaplin's heart is in the right place, but his attempts are misguided. Especially in regards to the final speech, which is a fine speech, but feels tremendously out of place.
Rated 02 Sep 2009
89
81st
It has some of Chaplin's lousiest moments... but also some of his finest.
Rated 09 Sep 2009
75
44th
There are some great bits (loved the coin in the pudding gag) that on their own would merit a much higher score, but the film is too tonally uneven and the ending is less than cohesive.
Rated 24 Aug 2010
4
34th
Personally, I just didn't think much of it at all. Other Chaplin pictures humor has held up with ease but it was definitely out of date here. Dull and pointless parts were distracting me quite a bit also.
Rated 07 Mar 2011
77
60th
Even less funny than the other Chaplin pieces I've seen, but in this rare case the release year actually earns most of the points.
Rated 03 Jul 2011
82
68th
Though I prefer silent Chaplin, this one still retained much of the charm of his earlier work, especially since his Jewish Barber character barely speaks. I've heard complaints that the final speech is out of place, given that up until that point the character had uttered about ten words. I think that's the joke/point. Chaplin has seldom been heard to speak prior to this, and what he has to say is profound and life affirming. That he satirized Hitler like this in 1940 is amazing to me.
Rated 03 Oct 2011
74
48th
in '36 chaplin dabbles with sound, in '40 he pulls off a full on talkie, by this point it seems unnatural and sadly the movie suffers greatly from it. it's got a couple humorous parts, they're too rare to make a difference. i've got to say the even though the speech at the time is a huge mouthful of propaganda it was still pretty damned good. if possible, steer yourself toward modern times, there's no doubt about that one's brilliance.
Rated 04 Oct 2011
40
19th
Somewhere in The Great Dictator there's a great movie. Perhaps a much shorter version would be better. But there's other problems as well. Chaplin clearly doesn't quite know what to do with a talkie. The "silent" bits are oftentimes the funniest bits, but they stick out like sore thumbs. And about 50% of the comedic bits just fall flat. Really, some of Chaplin's worst stuff is in this movie. All that being said, the ambition of this film is inspirational.
Rated 22 Nov 2011
85
91st
Chaplin gets to exact revenge on the man who stole his mustache.
Rated 18 Dec 2011
75
57th
I have extremely mixed feelings about this film. On one hand, the parts actually satirizing Hitler and other dictators are excellent and often hilarious. On the other hand, I just found the Ghetto parts mostly depressing.
Rated 27 Mar 2012
74
83rd
In terms of entertainment value it's okay - but given its historical context The Great Dictator is incredible. There is no subtlety here, Chaplin is out to make Hitler an object of ridicule and this after him conquering mainland Europe. All the stuff with Mussolini was great and I don't get the hate for the globe scene, it was eerie as well as hilarious.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
50
56th
A few really good scenes are not enough to carry the whole movie. The overall plot is just boring and feels rushed and pointless.
Rated 11 Apr 2014
90
70th
Daring for its time, I'll agree. This is slapstick humor pointing and laughing at the things that, while we're free to make fun of today, was incredibly NOT in Chaplin's time. You have to give him points for that, not to mention the speech at the end that just drove the point home: Yes, the film was a comedy. But it was made to illustrate the image of war in a way that the American public could identify with, which was comedy. The movie sends a message throughout the humor and it was beautiful.
Rated 15 Jul 2014
90
94th
This movie was great but overlong. Gave us one of the most iconic speeches in film history. I read somewhere that this movie was controversial at the time which is funny now considering how Hitler is made fun of on the regular and we Americans like to point out how our participation won the second World War.
Rated 09 Jan 2015
60
52nd
This movie have some serious problems.
Rated 27 Mar 2016
99
99th
The "Dictator" Speech is one of the best and most emotional messages in film history.
Rated 26 Sep 2016
84
73rd
The open mocking of dictatorship is brazen and unforgettable. The first 20 minutes are classic Chaplin. However, it's somewhat difficult and even disturbing to watch the slapstick ghetto scenes from a modern perspective, knowing the true horrors of Nazi Germany. Most will have heard at least part of the ending speech, which is deservedly praised.
Rated 04 Jul 2017
90
99th
Just endind speach / preach make this movie good enough to consider as a 75+ movie. And adding other classic Chaplin assets make this film one of the best
Rated 23 Sep 2017
50
38th
I don't want to ick everyone's yum but there is exactly one great scene in this, and everything else is honestly a waste of time. That said, the scene in question is fantastic - easily one of the best (if not the best) speeches ever put to film. But you're just as well off watching it on youtube.
Rated 08 Mar 2018
8
92nd
An amazing movie when you consider the timing of its making and release. For me the pacing felt wrong and many of the set pieces dragged.
Rated 18 May 2018
81
90th
Excellent social commentary (for it's time) in between mediocre slapstick humor.
Rated 20 Feb 2019
89
69th
88.50
Rated 23 Feb 2019
75
76th
A bit disappointing how somebody so adept at pantomime can be so unnecessary wordy in speech. The political commentary also stays a bit weak in comparison to the slapstick - but the slapstick is great, of course, as are Chaplin's faux-German rants.
Rated 05 Apr 2019
85
57th
Chaplin's great work here is in his creation of Hynkel, which is amazing to watch. Unfortunately, I suspect that my ability to enjoy long stretches of physical humour is declining over time, and while the finale speech is regrettably still relevant (just substitute "radio" with "internet"), it also feels tacked on: like, now that you've had dinner at my place, you're obliged to listen to my rant about the problem with kids these days.
Rated 31 Jan 2020
100
99th
Delicate balancing act between Chaplin's signature slapstick and a more savage and dark satire gives this film a wonderfully uneasy and even uncomfortable tension, as we watch Chaplin's Little Tramp essentially take on Hitler (an amusing meta-concept in of itself). Chaplin's performance (especially as the frenetic Hynkel) might be the best of his career, leading to a stunning and poignant climactic speech which unfortunately still resonates during the Trump administration in 2020.
Rated 19 Jun 2020
90
91st
Gee, I sure am glad fascism is a thing of the past... oh wait
Rated 28 Feb 2021
60
65th
bu verilen koyu yeşil puanları birer sürü psikolojisinden öte göremiyorum. cesaretine büyük saygım var, yılına göre de belli başlı bir iş. ama bu puanlar asla kabul edilemez. sanat bazen de kişisel değildir.
Rated 30 Apr 2021
61
74th
Seen: 2. A bit inflated, and the tone management isn't great, but this is one of Chaplin's best.
Rated 10 Nov 2021
77
72nd
Chaplins shenanigans don't realy trandfer too good into the talkies. The speech at the end though.
Rated 04 Jan 2007
61
26th
Not Chaplin's best but historically important. Has some good moments.
Rated 10 Jan 2007
96
97th
Chaplin's timeless humor makes this still one of the funniest comedies of all time. Wonderfully dark.
Rated 28 Feb 2007
16
90th
Worth it just for the final soliloquy, but the Brahms-shave and mesmerising globe dance are equally magnificent. Chaplin's best and a potent satire.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
84
70th
The Great Dictator isn't one of the best Chaplin movies, but it's still great in its own right.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
80
78th
While it doesn't say anything new (even by contemporary standards) about Fascism or Nazism, at least it made a stand without resorting to being just more propaganda. But it's not just broad political satire, Chaplin is his usual amazing self here, and the scene with the bouncing globe is one of the funniest cinematic moments of all time.
Rated 01 Apr 2007
90
76th
Very funny
Rated 13 Jun 2007
90
72nd
Takes its time building up and can sometimes drag a little, but the way the entire film culminates into Chaplin's breathtaking final speech is both hysterical and moving.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
89
87th
Heil Hynkel!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
97
95th
Come on, you commies!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
79th
Flawed but great.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
62nd
Score based on distant memory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
74th
Chaplin at some of his BEST.
Rated 29 Aug 2007
88
87th
Chaplin is terrific. A very funny film. Not as good as The Gold Rush or Modern Times but still great. Chaplin was genius.
Rated 30 Aug 2007
80
84th
Must take into account that Chaplin made this movie when Hitlers popularity on the world was still high. And no, they are not the same person, regardless the funny moustache
Rated 16 Sep 2007
85
94th
Funny. Great speech at the end.
Rated 23 Sep 2007
80
74th
Chaplin is funny, but the guy playing Mussolini steals the show.
Rated 07 Jan 2008
75
75th
Besides the ending, it stands the test of time very well.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
92
92nd
Briliant piece by a brilian man.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
87
79th
# 252
Rated 27 Jun 2008
93
98th
Great
Rated 02 Jul 2008
90
70th
Chaplin genious
Rated 24 Jul 2008
90
92nd
Chaplin at his finest. It does get naive sometimes, but, honestly, it doesn't bother me at all.
Rated 06 Aug 2008
9
97th
I don't like Charlie Chaplin and I also think this is his best movie.
Rated 18 Sep 2008
5
80th
The ghetto re-enactment is painful to watch (not that he could have known). That aside, more of the infinitely entertaining Chaplin genius.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
80
84th
Right up there with modern times.
Rated 02 Oct 2008
90
95th
THE Chaplin movie beside the typical tramp movies. I must say, being German, that he gives a really good interpretation of German may sound like to speaker of other languages.
Rated 07 Nov 2008
100
98th
My favorite Chaplin
Rated 27 Nov 2008
100
96th
O melhor filme da história do cinema! Chaplin transpira genialidade a cada quadro.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
88
76th
234
Rated 25 Jan 2009
75
74th
Chaplin, a hero! Some very good scenes in this movie (although some parts are boring)!
Rated 11 Feb 2009
95
68th
Chaplin manages to make a political commentary a peice of film history
Rated 04 Mar 2009
40
71st
Chaplin takes two roles -- a Jewish ghetto barber and a Hitler caricature -- in a bravado attempt, circa 1940, to deflate Naziism with fun-making and speech-making. Even in the most famous scene (Der Fuehrer, or Der Phooey, romping in private with his world globe), there is an underlying discomfort about the movie's inadequacy to its subject, and worse, its inappropriateness.
Rated 18 Mar 2009
82
84th
Really great movie, comedy as they don't make it anymore. It's old but still actual and some scenes are just hilarious. eg the scene with the grenate, or with the coins in the pudding.. Laughed more with chaplin's film than with most of modern comedies. It's also a great way of presenting the problems in the world and it has a nice psychological touch. Mix this all together and you get a great movie: this movie.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
70
34th
saw this in grade 10 drama class. the only better drama class was the one when we watched star wars.
Rated 01 May 2009
85
92nd
wonderful
Rated 10 May 2009
50
67th
Chaplin's satire on Hitler has a few funny moments, but the rest is heavy going, the production is cheeseparing, and the final speech to the world is a grave mistake.
Rated 21 Jun 2009
50
23rd
Already dated before the war ended. Even Chaplain himself thought so.
Rated 15 Jul 2009
80
48th
The more I watch Charlie Chaplin, the more I enjoy his work. My first Chaplin movie was Modern Times and I didn't think I'd like it alot I proceeded to watch The Gold Rush after and even that's good! The Great Dictator is a Chaplin talkie and he has a terrific voice. Definitely a great actor to watch on screen.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
62
56th
It's enjoyable and clever, but I don't love it. I realised that's movie blasphemy to some!
Rated 14 Sep 2009
88
85th
Brilliant satire.

Collections

(108)
Compact view
Showing 1 - 24 of 108 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...