thus far this is the only silent era chaplin movie i've seen that's actually worth going out of your way to see, which is surprising, because he's had such a lasting impact that the average kindergartener knows who he is.

Good fun. I love the group shot near the end : )

The gags don't really drive this one; it instead relies on it's entertaining plot and surprisingly rich cinematography.

A lot of corny gags. Two of them work

One of Chaplin's best early short films, Shoulder Arms relies on its fantastic camerawork and a patient style that focuses more on characterization than gags. Chaplin's gag on the ladder probably works best of all the comic moments, but the rich portrayal of trench warfare and rubbled homes make this one of the more visually engaging of Chaplin's early films. The ending rings a bit hollow though. I would have bumped it a notch had it ended about 60 seconds earlier.

Slightly less creative and funny than I've come to expect from Chaplin, but still amusing. Interesting as an early example of his political audacity.

Chaplin is great when sentimental, and occasionally great at comedy. He doesn't bring his hankie-material here at all, and his gags fall flat.