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Shoulder Arms

Shoulder Arms

1918
Comedy, War
Short Film
36m
Charlie is in boot camp in the "awkward squad." Once in France he gets no letters from home. He finally gets a package containing limburger cheese which requires a gas mask and which he throws over into the German trench... (imdb)
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Shoulder Arms

1918
Comedy, War
Short Film
36m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 54.7% from 271 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(271)
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Rated 09 Sep 2012
83
72nd
The first half is good, but the second half surpasses it, particularly the hilarious tree sequence.
Rated 26 Feb 2009
80
57th
The gags don't really drive this one; it instead relies on it's entertaining plot and surprisingly rich cinematography.
Rated 21 Sep 2009
83
72nd
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.
Rated 08 Oct 2020
75
82nd
Charlie the Doughboy picks off the enemy one by one as he disguises himself as a tree and a Hun. Delightfully funny in parts with some moments of real terror. Despite the somewhat disappointing ending (it was all a dream) still a film full of pathos.
Rated 26 Mar 2012
83
83rd
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.
Rated 16 Aug 2008
66
26th
Good fun. I love the group shot near the end : )
Rated 11 Nov 2007
40
16th
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.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
70
39th
70.000
Rated 30 Mar 2009
60
47th
A lot of corny gags. Two of them work
Rated 31 Mar 2014
64
82nd
WIth his second picture for First National, we really see the benefits of Chaplin having his own studio: this was by far his best-looking picture to date, with a mix of memorably detailed and creative set-pieces and nicely shot outdoor sequences, and some honest-to-goodness camera movement at last. Much of the comedy, although not bad, doesn't really measure up to the film's visual appeal, but it is entertaining (the tree bit is especially nice).
Rated 25 May 2009
3
45th
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.
Rated 18 May 2018
85
59th
Viewed May 17, 2018.
Rated 30 Jul 2020
50
10th
Not funny or clever, and should have ended after the first reel, but I have to admit he got me with the ending. Kinda reminds me of the old "joke's on them I was only pretending" comic.
Rated 15 Aug 2021
60
44th
Chaplin dons an army uniform and tackles World War I shortly before its end. Don't expect a realistic depiction of the brutalities of war: some of the hardships of trench life are indeed portrayed in the first part, albeit with kid gloves, while the rest of the movie features the Tramp in farcical, outrageous scenarios that are nevertheless entertaining, perhaps in an attempt to soothe a nation in war. The finale, although a frowned-upon plot device nowadays, justifies the far-fetched antics.

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