Der große Diktator (1940)

Der große Diktator: Directed by Charles Chaplin. With Charles Chaplin, Jack Oakie, Reginald Gardiner, Henry Daniell. Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel’s regime.

“The tagline of u0026#39;The Great Dictatoru0026#39; is u0026#39;the comedy masterpieceu0026#39;, and I couldnu0026#39;t think of a better line to sum this film up. Itu0026#39;s a hilarious political satire, but it also delivers a vitally important message. This film was released at the time when Hitler was at the height of his power and the main character, dictator Hynkel, is obviously a reference to him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCharlie Chaplin is simply outstanding in this film in what was his first spoken role. To play two completely different characters, Hynkel and the Jewish barber, so convincingly in the same film is truly remarkable. Chaplinu0026#39;s speech at the end, which is very much HIS speech even though heu0026#39;s playing a character, is a piece of cinema I will never forget. Such a powerful, moving and compelling speech that remains relevant even today.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMaking a comedy out of such a tragedy is risky business, but Chaplinu0026#39;s anti-fascist message ensured it wasnu0026#39;t taken the wrong way. u0026#39;The Great Dictatoru0026#39; is a hilarious but meaningful and powerful film. A brilliant piece of cinema.”