Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin

2003

2 hr. 12 min.

Documentary

List

95%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

An icon of early 20th-century cinema, silent film legend Charlie Chaplin is the subject of this expansive documentary. Featuring narration by Sydney Pollack, the production takes a chronological look at Chaplin's life and work, notably moving from his earliest screen appearances, to the creation of his famous Little Tramp character, to his beloved feature films of the 1920s and '30s. Also included are interviews with members of Chaplin's family and a number of his celebrity admirers.

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Audience Member

Pretty solid acting. Would've given it 5 stars but some parts run on and are a bit choppy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I substantially prefer this wonderful and unique documentary over all Chaplin's works commentaries by the mighty "Criterion Collection".

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I have never watched a "tramp" movie..but who hasn't heard of Charlie..I enjoyed getting to knw the a lil better..n i freakin love RDJ...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best biography of person ever .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Documental pertinente para todos aquellos que desconocen la genialidad de Chaplin. Alguno que otro dato interesante para aquellos que ya sabiamos de la importancia de este monstruo de la comedia.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Uma das mais belas homenagens já feitas, com uma plena certeza, posso dizer que está foi a melhor atuação do Robert Downey Jr.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Richard Schickel

Director

Sydney Pollack

Narrator

Richard Schickel

Screenwriter

Douglas Freeman

Producer

Bryan McKenzie

Producer

Richard Schickel

Producer

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

... a model of the genre, in which we see genius as well as hear about it...

Jan 26, 2018

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

I urge everyone to see it.

Feb 26, 2004

Full Review

Megan Lehmann

New York Post

It is crammed to the gills with a fine selection of the beloved comic's best work, with talking-head commentary serving to deepen and enrich the enjoyment.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 13, 2004

Full Review

Mark Bourne

DVDJournal.com

The new generations represented here -- Depp, Scorsese, etc. -- remind us that Chaplin's best work does not confine his brilliance to bygone years. Or even to the 20th Century.

Apr 14, 2006

Full Review

Jeff Vice

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

It's hard to argue with any film that features so much footage of Chaplin at his best.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 19, 2004

Full Review

Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

Pity the poor film-school student who will have to sit through this dry-as-dust documentary.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 19, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

An icon of early 20th-century cinema, silent film legend Charlie Chaplin is the subject of this expansive documentary. Featuring narration by Sydney Pollack, the production takes a chronological look at Chaplin's life and work, notably moving from his earliest screen appearances, to the creation of his famous Little Tramp character, to his beloved feature films of the 1920s and '30s. Also included are interviews with members of Chaplin's family and a number of his celebrity admirers.

Director: Richard Schickel
Screenwriter: Richard Schickel
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English