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The Great Dictator

Play trailer 1:54 Poster for The Great Dictator G Released Oct 15, 1940 2h 8m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After dedicated service in the Great War, a Jewish barber (Charles Chaplin) spends years in an army hospital recovering from his wounds, unaware of the simultaneous rise of fascist dictator Adenoid Hynkel (also Chaplin) and his anti-Semitic policies. When the barber, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Hynkel, returns to his quiet neighborhood, he is stunned by the brutal changes and recklessly joins a beautiful girl (Paulette Goddard) and her neighbors in rebelling.
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The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator

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Critics Consensus

Charlie Chaplin demonstrates that his comedic voice is undiminished by dialogue in this rousing satire of tyranny, which may be more distinguished by its uplifting humanism than its gags.

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Critics Reviews

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Kat Sachs Chicago Reader Chaplin’s iconic speech at the end of the film is only too relevant nowadays. Feb 7, 2025 Full Review William Goss Film.com The first full-blown talkie from the biggest star of the silent era, complete with a message that Chaplin couldn't have sent more loudly or clearly. Jun 1, 2011 Full Review TIME Magazine Through no fault of Chaplin's, during the two years he was at work on the picture dictators became too sinister for comedy. Sep 3, 2010 Full Review George Orwell Time and Tide What is Chaplin’s peculiar gift? It is his power to stand for a sort of concentrated essence of the common man, for the ineradicable belief in decency that exists in the hearts of ordinary people, at any rate in the West. Oct 2, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... confronts the hatred and anti-Semitism of Hitler’s Germany in the days before America’s entry into World War II while lampooning the despots responsible. Aug 19, 2023 Full Review Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia It works wonderfully, but The Great Dictator will perhaps be remembered most fondly for Chaplin’s moving closing speech. Sep 26, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marce S What you excpect from Chaplin's take on the Third Reich. A movie with booth hillarious slapstick as well as sorrowfull depictions of life in the ghetto. Some scenes are a bit to long and not too many sharp-tongued jokes. However you should not miss out on this piece of cinema. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/13/25 Full Review Shane C One of Charlie Chaplins best movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/09/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 2 hours and 8 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Charlie Chaplin as Adolph Hitler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was a parodied character in this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Garrett B A humorous political satire comedy from Charlie Chaplin Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Jacob B My idea of the perfect satire: biting, genuinely funny, ageless and ecumenical in its truly moving final speech. Chaplin was never better. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 Full Review Kim S Hysterical movie with a serious, inspirational ending. I love it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Great Dictator

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Cast & Crew

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Charlie Chaplin

Director

Charlie Chaplin

Adenoid Hynkel

Paulette Goddard

Hannah

Jack Oakie

Napaloni

Reginald Gardiner

Schultz

Henry Daniell

Garbitsch

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The Great Dictator

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The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator (1940) A scene from the film THE GREAT DICTATOR. A scene from the film THE GREAT DICTATOR. A scene from the film THE GREAT DICTATOR. The Great Dictator (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After dedicated service in the Great War, a Jewish barber (Charles Chaplin) spends years in an army hospital recovering from his wounds, unaware of the simultaneous rise of fascist dictator Adenoid Hynkel (also Chaplin) and his anti-Semitic policies. When the barber, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Hynkel, returns to his quiet neighborhood, he is stunned by the brutal changes and recklessly joins a beautiful girl (Paulette Goddard) and her neighbors in rebelling.
Director
Charlie Chaplin
Producer
Charlie Chaplin
Screenwriter
Charlie Chaplin
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Charles Chaplin Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 15, 1940, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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