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Modern Times

Play trailer Poster for Modern Times G Released Feb 5, 1936 1h 29m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 113 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.
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Modern Times

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Critics Consensus

A slapstick skewering of industrialized America, Modern Times is as politically incisive as it is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

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Critics Reviews

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Ella H. McCormick Detroit Free Press Several high spots stand out as notable examples of Chaplin's expert timing of slapstick burlesque, scenes that are apt to make the spectator shed tears from the strain of laughter. May 6, 2021 Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer There are reminders of every Chaplin picture that was ever made all through Modern Times and there are enough brand new comic inventions to explain why Charlie takes such a long time between pictures and why they are so superlatively worth waiting for. May 6, 2021 Full Review Mae Tinee Chicago Tribune What most amazes you about Modern Times, is the fact that, in this day of superfine sound films, it says everything without saying anything. May 6, 2021 Full Review Jeremy Carr Vague Visages Emblematic of a ‘Hollywood realism,’ with a rather immaculate industrial setting, strategically tattered clothing and deliberately designed destitution. Nov 15, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand The surreal scene of Chaplin being wound through the gears of the factory machinery remains one of the most iconic images in film history: the little guy who manages not to get ground up in the machine. Jun 11, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Modern Times was Chaplin's last brilliant foray into that singular craft that made him a great artist: a pantomime. Rated: 4/4 Mar 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ali Stevenson I love Modern Times so much I came back for the second showing! See my earlier post. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/20/21 Full Review anthony t Modern Times is an interesting film that is highly enjoyable, and funny. You start off by having Charlie Chaplin (Little Tramp) throughout the factory doing his ‘work,’ then following him throughout the film to find a suitable job. This film is one of a lifetime pieces. To think a silent film like this can create such laughter by only seeing the main character doing nothing but being clumsy and missing somewhat common sense. To belief Charlie Chaplin not only wrote, produced, directed and starred in this film is fully inspirational. One has to see this film to fully understand the full love this film rejoices. Not only because of the plot, but because of the amazing acting, and stunts produced within the film. It's just remarkable to see how such a small man can have so much talent to make a whole audience laugh and enjoy an experience like this. This being my first Charlie Chaplin film to ever see, I fully understand why it is loved so much, because I fell in love with it the first time I saw it as well. Overall, I fully encourage plenty of people to see this film with a group of other people who may have also not seen it. You'll laugh, and fall in love with the characters. You'll not only immerse yourself in the time period that this film takes place in, but you'll be immersed into the world of Charlie Chaplin. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review Brennan W Modern Times was a great film when looking back at where it all started. This film, while almost a hundred years old, feels in a lot of ways like its brand new. The main character of the tramp is one that is still known to this day. His role in the film helps take the audience on a wild adventure that not only gives laughs and wacky moments, but touches on real world issues that speak to people even today. Chaplin's ability to act out crazy scenes and entertain an audience for as long as he does says a lot. The film looks great and the set of the factory is so impressive for its time. Overall I enjoyed this film. Most silent films from the 30's can leave a bad taste in my mouth but this one really entertained me. I especially enjoyed the subject matter that the film offers and it opens the room up for conversation that most other silent films wouldn't do. I would higly recommend watching this film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Javier M I’m not a gigantic fan of silent films but an exception is always drawn when it comes to Charlie Chaplin, a true genius. I absolutely enjoyed this film and would definitely recommend it to many people, it is worthy of many watches and it was really entertaining. One observation I spotted is in regards to the year it was released, released during the transition of silent to sound, this might just have been one of the last great silent films made, making this even more of a special film to watch. Undoubtedly, my favorite scene from the film is the scene in the prison where he beats up the prisoners trying to escape and attack the guards all by himself after one of them got busted for sneaking something in, in a hilarious scene Chaplin's character sees the product and eats it with his food, his eyes become so wide after every bite it made me laugh every time. After that, you see Chaplin basically act all chaotic after consuming this, he fools around before not entering his cell, after that the prisoners come in and lock the officers up but Charlie saves the day in a three on one brawl, entertaining stuff. Charlie’s rewarded with immediate freedoms but he denies it as he likes the prison. I also really love the addition of Paulette Goddard’s character, she’s essential to the plot, when we first see her you can just tell how much of a tough and resilient character she is. I adored the relationship between the two as they embark on a journey despite all their setbacks, clearly in love with one another. They’d do anything for each other, she finds a beat up house while he was locked up and makes it their home, she also gets him a job at the club she performs at. Whilst Chaplin’s character helps her when they encounter each other, he takes credit for stealing the bread she stole, and he also sneaks her into his first day on the job of looking out for the mall during the night, letting her sleep comfortably. Overall, great stuff from Chaplin. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Miriam F Modern Times (Writ./Dir. Charlie Chaplin, 1936) is a silent comedy that follows the life of a factory worker and his struggles to maintain an income. Later in the film he befriends an orphaned girl who accompanies him on the rest of his journey and through a constant cycle of getting hired, then getting fired, and even making it to jail. When you take an initial look at the story and just from hearing its basic form, modern audiences could even empathize with these characters given the state of the current economy. Furthermore some scenes fuel the empathy we feel, for example, an instance in which the pair find a home but it is a very run down sort of cabin. Even though they have found a place of which the conditions are questionable, they feel as though this was the long awaited home they’ve longed for. What doesn’t make this film feel as depressing as it sounds is the comedic aspect. In my opinion, the film relies too heavily on this to the point that the main character becomes frustrating. It’s essentially a comedy with no structure and a continuous cycle of the protagonist not knowing how to handle his obstacles. There is a specific scene towards the end of the film in which the protagonist gets hired as a waiter at a cafe and he has to serve a roast duck to a client who has been waiting for a while. However everyone in the place takes to the dance floor and our main character fails to serve the roast duck about 3 times and ultimately ends up losing the duck when the floor clears. This might just not be my type of comedy and I would warn anyone with similar dislikes from watching this film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review William B One of the best movies of the iconic Chaplin. A movie that definitely ages very well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.
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)
Feb 5, 1936, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$163.2K
Runtime
1h 29m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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