The Great Dictator
Once again - the whole world laughs!
1940 • 125 min • Comedy · War
Synopsis
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
Our family guide
Best from age 10- 100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
- 83 Audience · 3755 · 49%
Charlie Chaplin
- Violence & peril
- 3/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 2/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 1/10
- Scary moments
- 3/10
Heads up
- Depicts the rise of a totalitarian regime and persecution.
- Some comedic violence and slapstick.
- Themes of war and hatred are central to the story.
What it models well
- Courage in the face of oppression
- The importance of speaking out
- Humanity and empathy
Talk about it after
- The real-world history behind the satire
- The power of words and speeches
- Why standing up against injustice is crucial
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Great Dictator. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
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Top billed cast
Director: Charlie Chaplin • Crew: Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Adenoid Hynkel, Dictator of Tomania / A Jewish Barber
Paulette Goddard
Hannah
Jack Oakie
Benzino Napaloni, Dictator of Bacteria
Reginald Gardiner
Commander Schultz
Henry Daniell
Garbitsch
Billy Gilbert
Field Marshal Herring
Grace Hayle
Madame Napaloni
Carter DeHaven
Spook
Maurice Moscovitch
Mr. Jaeckel
Emma Dunn
Mrs. Jaeckel
Trailers & clips
Original Trailer
Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator
Three Reasons: The Great Dictator
THE GREAT DICTATOR Trailer (1940) - The Criterion Collection
Reviewer notes
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersForever great, forever relevant as dictators and dictator-wannabes do their best to deprive the humans of their humanity.
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersIn September 1939, six days after Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, Charlie Chaplin began filming his next feature. Drawing on the public perception of the similarities between himself and Adolf Hitler - not just his toothbrush moustache but also their upbringings - Chaplin sought to directly parody and attack the German führer and fascism.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 8.3/10 (3,755)
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $2,000,000
- Box office
- $11,000,000
- IMDb
- tt0032553
