Adolf Hitler banned the film in Germany and all Nazi-occupied countries. Curiosity got the best of him, and he had a print brought in through Portugal. History records that he screened it twice, in private, but not his reaction. He was said to have laughed only once which was during the 'barber chair scene' between Hynkel and Napaloni. Charles Chaplin said, "I'd give anything to know what he thought of it." West Germany finally lifted the ban in 1958.
The movie was banned in all Nazi-occupied countries, but it was screened to a German audience once. In the occupied Balkans, members of a resistance group switched the reels in a military cinema to this film, which they had smuggled in from Greece. The German soldiers enjoyed the screening until they realized what it was. Some left the cinema, and some reportedly fired shots at the screen.
According to documentaries on the making of the film, Sir Charles Chaplin began to feel more uncomfortable lampooning Adolf Hitler the more he heard of Hitler's actions in Europe. Ultimately, the invasion of France inspired Chaplin to change the ending of his film to include his famous speech.
This film was financed entirely by Sir Charles Chaplin himself and it was his biggest box-office hit.
Sir Charles Chaplin accepted an invitation to perform the movie's climactic speech on national radio.