The Champion

This is one of 5 Chaplin that are on the first DVD of Chaplin's Essanay Comedies. In general, compared to volume 2, the shorts on volume 1 aren't as well-made--because the DVDs are arranged chronologically. Chaplin's skill as a film maker and actor appeared to improve through his stay with Essanay Studios.

This short is not great, but compared to the previous Essanay shorts, it is a major improvement. That's because this short is more like a mini-movie and is very plot-driven--something ALL great Chaplin shorts have in common. The final boxing sequence is funny but makes no sense--just turn off your brain and enjoy.

By the way,...I like the dog in the film. Dogs like this are cool.

Charlie Chaplin in the prize ring; his admirers will chuckle at the bare thought, and roar when they see the picture. The scenes in the training quarters are a steady laugh, but when Charlie faces his opponent in the roped arena, the fun is more than doubled. There have, doubtless, been burlesque boxing matches ever since the birth of the drama, but this one knocks them all out. It is a three-round "go" that grows in excitement and hilarity at every blow struck. While it must be admitted that Charlies wins the championship on a foul (with the help of his bull dog), everyone will be delighted with the result. A two-reel side-splitter. - The Moving Picture World, March 27, 1915

The Champion is a simple little front for great physical comedy in the context of a sports movie. Charlie Chaplin is the real champion of the story, ensuring that at 30 minutes of silent movie length The Champion is a sufficiently entertaining comedy loaded with the entertaining slapstick and comedic dynamics that make him the iconic comedian he is today. It's a fun venture, moving him from being the sophisticated man in a suit to being an unusually talented boxer. It maintains a classical feel with much of the original vaudeville atmosphere to it, and supplies a good slap of many sticks from the hands of the man himself, Charlie Chaplin.

With lots of good material, an interesting (if humorously implausible) story, and some secondary characters that are used well, "The Champion" is a very good short comedy, and is easily one of the best of Charlie Chaplin's early comedies.

It begins with Charlie answering a prize-fighter's request for sparring partners, and starting from there Chaplin gets involved in some adventures that, though lacking any believability, are quite amusing. Most of the sequences make use of the secondary characters more than is usual for Chaplin's early features. Early in the story, while Charlie and the other fighters are waiting for their turn, it makes good use of the mannerisms and expressions of the others, as well as Chaplin himself. In the main fight scene, the activity in the ring is funny, creative, and well-choreographed - there are moments when it is almost as good as the celebrated boxing scene in "City Lights". That's not to say, of course, that overall this short movie approaches such a standard of greatness, but it is a well-made and entertaining little comedy.

'The Champion' is a nice short film by Charlie Chaplin and of course with Charlie Chaplin. Watching him I always admire his skills. I don't know if you can call it acting but whatever you call it he is great with it. This short starts as a real story but soon it can come to the moment where Chaplin can show his skills. This time in a boxing contest and the preparation before it. There are some very funny moments and most of it was not that predictable. That is the case very often in the shorts of Charlie Chaplin but not so much in this one. I also liked the way the music played together with the performances, it made the whole thing funnier. Definitely worth a watch.