The Great Dictator: The Clown Turns Prophet

Video
2011
21m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

In this visual essay, Charles Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance, author of "Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema", draws upon a wealth of photography as well as a wide range of interviews (Paulette ... Read allIn this visual essay, Charles Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance, author of "Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema", draws upon a wealth of photography as well as a wide range of interviews (Paulette Goddard, Sydney Chaplin, Chuck Jones, Leni Riefenstahl, Mel Brooks, Joan Collins et al.) t... Read allIn this visual essay, Charles Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance, author of "Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema", draws upon a wealth of photography as well as a wide range of interviews (Paulette Goddard, Sydney Chaplin, Chuck Jones, Leni Riefenstahl, Mel Brooks, Joan Collins et al.) to examine the production history of "The Great Dictator", the film's importance as a satir... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

YOUR RATING

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Top cast1

Edit

Jeffrey Vance

Director
- Abbey Lustgarten
Writer
- Jeffrey Vance
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

6.617

Featured reviews

Michael_Elliott

Detailed Look at The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator: The Clown Turns Prophet (2011)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Jeffrey Vance narrates this video documentary that talks about Charles Chaplin's controversial 1940 film THE GREAT DICTATOR.

If you're a fan of the film then there's no question that you're going to enjoy this documentary as Vance does a great job at discussing the film, the various stages of production as well as the controversy that Chaplin found himself in. In fact, many argue that Chaplin's popularity pretty much ended with this picture even though it was a huge hit at the box office.

What I enjoyed most about this were all the behind-the-scenes photos from the production including some bits with Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks right before his death. We get some great clips from newspapers, theatrical promotion ads plus much more, which was great fun to see. Learning wise Vance does a terrific job at giving us non-stop information about the film's production as well as the controversy that struck it.