The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator is a 1940 American satirical film written, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film is a scathing critique of the rise of fascism in Europe and the Nazi seizure of power in Germany under Adolf Hitler. However, Chaplin cleverly disguises his criticisms to avoid offending the censors and instead focuses on the plight of the common man caught in the midst of a rapidly changing world. The film begins by introducing the world of Tomania, a fictional fascist state, and its dictator, Adenoid Hynkel, played by Chaplin. Hynkel is a comical, long-haired, and somewhat rotund portrayal of Adolf Hitler. He is admired by his people, who sing and dance in his praises. Hynkel's charisma and sense of humor make him an entertaining figure, but beneath the surface lies a sinister reality. In contrast to Hynkel's opulence, the film introduces the world of a small Jewish barber named Benjamin, also played by Chaplin. Benjamin is a poor, working-class individual living in the midst of Tomania. He runs a small barbershop where he befriends a pro-Nazi artist named Haviland, who often comes to the shop for a haircut. Benjamin's life is simple and content, revolving around his work, his friends, and his fiancée, Hannah. However, with the rise of Hynkel's regime, Benjamin begins to face increasing persecution. Hynkel orders the harassment and eventual imprisonment of Jewish Tomanians, marking the beginning of a regime of fear and terror. Benjamin, unaware of the true extent of Hynkel's plan, remains optimistic and continues to live his life as he knows it. Meanwhile, the world of Tomania is changing dramatically. Hynkel launches an attack on neighboring Osterlich, declaring, "War is peace." The campaign is brutal, with soldiers committing atrocities against the Osterlich people. Hynkel also takes the opportunity to suppress a potential threat to his power by ordering the execution of the disloyal and progressive Osterlich Minister Minister, Schultz. As tensions rise within the country and abroad, Benjamin becomes increasingly worried about his Jewish heritage. As the war escalates and more Jewish Tomanians are arrested and sent to concentration camps, Benjamin finds himself facing his own woes. He discovers that his own sister, who has been kidnapped, is about to be executed, spurring Benjamin into taking drastic action. He orchestrates a series of daring escapes from the concentration camps, which puts him in direct conflict with Hynkel's regime. Eventually, Benjamin discovers the identity of Hynkel and becomes driven to disrupt his plans. Chaplin expertly interweaves the dual storylines of Hynkel and Benjamin, creating a satirical and powerful commentary on the tragedy of war. In the midst of the complexity, Benjamin's simple decency and Hynkel's manipulative cunning are juxtaposed, driving home the consequence of a regime's corrupt actions. However, Hynkel and Benjamin ultimately overlap as both men become trapped in separate aspects of the emerging international conflict. In a poignant moment, a group of Tomanian soldiers mistake Benjamin for Hynkel and the two men find themselves on a crowded battlefield, highlighting the unpredictable chaos that accompanies war. Chaplin utilizes the dual identities to expose the surreal atmosphere in wartime society and scrutinizes Hynkel's seemingly harmless dictatorship: a manipulative ruse to enthrall and dominate the susceptible populace. During the battle, both men capture the imagination of the opposing side and move and inspire those towards a response against his regime through personal inspiration. When seeing a stark resemblance of himself in Hynkel, the people ultimately choose to reject Hynkel's ideology and identify with the values represented by Benjamin. Ultimately, as the tide of the war shifts, Hynkel's regime begins to collapse, and Benjamin is hailed as a hero by his fellow subjects. With Tomania teetering on the brink of destruction, Benjamin is seen delivering a poignant closing message reminding the rebels to take control and establish their own democratic institutions to ensure that the terror of fascism would never be repeated. While The Great Dictator remains a timeless classic on the outbreak of World War II, much like many earlier treatments of the period, it skillfully blends the grimness of the historical backdrop with a strong, optimistic message calling viewers to rebel against the danger of totalitarian regimes through community, teamwork, and strength.