Director
Charles Chaplin
Leading Actors/Actresses
Charlie Chaplin
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Paulette Goddard, Reginald Gardiner
Genre
Political Movie
Language
English
Awards
The film was nominate for five Academy Awards in 1940. It was selected for preservation in the Natuional Film Registry in 1997.
Date of Release
October 1940
Producer
Charles Chaplin
Setting and Context
The fictional nation of Tomainia, an allegory of Germany, shortly before the invasion of neighboring Osterlich.
Narrator and Point of View
The point of view is that of Chaplin, who also wrote the movie, but it is also written from the point of view of the general public of the Allied nations who were at war with Germany by the time the film was released.
Tone and Mood
The tone is highly satirical. The mood of the film is threatening and murderous.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is the Barber, the antagonist is Dictator Hynkel.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is World War Two which in this film is allegorized as the expansionist invasion of Osterlich by Hynkel.
Climax
Hynkel is arrested and imprisoned in a concentration camp because he is mistaken for the Barber. The Barber then brings peace to the region with an inspired speech about peace and brotherhood given whilst masquerading as Hynkel.
Foreshadowing
The invasion of Osterlich foreshadows the end of Hannah's free and safe existence there.
Understatement
No specific examples.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
No specific examples.
Allusions
The entire movie alludes to the major players of Nazi Germany.
Paradox
The Commander has been promoted because Hynkel believes him to be a like minded subordinate but in fact although a brave and courageous soldier he is not a supporter of the dictator or his murderous policies.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the Commander and the Barber as both men want to bring peace to the region rather than war.
