The Dictator - Charlie Chaplin's speech [1939]

[misskittydu34]

I'll never get enough of this speech. Simply beautiful. And considering when it was filmed, it also was (unfortunately) visionary. The values highlighted by this speech should never be forgotten.

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"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an Emperor, that's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if

Comments

[red_satin_doll]

Oddly enough I've never seen the film and have read excerpts of the speech but not watched the entire scene.

This is everything we're told art and entertainment shouldn't be - didactic - and it's one of the most riveting and moving things I have ever seen in my life. And still so very true. Thank you for sharing this! I'm in tears now.

[misskittydu34]

Aww, I'm glad that someone took the time to comment, because the thematic of this speech is particularly close to my heart. I'm a little bit an "idealistic" in real life (that shouldn't be an ideal, but whatever...), and this speech contains all what I believe in. It'll never get old.

The movie is great, watch it if you have the opportunity to do it one day, I recommend it :-)

[red_satin_doll]

Can we say "basic human decency", folks?

I checked Netflix and Amazon instant video btw and The Great Dictator is on neither, but it's probably worth checking out on DVD on Criterion. (ANYTHING Criterion touches is worth it. Have you seen their remastered DVD of Cocteau's La Belle et la Bête?)

[misskittydu34]

No :/ I'm not even sure that I know what Criterion is! *hiding*