The Great Dictator
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
Critics Sentiment
Barber delivers passionate speech for democracy and brotherhood
Amnesiac barber returns to ghetto after twenty years
The film jumps from early dialogue awkwardness to the transcendent globe dance sequence, showcasing Chaplin's mastery of visual comedy.
The Great Dictator builds from uneven early sound filmmaking to sustained comedic brilliance, peaking with iconic sequences like the globe dance and Hynkel's speeches. The film maintains high audience appreciation throughout its middle sections before reaching its emotional and artistic zenith with the democracy speech finale.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 64
Charlie Chaplin
Adenoid Hynkel, Dictator of Tomania / A Jewish Barber
Paulette Goddard
Hannah
Jack Oakie
Benzino Napaloni, Dictator of Bacteria
Reginald Gardiner
Commander Schultz
Henry Daniell
Garbitsch
Billy Gilbert
Field Marshal Herring
Grace Hayle
Madame Napaloni
Carter DeHaven
Spook
Maurice Moscovitch
Mr. Jaeckel
Emma Dunn
Mrs. Jaeckel
Bernard Gorcey
Mr. Mann
Paul Weigel
Mr. Agar
Chester Conklin
Barber's Customer
Esther Michelson
Jewish Woman
Hank Mann
Storm Trooper Stealing Fruit
Florence Wright
Blonde Secretary
Eddie Gribbon
Tomanian Storm Trooper
Rudolph Anders
Tomanian Commandant at Osterlich / Robert O. Davis
Eddie Dunn
Whitewashed Storm Trooper
Nita Pike
Secretary
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
