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The Great Dictator
The comic element is a dominating element in this film. Chaplin denounces
Nazism with a light touch.
For example, the speech at the beginning of the film, where Hynkel is
the representation of Hitler, profoundly anti-semitic, he delievers
numerous insults to the Jews, which are translated only by: " Our Excellence
has just said some words on the Jews."
Also, Hitler hated children. We see this when Hynkel dries his
hands carefully after having touched one. Charles Chaplin has placed in his
film numerous allusions to the practices of the Nazis. We find concentration
camps, Gestapo, the invasion of Austria or authority aggravated by Hitler.
Indeed this film is a caricature of the reality of the 1940s, during the
Second World War. Tomania is a representation of Germany; Adénoïde
Hynkel is Adolf Hitler's caricature; Benzino Napoloni that of Benito
Mussolini.
The banner of the Nazi party in the film contains two crosses, while in the
reality, this one carries only a swastika. The hynkel's suit looks strongly like
the Hitlerian traditional costume did. The physical appearance also stresses
the resemblance: Hitler's characteristic mustache, hairstyle, brown eyes and
dark eyebrows. The mimes as the imitation of the Hitlerian salute, the way of
expressing himself, violent and jerky and the superior attitude towards all
other men characterized Hitler in his lifetime.
Also, Benzino Napoloni is only Benito's Mussolini imitation. He also possesses
the characteristics of a dictator.
Bactéria represents Italy in this film and Österlich represents Austria.
When Hynkel has fun with a ball in the shape of globe, he makes it burst;
representing a powerful director.
By this image, Charles Chaplin hints at the facts that Hitler "plays" with the
future of the humanity that he eventually destroys.
We can also find another symbol later in the film where Hynkel climbs on
curtains, stressing the side alienated by Hitler.
The final speech lasts 8 minutes. This speaking time is, for the first time
during the film, a message directly sent to the spectator. He evokes his
dreams, a world there where all the beings are equal. This final speech is
considered as being humanist.