That's an awesome speech, but I'm disturbed by the fact that the man delivering it has a mustache reminiscent of Hitler's and is wearing an outfit that is not quite an SS uniform. What is the original from, do you know?
It's from the Chaplin The Great Dictator; the character who is speaking is a Jewish barber who happens to be the double of a Hitleresque dictator (called Hynkel). After many vicissitudes, the barber manages to assume Hynkel's identity, and makes a speech reversing Hynkel's anti-Semitic and anti-democratic policies, and calling for a new era of peace and freedom.
Chaplin, of course, was physically similar to Hitler,and very close to him in age; he was bothered by this, as he loathed Hitler's racist and aggressive policies. After the war, he said he'd never have made the film if he'd known the true extent of the Nazis' crimes - but it's a good film.
I recognised it, because Henry, (my youngest, now 24...) is a big Chaplin fan. He's shown me several clips from the Great Dictator, and this speech was one of them.
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kerravonsen) wrote2011-10-06 08:42 am
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OK, in that case, I totally believe it's meant to be a parody. (I know, paranoia. Blame Torchwood and X-Men First Class?)
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Chaplin, of course, was physically similar to Hitler,and very close to him in age; he was bothered by this, as he loathed Hitler's racist and aggressive policies. After the war, he said he'd never have made the film if he'd known the true extent of the Nazis' crimes - but it's a good film.
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Definitely liking it better with a certain degree of context.
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Chaplin spoke every word of it from the heart.
Charlie Chaplin
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