When Chaplin Spoke

Here is the iconic speech from Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece, The Great Dictator. The film was made in 1940, so the historical context (as well as the mustache) is obvious.  (For those of you who may not have seen it, the speaker, Omler -- a lowly barber --  is a look-alike of the Hitler-like dictator, Adenoid Hynkel. Omler has decided to step out of the dictatorial role into which he has been forced by odd and comic circumstances.)  A friend of mine posted a similar video on Facebook the other day, reminding me of the greatness of the film. I'm not saying it brought tears to my eyes or anything...



I'm not sure if this makes me emotional because I believe in its hope or because I have no hope left. But I am sure it makes me emotional because it is pure, honest and powerful art.