The 2002 documentary history film The Tramp and the Dictator looks at the lives of Charles Chaplin and Adolf Hitler. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, it points out similarities such as that these two men were born only four days apart. Both were immensely popular during a certain time and then fell from favor, although Chaplin enjoyed a restoration to public favor. Hitler was an evil dictator and Chaplin played a dictator based on Hitler in the movie The Great Dictator in 1940.

Many knowledgeable people give insight on both Chaplin and Hitler, including a member of Hitler’s own inner circle. Author Ray Bradbury points out an important fact which modern people often fail to grasp. Hitler fooled many people at first. He did enough good things to pull Germany out of the aftermath of what was then called the Great War and the worldwide Depression that he was popular in many quarters. Even when he took over Austria people didn’t like to be too critical. It wasn’t until Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939, that World War II started and the Great War became known as World War I.

Even after the start of the war, people were wary about speaking out against Hitler and for Chaplin to mock him in a major film was extremely daring. Chaplin put up his own money and had complete creative control over the project. The documentary employs color footage which was shot at the same time as Chaplin’s black-and-white movie. This movie marked the first time that silent star Chaplin spoke onscreen.

Another thing modern viewers may not realize is that the full extent of Hitler’s atrocities were not known until after the Nuremberg Trials in 1946. Many Germans were clueless (or claimed to be). Chaplin later said had he known the full extent of Hitler’s crimes he would never have made that film. Ray Bradbury points out that humor can be a wonderful weapon, and praises Jack Oakie’s performance as the Mussolini character in The Great Dictator.

Remarkably, someone with access to a list of films Hitler ordered noted that there is evidence that Hitler watched The Great Dictator a couple of times. Charlie Chaplin was definitely on the Nazis’ radar and they released terrible propaganda about him.

The Tramp and the Dictator is a fascinating look at the lives of two prominent men with divergent paths. One slaughtered millions while the other brought laughter and joy to millions. I recommend this highly.