Chaplin 15th Anniversary Edition

Most young people don't know anything Robert Downey Jr. did before Iron Man. This movie was brilliantly done and a joy to watch. Its not necessarily a feel good happy tale or slap stick comedy, but its one of those movies that you realize was a tremendous performance and very well done. Could not have picked a better choice than Downey Jr. to portray Chaplin. I feel that Chaplin is one of those icon's that most of today's generations don't know hardly a thing about. This movie provided great and informative insight into Chaplin as a man and entertainer. I feel a much deeper respect for Chaplin as well as Downey Jr. for having watched it. I can't say for sure if Downey Jr was more deserving of the Oscar for this role rather than Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman, but its a very close second. Read more

The film goes beyond the peek and tell.....it is still amazing that RD,Jr. didn't receive an Oscar for this performance. He has proven, up to the present, that he is one of America's foremost actors, regardless of the off the screen craziness that dragged him down for so long. The film is very interesting to watch, but it's Downey with his seemingly bottomless bag of talent that lulls the viewer into the false sense of watching a film WITH Chaplin, rather than about him. The gods of comedy and tragedy have given Mr. Downey a plethora of gifts and it feels good to sit and watch him use these gifts so brilliantly. I would say this anniversary edition has information and insights that only add to the value of the purchase. Read more

So far, this is not an nz region bluray. However later I can source a multizone bluray machine, so it still has value in my collection. The movie it'self I have had on dvd. And it's a brilliant look into the life of a genius film maker. The ending has such pathos that I am always in tears. A beloved film about a much loved man. Read more

Because Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin had such a varied and eventful 88 years, short of being four hours in length, director Richard Attenborough's biopic of CHAPLIN (1992) is necessarily episodic. In fact, the original cut, taken from over 200 hours of material, was indeed an unwieldy double-feature long monster. Despite severe truncation, there are many high and lowlights in the finished product that illumine the world's most famous silent screen clown, a brilliantly conceived and realized work thanks to an all-star cast topped by Robert Downey Jr.'s amazing Oscar-nominated performance in the role of his lifetime. (John Barry also received statue consideration for his ideal score.) The story doesn't gloss over Chaplin's penchant for underage lovers, his clashes with Moral Majority types like J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), or his complicated relationship with a mother, as portrayed by Geraldine Chaplin, who was more often in than out of madness. In retrospect, Chaplin's immovable stance against "talkies" seems ill-considered, yet two of his greatest silent works, CITY LIGHTS (1931) and MODERN TIMES (1936) were made well into the sound era, and he returned to filmed pantomime on more than one occasion well after these. No matter its percentage of accuracy, for this film is based on the man's own selective autobiography, fans of silent era cinema should see CHAPLIN. Also those who enjoy star-heavy casts will not be disappointed with this modern classic. Consider this list of familiar (and for those depicted, legendary) names: Dan Akyroyd as Mack Sennett, Marisa Tomei as Mabel Normand, Penelope Ann Miller as Edna Purviance, Kevin Kline as Douglas Fairbanks and Diane Lane as Paulette Goddard. Also here are Anthony Hopkins, Milla Jovovich, Moira Kelly, James Woods, Nancy Travis and David Duchovny. Archive clips include Sir Charles himself and many of his contemporaries, plus political figures like Joseph McCarthy. SUGGESTION: Watch "Chaplin" in a two-fer with any of the director/comedian's many great films. Read more

A must watch movie. It showd glimpses of a comedy genius including previously unknown (to me) trials and tribulations, mainly from his own poor choices. Not a boring documentary. Read more

I once found a video on youtube that had the Great Dictator speech. I had heard of Chaplin prior to seeing the video, but never went beyond that much. After that video, I got curious. I saw a few of the films and thought,"Neat." Then, I came across this film. Not only does it hold the life story (mostly) of Mr. Chaplin, he's played by one of my favorite actors (Robert Downey Jr.). The film goes over the life of Charlie Chaplin. From the humble beginnings as a child performer to the move to America to the Red Scare and ultimately his return to the US after the US kicked him out for suspicion of communism. Now, to warn parents who happen to be scrolling down, this does contain some nudity, which I would normally not approve of, but in this case, historical accuracy wins over family friendliness. Another note on accuracy, they get alot of it right, but they cut alot of it out as well. It came to the Great Dictator speech in the film and they cut half of it out, which dissappointed me. Overall, I love this film. It's an incredible story of an incredible man who ate, slept, and breathed his art. Chaplin's a big inspiration to me seeing as I want to pursue an acting career myself... acting in cartoons, but acting nonetheless. But overall, it's just me. Want a clear verdict on the film? Check it out for yourself. Read more