Chaplin (Classics Box Set)

Advantages: Great special effects, hilarious
Disadvantages: Nothing that comes to mind.

...Director: Charles Chaplin Cast: Charles Chaplin, Mack Swain, Georgina Hale, Henry Bergman, Tom Murrary The Tramp goes of in search of gold and fortune and finds it and a lot of mishaps along the way. This great value dvd features, the original 1925 classic, and a 1942 remake with spoken dialogue and a new score. The story starts with the Lone Prospector (Chaplin), Who is travelling to Alaska, a snow storm eventually drives him in to the cabin of Black Lawson (Murray), a fellow prospector " Big Jim Mackay" is also forced into the cabin, after momentary scuffles, Black Lawson eventually has to accept that the two men are going nowhere, Black Lawson goes of in search of food, and has a run in with cops on the way, This sets in motion one of the films famous scenes where Jim Mackay, delerious from starvation imagines Charlie is a large... Read review

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...I like films. I always have done and I always will do, I guess. I will happily watch films from any genre and any era, and I very often find myself doing a sort of analysis thing as I watch, which can be extremely annoying for anybody I am sitting with me at the time, especially in the cinema! That said, I love comedies. And I absolutely love the really old classic comedies. Over the years I have grown to love the films of one man, a man who made 81 films, of which 67 were complete before his 30th birthday. He lived in America, but was an Englishman. His vaguely anti-authoritarian stance served only to make him some enemies in very high places. But who was he, you may ask. His name was Charles Spencer Chaplin. In 1992 Sir Richard Attenborough set about the unenviable task of making what is now termed a 'biopic' about the great man. He... Read review

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Advantages: Well made
Disadvantages: Little long. Skimps on details at times

...Chaplin started me off on a journey through the film vaults looking for the original Chaplin silent movies. But why would a such a dashing, witty bloke do such a thing? The answer lies (obviously) in this account of Chaplin's life. The film covers familiar ground and doesn't do anything 'risky' or controversial, which is a shame but does make easy going entertainment. The production is first rate, looking grand and elegant when needed, rough and grimy when need be. The cast however slot seemlessly into this world and do a very good job. Robert Downey Jr (he of drug troubles) is central to the film and his casting is excellent, managing to portray Chaplin perfectly. The supporting cast do a good job and none of them eclipse the 'star' of the picture. Full marks go to John Barry's emotional score which enhances Attenbrough's on screen... Read review

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