Charlie Chaplin: His Life & Work

Starring:Charles Chaplin
Studio: Delta
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
This program will transport you back to Chaplin's London at the turn of the 20th century and you can see for yourself the influences that were to shape his later work on the silver screen.

Description

This program will transport you back to Chaplin's London at the turn of the 20th century and you can see for yourself the influences that were to shape his later work on the silver screen.

B&W/Color
Running Time: 90 min.

Customer Reviews:

Quite a good introduction to the life of Charlie Chaplin.......2007-05-18

This 90-minute documentary is a reasonably good attempt at a fair and honest presentation of the life of the man known the world over as `the tramp' and one of the world's greatest clowns, Charles Chaplin. Instantly recognizable in his baggy pants, over-sized clown-like shoes and too small hat and jacket, this pitiful screen character drew huge crowds way back in 1914, throughout the silent era and beyond, and still wins audiences even today. It's fitting therefore, that this documentary begins with scenes of Chaplin's statue in a London park next to Shakespeare and near other famed Englishmen, and begins the `rags to riches' story from his birthplace nearby. Although working within a small budget, the Delta label strives to reach a good standard, and this is perhaps most evident in the well-prepared script and research. The narration by an Englishman might take a little getting used to at first, but I soon got used to the deliberate, slow but genuinely enthusiastic pace of speech. There are not as many old photographs or old film footage as I personally would like to have seen, but at times this may not be possible or practical. Instead, there are many scenes of the areas of London where Chaplin grew up, and of course a number of scenes and excerpts from his films. The first half of the documentary carefully examines Chaplin's childhood in London slums, abandoned by his alcoholic father and sent back and forth to schools and workhouses as his mother went in and out of mental asylums. It is worth taking in this sad story of Charlie's youth because he himself had said that his work in films reflects his origins, not only in the sad and poor character of the tramp, but in the plots and scenes depicted in many of his films as well. There is only brief reference to some of his most important films, but his phenomenal rise to instant, enormous success is explained, as well as the general course of his career. His personal life, namely several unsuccessful marriages, is treated factually without sidetracking into gossip or speculation. As an introduction to the life of the man, this documentary serves nicely, but anyone wanting more in-depth information, especially about his work and films, might be disappointed. In any case, after watching this, I'm sure I will watch Chaplin's films with more appreciation and insight than before.

Charlie Chaplin, His Life And Work - a documentary.

Average customer rating:

trash, trash, trash
Whoops - the trash got into the dvd player again.
Documentary & 4 shorts

Charlie Chaplin, His Life And Work - a documentary.
Starring: Charlie Chaplin
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AA4GK0
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Description

SIDE A: DOCUMENTARY SIDE A: DOCUMENTARY Charlie Chapin: His Life & Work 90 Min. When Charlie Chaplin was born in London on the 16th of April 1889, no one could have predicted what his future would be. Charlie's meteoric rise to fame in the pioneering days of the film industry is truly one of the most dramatic rags to riches stories ever told, and the enduring charm of his instantly recognizable "Little Tramp," continues to thrill film enthusiasts the whole world over. This program will trace Charlie's footsteps so you can see for yourself the influences that were to shape his later work on the silver screen. Every aspect of Chaplin's life and work are all explored in order to bring you the real man behind the "Little Tramp's" mask. EXCLUSIVE DELTA OWNED PRODUCTION SIDE B: FILMS The Rink 1916 / B&W / 20 Min. Chaplin stars in this hilarious comedy short as a waiter who spends his time at the skating rink where his skill and grace lead to possible romance and unfortunate mishaps. The Immigrant 1917 / B&W / 20 Min. Charlie is an immigrant on a ship headed for America. His affectionate nature and downright kindness steer him towards love and madcap mishaps. Tillie's Punctured Romance 1914 / B&W / 73 Min. This first feature length comedy ever made stars Chaplin as a con artist who talks Marie Dressler, an innocent girl, into taking her father's savings and running off to the city with him. The Vagabond 1916 / B&W / 20 Min. This film is the story of The Little Tramp, a pathetic fiddler who makes a scanty living and rescues damsels in distress.

Customer Reviews:

trash, trash, trash.......2007-01-25

If it's Delta it's dreadfull, if it's Alpha it's awfull and if it's Laserlight it's loadsome.....you may consider flushing your money down the toilet rather than buying any of these companies releases..they specialise in the WORST possible public domain copies around..in fact they have made it their mission never to go above the sub-standard...if you truly like silent or early talking movies like I do then avoid these companies like the black plague!

Whoops - the trash got into the dvd player again........2005-12-10

The previous reviwer was incredibly generous, because this is a big steaming heap of misconstrued random thoughts and innuendos edited together randomly to create a truly boring documentary that commits the most serious crime any documentary may commit - apathy.

The absolute most insulting bit is the notion that Chaplin may have met one of the people reputed to be Jack the Ripper. They spend about 5 minutes on this completely unimportant flight of fancy, 5 minutes of my life that I won't get back anytime soon.

Ignore this disc.

Documentary & 4 shorts.......2005-10-11

This so-so documentary using public damain stills & footage also includes 4 un-restored short films:

The Rink
The Immigrant
Tillie's Punctured Romance
The Vagabond.

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