Chaplin (1992)

A movie about the troubled and controversial life of the master comedy filmmaker Charlie Chaplin.

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

David Robinson (book), Charles Chaplin (book)

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, Paul Rhys

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Charles Spencer Chaplin
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Hannah Chaplin
Paul Rhys	...	Sydney Chaplin
John Thaw	...	Fred Karno
Moira Kelly	...	Hetty Kelly / Oona O'Neill Chaplin
Anthony Hopkins	...	George Hayden
Dan Aykroyd	...	Mack Sennett
Marisa Tomei	...	Mabel Normand
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Edna Purviance
Kevin Kline	...	Douglas Fairbanks
Maria Pitillo	...	Mary Pickford
Milla Jovovich	...	Mildred Harris
Kevin Dunn	...	J. Edgar Hoover
Deborah Moore	...	Lita Grey (as Deborah Maria Moore)
Diane Lane	...	Paulette Goddard

Storyline

The biography of Charlie Chaplin, filmmaker extraordinaire. From his formative years in England to his highest successes in America, Chaplin's life, work, and loves are followed. While his screen characters were extremely hilarious, the man behind "The Little Tramp" was constantly haunted by a sense of loss.

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Plot Keywords:

filmmaker | ends with biographical notes | sex with an older man | female rear nudity | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

He made the whole world laugh and cry. He will again.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity and language

Details

Country:

UK France Italy Japan USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Чaплин

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Theatre - 615 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$31,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$84,669, 27 December 1992, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$9,493,259, 31 December 1993

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, Japan Satellite Broadcasting (JBS), Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie received its limited release in the United States on December 25, 1992, the fifteenth anniversary of Charlie Chaplin's death.

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Goofs

During the scene after the paddle boat is tied to the dock, Sidney and the boat operator open bottles of beer with screw off caps, something not made until the late 1970s.

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Quotes

[first lines]
George Hayden: Ha ha ha ha ha. Come on Charlie stop messing about, we really have to get down to it now. I just hope our friendship survives the day, that's all.
Charlie Chaplin: Ha George, don't be so melodramatic.
George Hayden: Well, it's your autobiography Charlie. And as your editor I have to tell you that parts of the manuscript are pretty vague, to say the least. I mean for instance, your mother. Now when did she first lose control? We need to know those facts.
Charlie Chaplin: It's hard to say. She could be so wonderful, on good days...

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Alternate Versions

To receive a 12 certificate the original UK cinema version was cut to remove one use of 'fucking' (during Charlie's homecoming visit to a pub). Later releases were uncut and upgraded to a 15 rating.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Hoffa/Trespass/Chaplin/Lorenzo's Oil/Peter's Friends (1992)

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Soundtracks

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Katharine Lee Bates (as K. L. Bates) and Samuel A. Ward (as Samuel Ward)

User Reviews

It's no Modern Times, but...

Robert Downey, Jr. gives another one of his splendid performances, Kevin Kline is perfectly cast as Fairbanks, and most of the direction is superb. However, the story hops around a few too many times, and the scenes with Anthony Hopkins are weak and obviously placed in order to clarify things to non- Chaplin fans who watch the film. Overall it is enjoyable, especially the parts when we see him creating his well- known masterpieces. Recommended especially for movie fans, and most especially for Chaplin fans.