Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin - Production & Contact Info

Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)
TV-PG
132 min | Documentary, Biography

Primary photo for Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin

Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)

TV-PG

132 min | Documentary, Biography

Narrated by Sydney Pollack, film critic Richard Schickel's dazzling two-hour plus documentary to one of the towering figures in film: Charles Chaplin. Hardcore Chaplin fans may not find much new material here, but more unfamiliar admirers ...See moreNarrated by Sydney Pollack, film critic Richard Schickel's dazzling two-hour plus documentary to one of the towering figures in film: Charles Chaplin. Hardcore Chaplin fans may not find much new material here, but more unfamiliar admirers will gain some valuable information about one of the most famous personalities of the 20th century. Schickel has constructed the documentary as a chronological survey of Chaplin's work, starting with his most significant shorts and covering all of his features. Schickel supports his narration with testimony from artists familiar with Chaplin's work and family members who offer personal insights into the comedian's life. The documentary plays down but doesn't ignore the controversies that swirled around Chaplin's private life. But the main focus is on the films. They include some of the best-loved movies of all time. Clips from "Kid Auto Races at Venice," the 1914 Keystone short in which Chaplin first used his Tramp costume, reveal a startlingly modern technique and sensibility, as if the filmmakers were predicting and mocking reality TV. Subsequent shorts show Chaplin refining his 'Little Tramp' character while absorbing the essentials of filmmaking. By the time he made "Easy Street," in 1917, Chaplin had perfected a combination of knockabout farce and Victorian sentiment that still proves irresistible. Chaplin's early features, including "The Kid," "The Gold Rush" and "City Lights," were such blockbuster hits that he could essentially ignore the coming of sound for almost a decade. Those making appearances on the program include Woody Allen, Richard Attenborough, Jeanine Basinger, Claire Bloom, Geraldine Chaplin. Sydney Chaplin, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Milos Forman, Bill Irwin, Norman Lloyd, Marcel Marceau, David Raksin, David Robinson, Andrew Sarris, Martin Scorsese and Jeffrey Vance. Written by alfiehitchie See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
27 cast members

Name	Known for
Charles Chaplin Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage) See fewer	The Great Dictator (1940)
Sydney Pollack Narrated By Narrated By See fewer	Tootsie (1982)
Bill Irwin Self Self See fewer	Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Norman Lloyd Self - Chaplin Friend / Actor Self - Chaplin Friend / Actor See fewer	Dead Poets Society (1989)
David Thomson Self - Film Historian Self - Film Historian See fewer	Dream Weaver (1968)
Jeffrey Vance Self - Chaplin Biographer Self - Chaplin Biographer See fewer	Safety Last! (1923)
Andrew Sarris Self - Film Critic and Historian Self - Film Critic and Historian See fewer	Billy Baxter Presents Diary of the Cannes Film Festival with Rex Reed (1980)
Robert Downey Jr. Self - Actor / Star of 'Chaplin Self - Actor / Star of 'Chaplin See fewer	Iron Man (I) (2008)
David Robinson Self - Chaplin Biographer Self - Chaplin Biographer See fewer	Chaplin (1992)
Jeanine Basinger Self - Film Historian Self - Film Historian See fewer	A Better Way to Die (2000)
Woody Allen Self - Director / Writer / Actor Self - Director / Writer / Actor See fewer	Annie Hall (1977)
Johnny Depp Self - Actor Self - Actor See fewer	Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Michael Chaplin Self - Son of Charles Chaplin Self - Son of Charles Chaplin See fewer	A King in New York (1957)
Geraldine Chaplin Self - Daughter of Charles Chaplin Self - Daughter of Charles Chaplin See fewer	Talk to Her (2002)
Richard Attenborough Self - Director of 'Chaplin' Self - Director of 'Chaplin' See fewer	Jurassic Park (1993)
Martin Scorsese Self - Director Self - Director See fewer	Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Milos Forman Self - Director Self - Director See fewer	One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Marcel Marceau Self - Mime Artist Self - Mime Artist See fewer	Barbarella (1968)
Sydney Chaplin Self - Son of Charles Chaplin Self - Son of Charles Chaplin See fewer	Limelight (1952)
David Raksin Self - Music Arranger of 'Modern Times' Self - Music Arranger of 'Modern Times' See fewer	Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Claire Bloom Self - Actress / Star of 'Limelight' Self - Actress / Star of 'Limelight' See fewer	Clash of the Titans (1981)
Eric Campbell Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	Behind the Screen (1916)
Syd Chaplin Self / Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) Self / Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	The Better 'Ole (1926)
Winston Churchill Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Self (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	Matinee Theatre (1955)
Charles Inslee Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	Adventures of Tarzan (1921)
Edna Purviance Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923)
Mack Swain Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited) See fewer	The Gold Rush (1925)