Chaplin [15th Anniversary Edition]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Partly based on Charlie Chaplin's My Autobiography, this humorous and dramatic biopic features an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Kline, Diane Lane, and Chaplin's real-life daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, who portrays his mentally ill mother. With the use of flashback, an elderly Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor (Hopkins), who urges him to be more vulnerable and emotionally honest with his memoirs while journeying through his poverty-stricken childhood, closest friendships, many marriages, merciless pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), and ingenious invention of "The Little Tramp." Highlighted works such as The Gold Rush (1925) and The Great Dictator (1940) illustrate significant turning points in Chaplin's prolific filmography. Director Richard Attenborough's film also explores the circumstances surrounding Chaplin's exile from America and his eventual return to receive an honorary Academy Award. ~ Lisa Kropiewnicki, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (Alternate Wide Screen)
• Features:
  • "All At Sea" Chaplin Home Movie
  • "Strolling into the Sunset" Featurette
  • "Chaplin the Hero" Featurette
  • "The Most Famous Man in the World!" Featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 16X9 Widescreen
  • English 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio
  • English and Spanish Subtitles

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Actor - 1992 (Robert Downey, Jr.)
•     Nominated Best Art Direction - 1992 (Stuart Craig, Chris A. Butler)
•     Nominated Best Score - 1992 (John Barry)

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Nominated Best Costume Design - 1993 (Ellen Mirojnick)
•     Nominated Best Actor - 1992 (Robert Downey, Jr.)
•     Nominated Best Production Design - 1992 (Stuart Craig)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Nominated Best Original Score - 1992 (John Barry)
•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comed - 1992 (Robert Downey, Jr.)
•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic - 1992 (Geraldine Chaplin)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Robert Downey, Jr. - Charlie Chaplin
       Dan Aykroyd - Mack Sennett
       Geraldine Chaplin - Hannah Chaplin
       Kevin Dunn - J. Edgar Hoover
       Anthony Hopkins - George Hayden
       Milla Jovovich - Mildred Harris
       Kevin Kline - Douglas Fairbanks
       Diane Lane - Paulette Goddard
       Penelope Ann Miller - Edna Purviance
       Paul Rhys - Sydney Chaplin
       John Thaw - Fred Karno
       Marisa Tomei - Mabel Normand
       Nancy Travis - Joan Barry
       James Woods - Lawyer Scott
       Michael Blevins - David Raskin
       Francesca Buller - Minnie Chaplin
       Peter Crook - Frank Hooper
       David Duchovny - Rollie Totheroh
       Donnie Kehr - Sound Engineer
       Karen Lewis - Yankee Doodle Dancer
       Deborah Moore - Lita Grey
       Sean O'Bryan - Lewis Seeley
       Bill Paterson - Stage Manager
       Maria Pitillo - Mary Pickford
       Gerald Sim - Doctor
       John Standing - Chaplin Butler
       Robert Stephens - Ted the Drunk
       Norbert Weisser - German Diplomat
       Alan Charof - Federal Marshall

• Director:

  Richard Attenborough

• Producer:

  Richard Attenborough, Mario Kassar

• Book Author:

  Charles Chaplin

• Screenwriter:

  Bryan Forbes, William Goldman

• Screen Story:

  Diana Hawkins

• Screenwriter:

  William Boyd

• Book Author:

  David Robinson

• Cinematographer:

  Sven Nykvist

• Composer (Music Score):

  John Barry

• Editor:

  Anne V. Coates

• Production Designer:

  Stuart Craig

• Art Director:

  Norman Dorme, John King, Mark Mansbridge

• Co-producer:

  Terence A. Clegg

• Associate Producer:

  Diana Hawkins

• Set Designer:

  Chris A. Butler, Stephenie McMillan

• Costume Designer:

  Ellen Mirojnick, John Mollo

• Makeup:

  Wally Schneiderman

• Camera Operator:

  Kevin Jewison

• Stunts:

  Keith Campbell, George Marshall Ruge, Neil Summers, Jim Wilkey, Brian Williams

• Conductor:

  John Barry

• Sound Editor:

  Jonathan Bates

REVIEW:

• The Academy Award-winning director of another biopic, Gandhi (1982), Richard Attenborough reveals his obvious reverence for the iconoclastic Charlie Chaplin in this critically if not commercially successful film. Robert Downey Jr., who trained for over a year to replicate Chaplin's English cockney accent, tics, and rhythm as well as his graceful balletic and athletic movements, physical humor, and posture, gives the star-making performance of his career and is riveting to watch as he brings to life one of the most influential people in the history of cinema. The film is a thoughtful mixture of melancholy and humor, juxtaposing Chaplin's private loneliness and loss with his professional comedic talents and fortitude. Spanning a period of nearly 80 years in the actor's life, the film has been criticized for trying to cover too much narrative ground, but given the enormity of Chaplin's contribution to his art and the personal obstacles he overcame, this is an enjoyable, emotional, and authentic film. From its rural Hollywood locations in the early 1900s and demonstration of early moviemaking techniques to its superb cast, Chaplin is a potent tribute to a gifted cinematic artist. ~ Lisa Kropiewnicki, Rovi