Even in our multi-channel age there's no home for regular viewings of Charlie Chaplin movies. They used to be a regular feature on terrestrial television until the late 80s - alas there's no longer any room in the TV schedule between endless makeover/reality programmes. That just shows how little schedulers know. DVD labels like Eureka will surely tap into a large audience keen to add this essential package to their classic movie collections.
The revival of the likes of Chaplin, Lloyd, Keaton and Laurel and Hardy is a purely digital affair - with the Warner Bros/Mk2 releases of Charlie Chaplin's feature films, the future looks bright. Indeed what is so extraordinary about this set of discs is that these movies have never looked or sounded as good, thanks to comprehensive restoration and remastering.
Eight of the films are available to buy on an individual basis and come as double disc sets. You can also choose between two box sets, or buy the "Complete Chaplin Boxset", every disc of which is covered in this review (including the bonus ones). You'll find links in the article to each title, reviewed in full, as each comes with a comprehensive selection of extra features (including new documentaries, outtakes, newsreel footage and much more).
Classic Chaplin Boxset: Volume One
In boxset one you get:
"The Great Dictator"
"Modern Times"
"Gold Rush"
"Limelight"
The bonus disc is "Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin", an all-new documentary by film historian Richard Schickel. It covers Chaplin's entire career in depth and features new interviews with people such as Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Milos Forman, Johnny Depp, Marcel Marceau and Chaplin's children: Sydney, Geraldine and Michael.
Classic Chaplin Boxset: Volume Two
In boxset two you get:
"The Kid"
"Monsieur Verdoux"
"The Circus"
"City Limits"
The bonus discs are "A Woman of Paris" and "A King in New York". Both these movies come with the same standard of presentation and extra features as the other discs.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Chapters: Check each review for details
Ratio: 1.33:1 (original fullscreen ratios)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 1.0
Audio Tracks: English, French, Italian
Subtitles: English and multiple languages
Captions: English, French, Italian
Menus: Static, with music
Special Features Subtitles: Check each review for details.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-N5 DVD player.
The Chaplin Collection DVD (2003)