Chaplin in Bali

Footage of Charlie Chaplin visiting Bali in 1932 was a fascinating idea - as someone who loves Bali I was keen to see the country as it was in the 30's before mass tourism. Sadly, there is very little actual footage of Chaplin in Bali shown - the filmmakers are happy to show clips from his films, or photos and film of Chaplin travelling by steamship or arriving in Java, but there is very little that shows Bali - quite absurd. What there is provides a lovely insight into the unspoiled life of the Balinese, but it is frustratingly spare. The narration is appalling - it sounds like a first year dissertation being read out word-for-word-with-no-intonation-or-emotion - awful. The two voice actors for Chaplin and his brother are also terrible - they make the Chaplin brothers into one-dimensional pompous asses. A missed opportunity.

Expect nothing but a chance to see some home movies by Charley Chaplin and you will not be disappointed. I thought this was fascinating footage of a time lost to the present. Scenes where the adulation of people throughout the world for Chaplin made him one of the most popular persons in the world. Silent movies were not restricted by language differences so where ever he traveled he was revered. This is a chance to see the pressures and personal escape Chaplin sought trying to recharge his inventive humor in a now talkie film world.

Expect nothing but a chance to see some home movies by Charley Chaplin and you will not be disappointed. I thought this was fascinating footage of a time lost to the present. Scenes where the adulation of people throughout the world for Chaplin made him one of the most popular persons in the world. Silent movies were not restricted by language differences so where ever he traveled he was revered. This is a chance to see the pressures and personal escape Chaplin sought trying to recharge his inventive humor in a now talkie film world.

Footage of Charlie Chaplin visiting Bali in 1932 was a fascinating idea - as someone who loves Bali I was keen to see the country as it was in the 30's before mass tourism. Sadly, there is very little actual footage of Chaplin in Bali shown - the filmmakers are happy to show clips from his films, or photos and film of Chaplin travelling by steamship or arriving in Java, but there is very little that shows Bali - quite absurd. What there is provides a lovely insight into the unspoiled life of the Balinese, but it is frustratingly spare. The narration is appalling - it sounds like a first year dissertation being read out word-for-word-with-no-intonation-or-emotion - awful. The two voice actors for Chaplin and his brother are also terrible - they make the Chaplin brothers into one-dimensional pompous asses. A missed opportunity.