PB versions of old films are shocking quality on the whole. Its like trying to watch something like Avatar with its CGI costing millions on an old B&W TV. Silent movies were originally presented with coordinated piano or in fancy cinemas full orchestral scores - Chaplin certainly wrote musical scores for his films and he wasn't alone. If you only want to 'check out' a film like this by all means try PB sites but give them the slack of knowing this will probably be heavily cut/ run at the wrong speed and with a yukky organ/piano 1970s sound clanking around in the background. Play your favourite film with an out of tune honky-tonk piano score and see how unwatchable it becomes!!

Old doesn't automatically mean rubbish as the works of Michelangelo (not the Ninja turtle), Van Gogh et al can attest.....

Wish they had Chaplins The Great Dictator for £1.99. Everyone should see that famous speech at the end. YOUTUBE CLIP

Many of his early shorts are in the public domain and can be viewed here from Archive.org

Both the The Kid and The Goldrush are not currently in the public domain. I would suggest buying the HD versions for £2.99 as both these films should be viewed in the best quality possible. Whilst I agree that a film 95 years old should really be in the public domain, factors such as copyrighted music and restorations prevent this.

I myself am a big Buster Keaton fan. His style has aged somewhat better that Chaplins undeniable genius.

You can get many of Buster Keatons best films for free too as they are mostly in the public domain such as 1927's The General Archive.org Link

Up until a few years ago I was of the opinion, "Oh they're ancient, black and white with no sound, how can they be funny?" - then Apple gave away Modern Times for free as part of their 12 days of Xmas promotion, so I watched that out of curiosity - it's superb, as is most of Chaplin's work - highly recommended. There's a reason Chaplin's movies always show up on "best films in history" lists.

Of course humour is 100% subjective, so if you prefer something like Mrs Browns Boys then more power to ya. :stuck_out_tongue:

As a fellow film fanatic I have to agree. Though Chaplin was apparently a huge man slut in real life. A lot of his movies are near masterpieces. A few weeks ago I saw Monsieur Verdoux. It was absolutely amazing. Modern Times is great. And don't even get me started on how much I admire the Great Stone Face!

'In that last film of his, when he kicked that fellow in the backside, I thought I'd die!'

tbh, the only comedy from that era that I find funny is Laurel & Hardy. Harold Lloyd was interesting due to the stunts.

Maybe Chaplin was a pioneer whose work has been copied and done to death...or just not that funny. A subjective opinion either way.

Why the hell should we have to pay for stuff that is this old? If you want some free Charlie Chaplin stuff head off to the pirate bay and search for Charlie Chaplin. "Mabel at the wheel" is quite good.

Stop perpetuating the copyright mafia and take a stand for Christs sake. Mabel at the wheel is 102 years old. If you think people should legally have to pay for that I have a bridge for sale.

Two of the greatest films of the silent era and a great route into Chaplin's work. It gives a huge insight into pre-talkie cinema, though I guess you have to appreciate that they were made almost 100 years ago to fully enjoy them.

Thanks for posting.

Disagree heartily. The post modern hatred of Chaplin's work is understandable I suppose as a reaction to his being so big during 1910's-20s However as a film fan give his work a chance. They pretty much all have brilliant parts and The Kid is awesome. Coogan is amazing. Remember he stuck it to Hitler with 'The Great Dictator' in 1940 when not many in entertainment would touch that nettle.

The pioneers get a kicking because everyone since has flogged their ideas to death since. Vive Charlot and Lloyd and Keaton. Film lives!

anyone know if the HD is worth it on an old film like this.

Heat for the price but never liked his stuff personally nor found him remotely funny (though he did compose 'smile' so credit where credit's due)