Modern Times

87 minutes • 1936 • 8.5

The small striker does not fit anywhere in the modern society. Every time he shows signs of humanity, he ends up in prison. He fails to act like a machine in the factory, and when he helpfully picks up a red flag from a truck, he is taken to be communist leader, and again goes straight to prison.

This classic from one of the greatest filmmakers of all time is a kick against the growing industrialization and oppression of the working class.

Modern times is not a silent film, but contains almost no replicas. Chaplin harnessed the potential of sound film in the service of music and sound effects.