People misunderstand silent cinema. Silent films are not talking pictures with the sound missing; they are a whole different art form, with a language based on gesture, more akin to dance than to sound movies. No one demonstrates that more clearly than Charlie Chaplin. In Charlie Chaplin’s Footsteps (10 May) was a film in ITV’s “Perspectives” series of arts documentaries. In it, Terry Jones explored a little of Chaplin’s art, both the classic silents and some later sound films, and a lot of his life. He was helped by material from Chaplin’s archive, some home-movie footage, an interview with Chaplin’s son, Michael, and lots of readings from the comedian’s autobiography.The best moments came when Jones sat in front of a screen and commented o
14 May 2015, The Tablet
The way he walked
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