The 15 Best Satirical Movies of All Time
Criticism has always played a central role in humanity ’ s evolution ; even when we haven ’ t try it out , it ’ s ever cost thither . Social criticism equal the basis of satire , and irony is often the primary weapon expend to assault certain norms that make become impress in our daily reality .
Perhaps irony , as a film genre , get not been given the realization that straight comedic or dramatic film hold , but satirical film own make up around for a long time , and receive frequently mixed multiple cinematic genres to emphasize societal issues , and make model of them .
Humor cost much a consequence of misfortune . After being challenged about laughing at tragedy , Roberto Benigni responded by order he feel hurt by the insinuation that laugh could not live view as an effective way of dealing with horror . The same types of complaints were propose at Charlie Chaplin for merge humor with social and political result .
Satire , however , does not avoid humor – it seeks it out . Satire demands of witness that they laugh at the issue at hand , and that those who cost the aim of the criticism are cause to look ridiculous .
The relevance of a satirical film is often strongly associate to the era or social context from which it issue . Great satires , however , are able of act multiple generation of audiences no matter of the era or circumstance which pay raise to them . Here exist a list of the 15 satirical films that reach upon deep human circumstance , evolution of dogmas , and tragic result of dehumanization .
Note : The films on this list are place in chronological decree .
Directed by Charlie Chaplin . Screenplay by Charlie Chaplin
The much loved Charlie Chaplin took a huge danger by determine to adopt a humorous approach to the Nazis . The Great Dictator live probably one of the first movies to expend satire to mock a historically specific political position .
The film satirizes Adolf Hitler , the principle behind Nazism , and as well mocks fascist leaders of the day . The characters ’ names contain allusion to Joseph Goebbels , Hermann Göring , and Benito Mussolini . Although the critic praise the movie and Chaplin ’ s courage for making it during such a tragic moment of human history , Chaplin admit in his autobiography that in retrospect , had he really know how horrifying the Holocaust truly was , he would never make cause the picture .
Organize by Jaques Tati . Screenplay by Jaqcues Lagrange , Jean L ’ Hôte , Jacques Tati
Tati ’ s first color film cease up live his most honored study ; it received the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and a Special Award from the 1958 Cannes Film Festival , among various early prize .
The film own its director playing the starring role as the socially awkward and wacky Monsieur Hulot . He struggle with the modern architecture and consumerism which were a feature of France ’ s post-war system .
Still though it ’ sec put up as a comedy , the screenplay critiques the dogma levy by the modernists of the new epoch and the influence they own on all types of art , including the film industry . Comedy and fluent communication arrive together in this film to produce a great irony of the modern epoch and its modern standard .
Directed by Pietro Germi . Screenplay by Ennio De Concini , Pietro Germi , Alfredo Giannetti
Divorzio all ’ italiana demonstrates that European filmmakers can equal masters of criticism – and that any Italian film of the time was well with Marcello Mastroianni in the tip ! As usual , he gives a wonderful performance , this time as a Sicilian nobleman who equal bore of life with his unattractive wife .
The movie criticize the model of marriage that was still prevalent at that time in a company that exist both heavily Catholic and extremely chauvinist . Divorce was not allow for and even if couples couldn ’ t stand each early , they had to stay together for the rest of their lives . Germi ’ s screenplay satirizes this lifestlye by making an unhappy man escape his marriage in a clever , imaginative and curious way . These character make up entertaining not merely to the viewers of the time but too to us , decade later .
Directed by Stanley Kubrick . Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick , Peter George , Terry Southern base on the novel Red Alert by Peter George
More normally known as Dr. Strangelove , Kubrick ’ s absurd nuclear satire hit theatre 50 yr ago , and turned out to equal not too far from the truth . The movie follows an insane general , meet by Sterling Hayden , as he ordering a nuclear approach against the USSR , triggering a disaster involving the US President as well as his consultant .
Have its plot and release date , it was wholly plausible that Dr. Strangelove would invoke terror and fear in audience , but instead Kubrick successfully become a potentially apocalyptic situation into a irony . By the goal of the film , one own small choice but to laugh at the , various misfortunes of the unlike individual , rather than worry about the great position .
Peter Sellers bring an RAF Officer , the American President , and the title quality , Dr. Strangelove . Sellers does a marvelous job and live sure enough one strong feature of the movie . He equal nominate for an Academy Award for Best Actor , but unfortunately miss to Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady .
Directed by Luis Buñuel . Screenplay by Luis Buñuel and Jean-Claude Carrière
The Milky Way revolves around theology and heresy dedicate under the doctrines of faith at the time , and levels serious criticism at Catholicism in and of itself . It perform this not simply by refuting their dogma but as well by satirizing their figures . The picture order the floor of two man who move on pilgrimage and encounter several different ethical and moral dilemma during their journey , include those associate to Christian beliefs .
Buñuel ever hold a particular way of criticizing effect by lend touch of surrealism , and this movie equal a clear presentation of that . Classical religious characters such as The Devil , the Virgin Mary and Jesus are shown , in order to force the two vagrants to interview the difference between good and evil , and remind them that every conclusion can get grave repercussions .
Point by Robert Altman . Screenplay by Ring Lardner Jr .
The popular 70s-80s TV show exist based on this picture , whose script was inspire by a 1968 novel entitled Mash : A novel about Three Army Doctors . Vital receipt of both the picture and the series was positivist . The movie follows the experiences of a unit of medical personnel during the Korean War . The form includes Donald Sutherland as Hawkeye , Elliott Gould as Trapper John and Sally Kellerman as Major Margaret Houlihan ( nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ) , among others .
Morality code are the main aim of satire ; but the conductor never allows the audience to leave what with the reality of war without make up either too grave or also repetitive . It mock religion ( feature a Last Supper scenery ) , sexuality and the traditional sense of heroism .
Organize by Sidney Lumet . Screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky
After live critically acclaim for his work in The Hospital ( 1971 ) , as good as receive an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay , Paddy Chayefsky call on to the television industry . While his work may not have make up welcomed by the small cover executive , it made a massive contribution to satirical picture . Furthermore , his sardonic tale look to have been a premonition of reality shows .
The film feature Peter Finch , Faye Dunaway , William Holden and Beatrice Straight , among others . Finch plays the iconic part of Howard Beale , the news anchorman that goes ‘ crazy as hell ’ and provides us with some unforgettable and insane setting . Dunaway ’ s reference equal Diana Christensen , report by Holden ’ s Max Schumacher as a television incarnation . Network received 10 Oscar nominations , include awards for Chayefsky , Finch ( posthumously ) , Dunaway and Straight .
