Chaplin's Gold Rush Enjoyable and Fun

Although I had never actually watched "The Gold Rush"  I was somewhat familiar with the story and some of the classic clips. I went into to the experience of settling into a big comfy chairs in CAS 106 with rose colored glasses concerning Chaplin. After watching it though, I thought that it was masterfully produced.  

Chaplin's ability to choreograph entire sequences of physical comedy coupled with compelling story lines laden with moral implication, was truly astonishing.   As I watched the movie I tried to imagine what it would be like to make a film with the bare bones production that Chaplin commanded.

 It is evident that Chaplin wanted to portray a particular message with the making of The Gold Rush.  The frenzy of the Yukon gold rush was  what motivated people, controlling their decisions and driving their dreams.  Through all of that however, Chaplin wanted to stress the "people need people", not materialism theme, within the story.  He achieved this by introducing the love interest into the story.  His up and down antics while trying to woo the girl takes the focus off the "gold rush" aspect and places love above all.

At the time of its release, The Gold Rush made a tremendous impact. Hailed as Chaplin's greatest work, A New York Time's article said "as it has more thought and originality than even such masterpieces of mirth as The Kid ". Its release influenced comedic filmmakers like Keaton, the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello.


I would recommend this film to anyone who likes movies.  Even though it is silent, the 96 min running time seemed to speed by. The story enticed me to want to see what would happen next.  I believe that the editing, however, could have been smoother ,yet the imagery was magnificent and the lighting was adequate.


Many of the cabin scenes were extremely detailed and complex. With snow storms, mountainous terrain and precarious slopes, The Set Design of the movie was also notable. After doing some research it was revealed that Chaplin filmed this in California and the cabins scenes were part of a custom built set on a lot at his property.

Chaplin set the pace for a generation of filmmakers to follow.  His sensitivity and dedication to the story a-la-Chaplin, became his calling card that many modern comedic filmmakers continue to emulate today.

The Gold Rush was definitely worth it!


Sources -
http://iwatchedthismovie.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/the-gold-rush-1925/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gold_Rush