Year: 1918
Director: Charles Chaplin
Country: US
Language: N/A
For most countries on Earth, World War One had already been fought on many battlefields for some time. Chaplin had already been critiqued by the British Media for not participating, although the loveable tramp claims that he was willing to fight but had not been drafted. Many at the time didn't want Chaplin to be a soldier anyways, as the entertainment he provided to the troops was an absolute necessity. The Bond (1918) would be a film Chaplin made to convince Americans to go to war.
Charlie and friends illustrate various bonds in life and the most important, Liberty Bonds for the war.
Less of an entertaining comedy, and more of a necessary public service announcement, The Bond's main purpose was to light a fire under the asses of wealthy americans, convincing them to buy into the war. Though pure propaganda (hey, at least it was for the eventual winning side!) one can claim its effectiveness as Chaplin and friends successfully raised hundreds of thousands because of this grand picture.
Written, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin this film is a great achievement and, even though it was made for purely political purposes, he still manages to make us laugh when he brings out his beloved Tramp character. I particularly liked the segment wherin he falls in love with his leading lady Edna Purviance. Lots of surreal lovey dovey visuals that add quick a charm to what could have been a more robotic venture.
It's clearly not one of Chaplin's best shorts, but it did have great purpose and delivered on assisting the allied front of World War One. Though we could not say for certain, perhaps the scales would have tipped in the other direction if not for The Bond. It's an important film in Chaplin's canon and should be recongnized as such
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