BFI Charlie Chaplin: The Mutual Comedies 1916-1917 DVD

Charlie Chaplin entered the film industry in 1914 and by 1916 was the highest paid entertainer in the world after signing a contract with the Mutual Film Corporation for a salary of $670,000. Mutual built Chaplin his very own studio and allowed him total freedom to make 12 two-reel films during a 12-month period, which have been brought together for the first time on this two-disc box set. Chaplin subsequently recognised this period of film-making as the most inventive and liberating of his career.

These twelve films demonstrate the breadth of Chaplin’s abilities as both a physical slapstick actor and a subtle, endearing character actor. The collection includes the slapstick custard pie fights of Behind the Screen and his first minor masterpiece, The Vagabond, where he successfully combines pathos and comedy to create a lyrical love story.

This collection of Chaplin films has been fully restored and features music by acclaimed silent film composer Carl Davis.