The Real Charlie Chaplin12A

Directed by Peter Middleton & James Spinney | USA | 2021 | 1h 54m | Starring Pearl Mackie, Jeff Rawle, Paul Ryan, Dominic Marsh

Combining unheard audio recordings, dramatic reconstructions, and personal archives, this documentary traces Charlie Chaplin’s rise from the slums of Victorian London to the heights of Hollywood superstardom. A fascinating look at the life of one of cinema’s greatest icons from the filmmakers behind the BAFTA-nominated 2016 documentary Notes On Blindness.

Reviews

‘A representative picture of Chaplin’s life and career does emerge, bolstered by plenty of wonderful clips which are allowed to speak – or more often not speak – for themselves.’
★★★★
Robbie Collin, The Telegraph

‘This snappy and searching doc makes a very solid fist of finding the man behind the Little Tramp.’
★★★★
Philip De Semlyen, Time Out

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Real Charlie Chaplin between March 14, 2022 and March 24, 2022.

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What else is on?

Today (Sunday 14th December)

16:30

The Ice Tower 15
1h 57m | French w/ English subtitles
Runaway teenager Jeanne finds refuge in a film studio adapting The Snow Queen and becomes enthralled by enigmatic star Cristina. Marion Cotillard mesmerises in Lucile Hadžihalilović’s dreamlike, 1970s-infused tale of obsession, underscored by a hypnotic score.

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19:15

Alpha 18
2h 8m | French w/ English subtitles
Rebellious Alpha clashes with her doctor mother amid fears she’s infected by a terrifying blood-borne disease turning victims to marble. Julia Ducournau fuses body horror with emotional intensity, creating a visceral coming-of-age tale about identity, love, and fragile family bonds.

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Tomorrow (Monday 15th December)

17:30

Pillion 18
Descriptive Subtitles
1h 47m
Quiet traffic warden Colin’s life radically shifts when a domineering biker draws him into an unexpected BDSM relationship. Navigating desire, vulnerability, and boundaries, he uncovers new emotional depths. Harry Lighton’s fearless debut blends comedy, kink, and tenderness, starring Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård.

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20:00

CUTS: Secret Santa 18
Will you get what you want for CUTSMAS? Join CUTS (Cinema Under The Stairs) for their annual festive knees-up filled with mulled wine, popcorn, prizes, and a mystery Christmas classic movie selected by the audience! Ticket cost £10, book and vote today!

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!