The Pawnshop Poster
Comedy
Silent Film

The Pawnshop (1916) Review in 2025

7/10
Flop

The Pawnshop is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Charles Chaplin, where he plays a pawnbroker who gets caught up in a series of misadventures.

25 minutes
English (Dubbed: )
Age group: 13-25, Interests: Comedy, Silent Film
Director:
Charles Chaplin
Budget: 0.5 million USD
Gross: 1 million USD

Family-Friendly Rating

Is this movie suitable for family viewing?

This film is suitable for family viewing, but it may not be suitable for very young children due to some mild slapstick humor.

CineReview Recommendation

This film is worth watching for fans of silent comedy and Chaplin's work, but it may not be as engaging for viewers who are not familiar with the genre.

Spoiler Alert!

Hover to reveal spoiler summary

The film follows Chaplin's character as he tries to pawn a watch, but things quickly spiral out of control, leading to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and mishaps.

Review Details

story6.00/10

The story is simple and predictable, but it's well-executed and has some nice moments of slapstick humor.

acting8.00/10

Chaplin's acting is superb, and he does a great job of conveying the character's emotions and reactions.

characters7.00/10

Chaplin's character is well-developed and relatable, and he does a great job of conveying the character's emotions through pantomime.

direction8.00/10

Chaplin's direction is excellent, and he does a great job of pacing the film and creating a sense of tension and release.

cinematography6.00/10

The cinematography is basic, but it gets the job done and helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Chaplin's direction and acting are excellent, and the film has some nice moments of slapstick humor.

Cons

The story is simple and predictable, and the cinematography is basic.

Notable Quotes

"'I'm not a thief, I'm a businessman!'"
"'The pawnbroker's dilemma!'"

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