The action takes place in 1918, during the First World War. A Jewish barber (Charles Chaplin), enlisted in the army of Tomania, works on a huge canon, although he has some difficulties with it. After a few other mishaps, he finishes the war wounded and with an amnesia. The years go by and Hynkel (Charles Chaplin), the dictator arrives at the head of the country. He promises to his people a revenge and begins to bully the Jews. Meanwhile, the barber goes out of the hospital and gets back to his shop. The barber look strangely like the dictator, and that will make him meets some problems…