Held to be the best film Disney never made, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is arguably one of the best-loved family musicals. When you consider the pedigree of the cast a crew a success was almost guaranteed. Based on a book by Bond author Ian Fleming and from the producer of the Bond films Cubby Broccoli Chitty is a charming family film full of memorable songs. With the music written by the Sherman Brothers (Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, The Aristocats amongst many) the quality of the songs bring the film some gravitas. Scripted by none other than children's author Roald Dahl who's own work mirrors Flemmings story of mixture of childhood delight with a sinister under tone. Set Design is also by the legendary Ken Adams who designed most of the early Bond films.
Plot Synopsis Professor Caracticus Potts is a single parent trying to bring up two children. He is an inventor, but everything he seems to make is charmingly flawed.
After rescuing a former race car, Caractacus decides to renovate her egged on by the children. Into their lives stumbles Truly Scrumptious, the daughter of the local sweet magnet to whom Caracticus tried to sell one of his inventions, Toot Sweets. After going for a picnic they are perused by the evil Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria who is determined to have Chitty for himself. This is when they discover that Chitty cannot only fly but travel on water and their adventures start…..
The gadgets that littered their home fascinated me as a child and who wouldn't have wanted to live in a windmill as a child. Chitty is the type of film that you either love or will find too saccharine. I love it.
Like many, I have very clear memories of being scared by the child catcher when little and the very creepy performance has lost none of its impact. The star of the film, though, is undoubtedly one of the best-known cars in film history Chitty herself. Gorgeously made out of wood and chrome with copper detailing, its design is one of the greatest car designs ever for film. With location shoots in the south of France and the glorious Bavarian Alps. The Disney connection continues with the Barons Castle being shot on location at Neuschwanstein, which was the basis for all the Disney castles in their theme parks. Like most Flemming stories there is a nasty streak in the form of the child catcher but Truly Scrumptious is a Bond girl name if ever I've heard it.
Dick Van Dyke is dependable as always and at least has lost the awful cod Cockney accent form Mary Poppins a few years before. Truly is played by Sally Ann Howes who has a very strong singing voice. Filled with character turned by several names that include Lionel Jeffries and the slight mad Granddad, Benny Hill as the Toy Maker, Stanley Unwin as the chancellor and Gert Frobe as Baron Bomburst (aka Goldfinger). If you keep your eyes open you'll see Babs Windsor pop up in a small role too.
Disc Features Unlike the previous DVD release, this one is in glorious widescreen, the way it was meant to be seen and there is something for everyone here.
MGM have matched the high quality of the Bond DVD's by providing a lot of background material;. ' The extras kick off with 'Remembering Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke' documentary There is a Region 2 exclusive extra in the form of a just under 10 mins featurette of behind the scenes of the new West End musical based on the film. There is a short featurette on GEN11, one of the surviving Chitty's and her owner (Chitty now run's on LPG!) and two interactive games for the kids. A Sing along Feature that gives you karaoke syle lyrics on the screen, a Read Along story feature, 3 archive interviews, a34 page collectors booklet and some original Sherman Brothers Song demos as well as the standard vintage trailers. The only thing I think the disc is missing is a commentary but this is a minor gripe
As you can see there is something for everyone on this disc.
Cost is around £15.00 but like always worth shopping around. Maybe less on line. (try Tesco.com or play.com for example) Alternatively there is a special edition box set that includes thios standard disc, a cd soundtrack of the West End musical and a corgi model Chitty for around £25. This was a limited edition however so avliablity may be now limited.
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Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the book by Bond creator Ian Fleming and adapted for the ... more
screen by Roald Dahl is the wonderful family film starring Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts an eccentric inventor who designs an extraordinary car that not only d...
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