Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

What a classic! A film everyone must see as a classic amazing theatrical film. A film based on the story by Ian Fleming, and screenplay written by Roald Dahl, directed by Ken Hughes. Brilliant stars all amazing in their character. The inventor, Caractacus Potts played by the brilliant Dick Van Dyke, driving the narration and adding comedy and song, a willing to do anything father of his two children Jeremy (Adrian Hall) and Jemima (Heather Ripley). Also, the brilliant Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) and Grandpa Potts (Lionel Jeffries). The villain Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe) and his wife Baroness (Anna Quayle), with their hilarious relationship, complicated with hate to say the least. Truly’s father, Lord Scrumptious (James Robertson Justice), with his harsh schedule to time and his love for his sweet factory. The kind and caring toymaker (Benny Hill), willing to help when no one would. And not forgetting the petrifying child catcher (Robert Helpmann), who to say the least was one of the scariest villains in childhood. All characters are amazing and bring so much to the film, all excellent in their own way and create a film never to be forgotten.

This film is a brilliant family film, enjoyable for all. As we follow the backstories of the characters, one day at the beach we are transported into a story, all about an evil Baron who wants the outstanding car of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is able to float and fly and be a normal car within that. There are great songs, comedy and so many memorable performances. The performances are just something that stands out by themselves. They make the film amazing. The memorable performance of the toys for the Baron’s birthday, or waiting for Lord Scrumptious to whistle on the toot sweet, or the fun dance sequence at the circus, or even the comedic sing and dance where the Baron tries to kill his wife, it’s much less serious than it sounds though, I promise. You can tell the actors and actresses are extremely skilled with perfectly executed theatrical performances amongst the film. All the songs are great as well, of course sung well! Especially the incredibly catchy theme tune of the film, you know the song! “Oh you, pretty chitty bang bang, chitty chitty bang bang we love you, and our pretty chitty bang bang loves us too, high low anywhere we go on chitty chitty we depend, bang bang chitty chitty bang bang, our fine four fendered friend”. It must be in your head now! There is of course tons of comedy, lots of different comedy to appreciate as well. There’s slapstick among the two spies sent to get the car. The eccentric commotion of the Grandpa. The cleverness of the puppet man. The whole film is fabulous!

As you can tell, obviously, I would recommend this film! It is a classic that is a must see! Everyone must have heard of this film and that alone stands at what a classic film it is. It’s one of those films you wouldn’t regret watching. A fun family film, an enjoyable performance film, a comedy and adventure film. If you haven’t seen it I would be surprised and you must watch it as soon as possible. It might seem a long film, but it has so much enjoyment in it that it’s never a waste of time!

Besides you have to love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it’s in the song!