WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE
FACTORYÂ (PG)
D:
Mel Stuart
Paramount (David L. Wolper & Stan Margulies)
UK/USA 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 1971
100 mins
Musical/Comedy/Fantasy
W:
Roald Dahl [based on his novel "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory"]
DP: Arthur Ibbetson
Ed: David Saxon
Mus:Â Walter Scharf; Leslie Bricusse & Anthony
Newley
PD:Â Harper Goff
Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka), Peter Ostrum (Charlie
Bucket), Jack Albertson (Grandpa Bucket), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop)
Surprisingly, this original film of the classic children's book
is tailored more for adults than youngsters due to its frequent dark tone, moments of black comedy and occasional scenes of trippy psychedelia which say quite a lot about the era in which it
was made. Still, it has the morals in the right place for youngsters, particularly when it comes to the excesses of greed, gluttony, selfishness and other such bad
characteristics.
Adapted by Roald Dahl himself from his own book, a group of
children all win a golden ticket inside their favourite chocolate bars to visit the secret factory of the eccentric confectioner Willy Wonka, but the spoiled brats all get their comeuppance
when they eat to excess, accompanied by the Oompa Loompa songs about their poor manners and behaviour.Â
The film hasn't dated badly, but the appeal has palled since
Tim Burton directed a more child-friendly version in 2005 (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory). It's still reasonably memorable due to Gene Wilder's wild-eyed performance, the colourful set
design and costumes, the iconic songs and a handful of juvenile performances. Â
8/10