Chitty Chitty Bang Bang [1968]

And then there is Robert Helpmann's child catcher, a terrifyingly sinister figure who exudes a pungent whiff of undiluted evil unmatched by any character since Dorothy squared up to the witch in The Wizard of Oz. Cameos from British character actors abound: Benny Hill, Lionel Jeffries, Anna Quayle, James Robertson Justice and Max Wall all put in appearances that add some fibre to the overall sweetness of the story. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the ultimate nostalgic confection for family viewing.

On the DVD: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Special Edition comes to DVD in widescreen format with a Dolby soundtrack to recreate the authentic cinematic experience for everyone who remembers it from the first time round. The picture quality is robust, revealing some rather homespun aspects to the special effects. Extras are dominated by Dick Van Dyke remembering his time on the film, plus a short item on the origins of the car itself and various trailers. --Piers Ford

I can only say now that I was pleasantly surprised when we all sat down and thoroughly enjoyed the whole film. The kids were glued to it and now love it so much that they know almost all the words to all the songs and is still (after 12 months of it being on the DVD shelf) being played week in, week out.

Its lasting appeal to all generations in recent years has been competely forgotten in my opinion and great films during one generation, always survive with such vigour as indeed my kids keep reminding me.

After more than 50 playings, it is still going strong and dare say it will contrinue to do so in the years to come...


fantasmogorically brilliant!   January 30, 2005
Ms. S. L. Firth (Stoke, UK)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

What can I say- I just love this film. I had it on video and almost wore away the tape from repeated watchings! I bought the Collectors Edition DVD set complete with Chitty car and double dvd discs. This is a fantastic journey through an adventure. Crisp picture quality and sound allowed me to see the film through new eyes. The songs are fantastic; my favourite being Doll On A Music Box as its my favourite scene in the whole film because of the sheer brilliance of Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes' convincing portrayal of toys. The childcatcher still scares me everytime he says Come and Get Your Lollipops. I tried to explain this to my class, who have never seen the film. They're in for a treat at the end of term when I put it onto the interactive whiteboard with surround sound. Despite the 1968 style special effects, which were fantastic by those standards, you get sucked into the world of Chitty. I always wanted to be Truly Scrumptious when I was little. Seeing this again has reminded me of fond childhood memories. I've watched it over four times in one week because I've noticed things in the widescreen version that I didn't have on VHS- such as Sally Ann Howes smacking Dick Van DYke into the mirror during the music box scene. I also find the two spies much funnier now. Gert Frobe as Baron Bombhurst adds hilarity and I remember Anna Quayle more for her part as Mrs Monroe in Grange Hill rather than the Baroness in Chitty. Their scene for Chu-chi Face is quite sado-masochistic as an adult watcher of the film. Children would not get the undertones of the darkness of their relationship! All in all, I would have loved to have seen the wedding between Truly and Caractacus but as the film is long enough, the immortal lines "Well Mr Potts, now we'll have to get married!" will have to do and leave the rest to imagination. Just one gripe- Sally Ann Howes should have been given much more to do- her voice is a stunner. Much as many people have claimed that there wasn't much chemistry between her and Van Dyke- I beg to differ. On widescreen you notice that there is a smouldering chemistry by small facial expressions. The kids were great too! Oh, and I didn't realise that beach was in St Tropez. Better get travelling to see it and run through the surf there as they did in the film!


Oh you Pretty Chitty Bang Bang   November 15, 2000
c.mcguiness@bilk.ac.uk (Leeds, England)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This was always one of my faves as a child and its lost none of its appeal. The story is truly magical as Proffesor Potts ( the ever chirpy Dick Van Dyke ) restores an old banger into a flying machine that takes him, his children, Jeremy and Jemmima and newly acquired lady friend Truly Scrumptious on a fantastic adventure to rescue his dad who has been carried away to a stange castle near Bavaria where children are not allowed and the people live in fear. The songs which are catchy and very hummable include Toot Sweets, Youre my Little Choochy Face, the title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Hushaby Mountain. With a flying car, a character called Truly Scrumptious who's dad owns a sweet factory and Benny Hill as a toymaker you can't fail really. Those of the cowardly variety may want a cushion or handy sofa to hide behind when the Childcatcher makes his appearances. I may be grown up now but when I see that nose and that hair I still go all shivery!


CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG   June 18, 2002
J Lo (Co Antrim United Kingdom)
14 out of 17 found this review helpful

I bought this video for my children 6years ago and it is still a firm favourite today. It is a fantasy adventure suitable for both boys and girls, about a car that can fly. And of course as in all good stories, there's a happy ending when dreams really do come true. Though this doesn't happen until the children, their father and his girlfriend and the grandfather become involved in a thrilling adventure. There is one particular part about the child-catcher that had my children hiding behind cushions when they were younger. Altogether it is one of our favourite films which I reckon could only be surpassed by seeing it performed live at the London Palladium with Michael Ball!


Addictive   November 14, 2003
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I went and saw the stage version of Chitty and loved it, but whilst I have been off school ill this week I watched the movie and can't stop watching it. Call me sad, but I am addicted to it!
I was really annoyed when I read a review on the movie last which said ' Sally Ann Howes (aka Truly) was supposed to be the Julie Andrews of the movie, but she can't act or sing as well as Julie herself!' All I can say is, if Sally was meant to act and sing like Julie, then the producers would have taken Julie on board instead of Sally. Sally is Sally and not Julie. She can act and sing nearly, if not better, then Julie Andrews and that brings the movie to life, so STOP COMPARING THEM!!!!!
My favourite part of the movie was definately the songs and dance routines, with 'Doll on the music box' and 'toot sweets'the main ones which I constantly sing along to!
The scene which I find the most annoying is the end one, simply because it ends, and wish they had filmed the wedding and what the four are like as a family living under the same roof.
Any way, I love the film now, andI will do in the future!