Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971) - DVD (Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole - Dir: Mel Stuart)

Having proven itself as a favourite film of children around the world, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is every bit as entertaining now as it was when originally released in 1971. There's a timeless appeal to Roald Dahl's classic children's novel, which was playfully preserved in this charming musical, from the colourful carnival-like splendour of its production design to the infectious melody of the "Oompah-Loompah" songs that punctuate the story. Who can forget those diminutive Oompah-loompah workers who recite rhyming parental warnings ("Oompah-loompah, doopity do...") whenever some mischievous child has disobeyed Willy Wonka's orders to remain orderly?

Oh, but we're getting ahead of ourselves ... it's really the story of the impoverished Charlie Bucket, who, along with four other kids and their parental guests, wins a coveted golden ticket to enter the fantastic realm of Wonka's mysterious confectionery. After the other kids have proven themselves to be irresponsible brats, it's Charlie who impresses Wonka and wins a reward beyond his wildest dreams. But before that, the tour of Wonka's factory provides a dazzling parade of delights, and with Gene Wilder giving a brilliant performance as the eccentric candyman, Wonka gains an edge of menace and madness that nicely counterbalances the movie's sentimental sweetness. It's that willingness to risk a darker tone--to show that even a wonderland like Wonka's can be a weird and dangerous place if you're a bad kid--that makes this an enduring family classic. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews of Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

M. Carroll

18th February 2008

Awesome
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory is the best children's film I have ever seen, better even than the book. All Roald Dahl fans out there BUY IT NOW

Steveml
Lancs, England
27th October 2007

Never forgotten!
One of those classics that you can watch as a child,
and remember it in later years. Although released in 1971
it is much better and heart-warming than the 2005
version - and that's coming from a Johnny Depp fan!

pingpong
U.K
23rd April 2007

Just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie is just brilliant, its such a classic! its enjoyable for kids and adults, and having recently bought it, there are parts of the movie i found funny now that i totally missed as a child! NO dvd collection should be without this absolute movie classic! 10/10 love it!

FAMOUS NAME
UNITED KINGDOM
15th March 2007

Crazy, zany, and sometimes silly movie.

CAUTION: Be careful! It would not do to mispronounce this movie title!!

The film gets off to quite a good start, and the strongest song is undoubtedly 'Cheer Up Charlie', but that's it with regards to the music score. After this, the movie sort of loses its way... I'm not sure who this film is aimed at; eccentric adults, children, or simply mad people! Silly in parts, and totally embarrassing in others... However, the film does have some good moments, and though most kids in films can be both annoying and irritating rather than entertaining, there is some fun in the Veruca character, and little Charlie definitely tugs at our heart strings when dreaming of his winning a golden ticket in the chocolate bar. The casting though, makes the story slightly confusing; is it Britain or America? Such a mixture of English and American stars and accents tends to leave the viewer rather mixed up...

Great for chocoholics, but as someone who has never understood what is so great about sweets - or gorging themselves for the sake of eating, this is not my favourite film, but watchable if in the mood for some light entertainment.

Pop Culture Lover
UK
1st January 2007

Childhood favourite
When I was a nipper I sat and watched this film a lot, I'm told at least once a month. I still smile every time I watch it, not just because it reminds me of the years before I had to go to school, but because it brings out the child in all of us.

It must be every child's dream to go to the place where all their favourite sweets are created, and it is this dream that inspires this film (and book of course). If real chocolate factories were as colourful and fantastic as Willy Wonka's then the workers would never go home.

There's also the story in there that it doesn't matter how much money you have in life, if you are a good person then you will get the luck you deserve.

The songs, the characters and the sets are what make this one of the best family films ever. The chocolate room with thrill the youngsters, and for the adults there are Wonka's witty remarks and seeing the lengths people have go to to get a Golden Ticket (the one with the computer is the best).

I saw the recent one and thought that was to busy trying to out do the original. This one is far better, Gene Wilder really owns the character of Wonka, and young Charlie is magnificently played by Peter Ostrum.

Fun for all ages.