Summary
A hapless inventor finally finds success with a flying car, which a dictator from a foreign government sets out to take for himself.
Cast
Dick Van Dyke
Caractacus Potts
Sally Ann Howes
Truly Scrumptious
Lionel Jeffries
Grandpa Potts
Gert Fröbe
Baron Bomburst
Anna Quayle
Baroness Bomburst
Benny Hill
Toymaker
James Robertson Justice
Lord Scrumptious
Robert Helpmann
Child Catcher
Barbara Windsor
Blonde
Davy Kaye
Admiral
Alexander Doré
First Spy
Bernard Spear
Second Spy
Stanley Unwin
Chancellor
Peter Arne
Captain of Guard
Heather Ripley
Jemima Potts
Adrian Hall
Jeremy Potts
Desmond Llewelyn
George Coggins
Victor Maddern
Junkman
Arthur Mullard
Cyril, Big Man
Ross Parker
Chef
Gerald Campion
Minister
Felix Felton
Minister
Monti DeLyle
Minister
Totti Truman Taylor
Duchess
Larry Taylor
Lieutenant
Max Bacon
Orchestra Leader
Max Wall
Inventor
John Heawood
Inventor
Michael Darbyshire
Inventor
Kenneth Waller
Inventor
Gerald Taylor
Inventor
Eddie Davis
Inventor
Richard Wattis
Secretary at Sweet Factory (Uncredited)
Phil Collins
Vulgarian Teen
Robert Arditti
Dancer (uncredited)
Vic Armstrong
Cavalry Guard at Cannon (uncredited)
Michael Audreson
Peter (uncredited)
Theo Aygar
4th Minister (uncredited)
John Baskcomb
Castle Chef (uncredited)
Roy Beck
Grand Prix Spectator (uncredited)
Jimmy Berriman
Child in Castle (uncredited)
Eunice Black
Courtier (uncredited)
Bill Brandon
'Test your Strength' Attendant (uncredited)
Phil Collins
Vulgarian Child (uncredited)
Tim Condren
Cavalry Guard (uncredited)
Sadie Corre
Field Worker (uncredited)
John Corrie
Soldier (uncredited)
John Crocker
Under Chef (uncredited)
Cyril Cross
Minister (uncredited)
Dan Darnelli
Man in the Sweet Factory (uncredited)
Gabrielle Daye
Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
Ernest Fennemore
Man at Fair (uncredited)
Harry Fielder
Soldier at Castle (uncredited)
Henry Gibson
Dancer (uncredited)
Carson Green
Urchin (uncredited)
Kay Hamilton
3rd Duchess (uncredited)
Miranda Hampton
Scullery Maid (uncredited)
John Hicks
Boy (uncredited)
Robert Jenner
Field Worker (uncredited)
Nigel Kingsley
Child in Castle (uncredited)
Teddy Kiss Atom
Minor Role (uncredited)
George Leech
Chitty's original driver (uncredited)
Jim Machin
Child (uncredited)
Mary Maxfield
Lady at the Fair (uncredited)
Connel Miles
Dancer (uncredited)
Roy Murray
Fairground Barker (uncredited)
Grace Newcombe
2nd Duchess (uncredited)
Dickie Owen
Major Domo (uncredited)
Paul Phillips
Soldier (uncredited)
Dido Plumb
Townsman (uncredited)
Colin Rix
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Jessie Robins
Pastry Cook (uncredited)
Richard Wattis
Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited)
Reg Thomason
Castle Guest (uncredited)
Crew
Director, Screenplay
Ken Hughes
Novel
Ian Fleming
Screenplay
Roald Dahl
Reviews
John Chard
September 6, 2014
8
Fantasmagorical!
Based on the novel written by James Bond creator Ian Flemming, this delightful fantasy charts the journey into the mysteriously childless world of Vulgaria by Caractacus Potts, his two children, Truly Scrumptious and super car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
I think the main thing that makes this film work so well is that it has a little of everything to make a successful family movie. Catchy tunes at every turn, a fairy tale kingdom awash with colour, bonkers technology, and a little slice of wickedness involving class distinction. Split very much into two halves, Chitty at its core is really about forming a complete family. We are introduced to Caracatus (Dick Van Dyke) who is a single father, who is doing his best to raise his two children with moral fortitude. It's through the children's love of an old rusty car that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is born, and after pretty lady Truly Scrumptious (a gorgeous Sally Ann Howes) comes into their lives, all four of them enter the second half of the movie after having firmly capturing the audience's attention with a firming promise of a family in waiting.
The second half of the picture then whisks us far away into fantasy territory. Vulagaria is ruled by crackers toy obsessive Baron Bomburst (Gert Fröbe in wonderful bacon sandwich mode), he has banned children, and naturally he has his sights set firmly on the magnificence that is Chitty Chitty. Bomburst sends out his child snatcher to nab Caracatus' kids in the hope of bargaining for the special car. The child snatcher played by Robert Helpman is as iconic as he is terrifying, wonky hat and pointy nose he lures children in with promises of sweets and treacle tarts, he thus became the invader of many a childs poor nightmares for sure.
But this is a family film after all, and sure enough this splendid ride speeds to a joyous finale that is cloaked in colour and feel good eccentricity, yep, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang still works on repeat viewings. 8/10
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$10,000,000.00
Revenue:
$7,500,445.00
