Rock and Pop (Teach Yourself Music)

May 26, 2008 | By Doug In Pop Music |

The only music connoisseurs this would presumably appeal to would be fans of Iron Maiden or college campus rock. Read more..

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang entranced and thrilled children and their parents when it puttered into the cinema in 1968. More than three decades later, and despite the eventual arrival of a stage version that throws the full weight of blockbuster effects at the story, the original remains the real thing for fans of all ages. The flying car is the star and it’s impossible not to feel a surge of thrilling relief as the wings kick in when she plunges over the cliff and soars off on her great adventure. The songs might not be the greatest in musical history, but they are delivered with great charm by Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts (a toned-down version of his infamous Bert in Mary Poppins), Sally Ann Howes (Truly Scrumptious) and the children.

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
List Price: ?19.99
Amazon Price: ?5.97
Used Price: ?3.99
Customer Review: Amazon sent me disc2 Bonuses and not the damn movie!
I have had to resort to writing a review because – I use the Rental system which I must say is very good – however my daughter wanted to watch ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ so I ordered it. Low and behold Amazon sent not Disc 1 (the movie) but only Disc 2(the bonuses)! If anyone has found a way of emailing Amazon or actually able to speak to anyone please let me know as YOU CANNOT CONTACT THEM, EVER! Amazon please, be more customer facing – have a phone number, have an email address – it’s called CUSTOMER SERVICE oh and yes, please send me THE MOVIE, my daughter did not want to watch 10 variations of the TRAILOR! Yours, Frustrated from the Cotswolds!
Customer Review: Wonderful children’s film
This is a wonderful film for small children, and adults will be pleasantly surprised by how little it has dated. I saw this film as a small child when it first came out and loved it. Recently I was reminded how good the music of the film was when I happened on the song “The Roses of Success” on the internet, and my children appeared in my office in ten seconds flat to see what Daddy was listening to. So I thought I would get them the DVD. It held their attention for several playings, and the music was as good as I had remembered. The original books were written by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, and were quite dark in tone. The film version, however, is a light musical comedy. Dick van Dyke plays Caractacus Potts, who is a poverty stricken inventor, and a widower with two small children. He buys and rebuilds a famous former racing car, which his children name Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after the distinctive noise made by the car’s exhaust. (Fleming put a note in the books to the effect that there really was a famous racing car which had this nickname for precisely that reason.) The Potts family meet Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) daughter of the local sweet magnate Lord Scrumptious (James Robertson Justice.) After they get off to a bad start, she tries to help Caractacus Potts raise the money to restore the car. Initial plans to raise money fall through, but Caractacus gets the necessary funds by pure chance. Restoration completed, Caractacus takes his children to the beach and again they join up with Truly Scrumptious. He tells his children an imaginary story about a wicked foreign potentate, with a wife who hates children, and who wants to steal this wonderful car – a car which can turn into a boat, and also fly. Foreign agents first try to steal the car, then kidnapp Caractacus’s father. The viewer is caught up in the story. Most people will know the ending but I’m not going to give it away for those who don’t. Excellent performances from van Dyke, Howes (was she really 38 years old when this was made?) and James Robertson Justice. Other cast members included Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill, and Barbara Windsor (long before she was famous). Roald Dahl and Ken Huges did the screenplay. Perhaps the most memorable part of the film is Richard M Sherman’s wonderful music and lyrics.
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