Product description

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968] [DVD]

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Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 5050070010633
Label : MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer : MGM Entertainment
Publisher : MGM Entertainment
Release date : 2003-11-10
Title : Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968] [DVD]
Actor : Array
Audience rating : Parental Guidance
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1968-01-01
Region code : 2
Running time : 136
Studio : MGM Entertainment
Theatrical releaseDate : 1968-12-18
Number of discs : 2

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
This re-mastered, pan-and-scan 30th-anniversary edition of that kiddie-car caper is flawed but solid family fare. It retains a quaint charm while some of the songs--including the title tune--are quite hummable. A huge plus is Dick Van Dyke, who is extremely appealing as an eccentric inventor around the turn of the century. With nimble fingers and a unique way of looking at the world, he invents for his children a magic car that floats and flies. Or does he? The special effects are tame by today's standards, and the film is about 20 minutes too long--but its enthusiasm charms. The script was cowritten by Roald Dahl and based on the novel by Ian Fleming, best known for his James Bond adventures. I--Rochelle O'Gorman/I

Amazon.co.uk Review
IChitty Chitty Bang Bang/I 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 IMary Poppins/I), Sally Ann Howes (Truly Scrumptious) and the children. p 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 IThe Wizard of Oz/I. 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. IChitty Chitty Bang Bang/I is the ultimate nostalgic confection for family viewing. p BOn the DVD:/B IChitty Chitty Bang Bang/I 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. --IPiers Ford/I

Customer reviews

review by: dkthomson date: 2009-04-30 rating:

Family Delight
What more can be written about this brilliant family film. Not much, so I will not bother other than to say Sir Robert Helpmann's Child Catcher left me deliciously terrified as a six year old in 1968 and my daughter in the same state as a ten year old now. That the character was so scary has to be a great credit to Helpmann an incredibly gentle person. br /Any family collection has to contain this film and the extras on this version kept my daughter absolutely rapt. Fabulous.

review by: date: 2009-04-28 rating:

Romanian subtitles
I take this opportunity to warmly recommend the extension of the Romanian subtitles on more and more products. For the time being, from the products I ordered, only the Beverly Hills Cop series has this facility. br /Regarding the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie, what can I add? It's a beautiful fairy tale and we should remember more often to be again children and to dream on. br /Yours faithfully, br /Liviu Georgescu br /

review by: Be Precise date: 2009-04-25 rating:

EevinMairMadMotorin'
This is a film of a type I intensely dislike - it is musical. So I hadn't watched it until now - and was totally unaware of the sheer daftness of it. I still "fast forward" at the songs - although I like each individually. But apart from that - Dick van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes are ideal in their parts - then James Robertson Justice, an actor, like Donald Wolfit, with a most unexpected talent for comedy. But they can act - so why should I be surprized? Lionel Jeffries is hissssself, daft and enjoyable. And the scene in the factory with the DUGS - I am a Scot - is wonderful. br /And finally , THE CAR, it's a magnificent creation. And I love the ending when reality has returned and Truly and Caractacus are driving off and then suddenly you realise they are flying!! I am sure that car can think!!! (A bit of "matte bleed" is apparent at this point.) But, my usual remark, who cares? br /Then the other disc with details - as usual I found this more watchable than the actual film! All-in-all well worth the money. br /

review by: date: 2009-02-04 rating:

An all time favourite
Bought this video for my granddaughter and she loves it, just as her elder brothers did before her. They played it over and over again, so was well worn, and a new one overdue. She is three and loves musicals, especially with children in them. She picks up the songs and sings along. This is a wonderful family film which can be watched over and over again, which is just as well as I have been forced to be their comfy armchair over the years whilst they watched this magical film. Considered quite old now, it never fails to entertain and is watched alongside Mamma Mia.

review by: date: 2009-01-01 rating:

Not the widescreen version
Ignore the "On the DVD" part of the amazon review, as the version on this DVD is what you would see on a regular TV broadcast, i.e. the ends of the original widescreen shape have been cropped off to make the image 1.33:1 proportions. Only the opening credits (the vintage car race scenes) have the original letterboxed widescreen retained. Other than that it is fine, especially at the current bargain price, but if you want to see the images framed the way they were intended by the film's director then look for the two-disc anniversary edition instead.

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