The world is astounded when Willy Wonka, for years a recluse in his factory, announces that five lucky people will be given a tour of the factory, shown all the secrets of his amazing candy, and one will win a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate. Nobody wants the prize more than young Charlie, but as his family is so poor that buying even one bar of chocolate is a treat, buying enough bars to find one of the five golden tickets is unlikely in the extreme. But in movieland, magic can happen. Charlie, along with four somewhat odious other children, get the chance of a lifetime and a tour of the factory. Along the way, mild disasters befall each of the odious children, but can Charlie beat the odds and grab the brass ring?Written by
Rick Munoz <rick.munoz@his.com>
Even though the film was made in Germany, which is world-renowned for its candies, on the DVD commentary, Peter Ostrum said that the sweets were shipped from the United States. In his words: "They were quite stale by the time we got to them." See more »
Goofs
In the inventing room a chocolate room pipe was reused as it is still stained brown from the dyes. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Bill:
All right, all right, all right, what's it going to be? A Triple Cream Cup for Christopher. A Sizzler for June Marie. And listen!
[the children fall silent]
Bill:
Wonka's got a new one today.
Children:
What is it?
Bill:
This is called a Scrumpdiddlyumptious Bar.
See more »
Crazy Credits
At the same time as the end credits are playing, the film shows the Wonkavator rising higher and higher. See more »
Alternate Versions
In the 70's, a short, truncated print was made available for schools, etc. It skips over the entire first half, only showing scenes in the factory (except portions of the scene where everyone waits for the gates to open). It cuts out everything following the "Fizzy Lifting Drinks" scene, and the only two scenes even near their complete versions are the Fizzy Lifting Drinks and the Inventing Room-the lickable wallpaper is cut altogether, only the first half of the Chocolate Room is shown (ending when "Pure Imagination" ends-ommitting Agustus's exit from the film), the parts with the giant contract, and the room with only one door are gone. The scene where Charlie and Grandpa look at the sign for "Hair Cream" is intact, but the boat scene that went before it is gone (meaning a confusing cut from the Chocolate Room to the area outside the inventing room). The scenes with everyone waiting for Wonka to come to the gates are severely shortened-all dialogue is gone. In fact, it makes it appear as if people randomly walked into the factory, rather than a selected group, as is made obvious in the full film. To keep continuity, one scene is shown out of order. The last scene in this version is the final reprise of "Pure Imagination" (beginning with wonka singing "If you want to view paradise...." on the tree), and is shown right after the Fizzy Lifting Drinks scene. It would lead the viewer to believe that the group went back to the chocolate room after the Fizzy lifting drinks room. This version ran appriximately 20 minutes. See more »
Most excellent works in the arts are seen and enjoyed at a variety of "levels." That is true of this movie in general and of Gene Wilder in specific.
Wilder has been known in the circles of movie creators as a creative genius for many years. Here, his acting ability showcases that genius. To be sure, at the level of good fun for kids and Moms and Dads, he comes through. But writers must have loved his work. Watch for the "look" in his eyes. You will see "changes" in them as he speaks or as he listens to the kids. Those unheard, barely seen changes can be read many ways. And that is the genius. They put more into the lines than the words themselves.
Art should be clearly and quickly understood. It should also be the tool used to make us wonder a bit. Think a little. Or find meaning we didn't see at first look.
In this movie, Gene Wilder's almost imperceptible nuances speak volumes.
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Most excellent works in the arts are seen and enjoyed at a variety of "levels." That is true of this movie in general and of Gene Wilder in specific.
Wilder has been known in the circles of movie creators as a creative genius for many years. Here, his acting ability showcases that genius. To be sure, at the level of good fun for kids and Moms and Dads, he comes through. But writers must have loved his work. Watch for the "look" in his eyes. You will see "changes" in them as he speaks or as he listens to the kids. Those unheard, barely seen changes can be read many ways. And that is the genius. They put more into the lines than the words themselves.
Art should be clearly and quickly understood. It should also be the tool used to make us wonder a bit. Think a little. Or find meaning we didn't see at first look.
In this movie, Gene Wilder's almost imperceptible nuances speak volumes.