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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
- Dual Layer ( )
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
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Subtitles |
English, Hebrew, Greek, Portuguese, English - Hearing Impaired, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish |
Extras |
- 2 Theatrical trailer
- 6 Featurette
- Isolated music score - Sherman Demos
- Photo gallery
- 5 TV spot
- Booklet
- Karaoke
- DVD-ROM features
- 2 Interactive game
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: SE |
MGM/MGM Home Entertainment .
R4 . COLOR . 140 mins .
G . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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I’d always thought this a Disney film, but nope, nothing of the sort. A big budget epic from MGM that is surprisingly as cogent today as it was when first released in 1968. From the same pen that brought us the world’s favourite misogynist in James Bond, Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a fairly wonderful musical set in the early quarter of last century. It details the life of a decrepit racecar and a family named the Potts (no relation to Jim Russell’s comic strip family of the same name). When Caractacus Potts, an eccentric inventor raising his two kids Jemima and Jeremy solo since (we assume) their mother passed away, invents a musical candy by chance, he tries to sell it to the Scrumptious Candy Company. He is trying to get the money together so as to buy a derelict old car for his kids to play in, but it fails and he makes enough money by accident at the local fair. He buys the car and restores it and takes his children to the beach for the day, bumping into one Truly Scrumptious, the daughter of Mr. Scrumptious (the Candyman). "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you!" |
After much singing and dancing, the pair start to fall in love when the kids demand a story about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (that’s so hard to type over and over… let’s get modern and call it C2B2). So Caractacus tells a story about Baron Bomburst and his desire to steal the car out from under them. So begins a fantastic tale that takes them across the sea in C2B2 to rescue a city of lost children. And Benny Hill’s in it as a toymaker and he only once clutches the top of his head and winces while closing his legs. I didn’t expect this to have as much appeal as it did, but this film is a truly warm film the whole family can enjoy. Sure there are some awful moments with overly-syrupped songs that leave us with diabetes (the Truly Scrumptious song is the most guilty) but otherwise this is a film harkening back to a bygone era of family entertainment. There’s even the smooth joke delivered with a claw hammer in Truly Scrumptious’ name. Yes indeedy, this was written by Ian Fleming and Miss Truly is but a pace away from Pussy Galore and the host of other humourously named leading women that James Bond gets to shag before eventually firing out of a cannon. However, this has been restored magnificently and holds a monster swag of value and appeal for the family and as a family release I will go on record as having recommended it. It’s funnier than I thought and it’s a tad more eccentric, having the screenplay written by the director Ken Hughes and one Roald Dahl really brings it to the screen in magnificently fun fashion. Caractacus’ crazy inventions have all been created by Roland Emett, an English cartoonist renowned for his whimsical inventions and illustrations. In fact, due to this movie he quit illustrating and began creating his inventions for real as props and such. Which is a bizarre sort of twist really. It would be a neat job though. ‘So what do you do?
‘I invent and then make crazy inventions for movies and television.’
And so on…
Video |
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Contract |
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This is a sterling restoration and transfer job for a film nearing its forties. The colours are brilliant without being oversaturated and lines are crisp and sharp. The wide shots of C2B2 flying over the European forests are awesome and delivered using the full 2.35:1 aspect ratio with anamorphic flying carment. Admittedly some of the special effects here are looking a little dated, but some are surprisingly good even for the late '60s. There’s even an intermission included for the benefit of little bladders from 80:09–81:16. Neat. It was just what I needed.
Audio |
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Contract |
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A broad ranging Dolby Digital 5.1 surround setup here keeps the music rolling on and on (and bloody on) but for the most part the songs aren’t too painful (except the Truly Scrumptious one noted above). The subwoofer does well to deepen the music and stays in constant work throughout. The soundtrack from Richard and Robert Sherman is good fun and clinically chirpy, but does manage a level of warmth without too much treacle. There are some more Chaplinesque moments in here too that suit the text nicely given the feeling of the film as well. Dialogue is okay and well enunciated, though I had some trouble with the levels between studio recorded songs and the lip synching for the film. The sound quality there is very distinct, possibly due to the cleanliness of a digital treatment, and while it doesn’t offend, it is noticeable in half the songs. That is, you can tell they were recorded elsewhere. This isn’t really too big a problem and we’ve known Hollywood has done that for years, so it’s my guess the youngsters couldn’t care or won’t notice anyway.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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Contract |
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This is a brilliantly put together two disc set that represents pretty sound value for money. While the package hasn’t been put together in quite the best way it could have, it is still a nice gathering of special features and an incredible transfer of the film from its original big screen print. A fun film that still has a lot to offer nearly 40 years on and one that the kids will most likely have a good time watching. I enjoyed it anyway and that’s saying something I suppose. Well worth the investigation for parents who remember the film fondly and wish to share it with their kids today (or maybe grandkids, I dunno). Truly Scrumptious. (Hands up who could see that final note coming?)
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=4014
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And I quote... |
"Well, it was made in 1968 and there’s little doubt it looks better than it ever has… Truly Scrumptious, one might say." - Jules Faber |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Teac DVD-990
- TV:
AKAI CT-T29S32S 68cm
- Speakers:
Teac PLS-60 Home Theatre System
- Centre Speaker:
Teac PLS-60 Home Theatre System
- Surrounds:
Teac PLS-60 Home Theatre System
- Subwoofer:
Akai
- Audio Cables:
Standard RCA
- Video Cables:
Standard Component RCA
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