Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Overview

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a beloved, larger-than-life family fantasy musical that has enchanted audiences since its release in 1968. With a pedigree that includes James Bond creator Ian Fleming (who wrote the original children's novel), legendary producer Albert R. Broccoli, screenwriter Roald Dahl, and the musical talents of the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), this film is an ambitious, whimsical romp through candy-colored landscapes, fantastical inventions, and catchy tunes.

Though often remembered fondly by generations of children, the film has also received its share of criticism for its uneven tone, indulgent runtime, and narrative eccentricities. Nevertheless, its enduring charm, unforgettable songs, and dazzling production design continue to make it a nostalgic favourite and a staple of British family cinema.

Plot Summary

Set in Edwardian England, the story revolves around the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), a widower raising his two children, Jeremy and Jemima, in a charmingly ramshackle windmill. Potts is the archetypal mad genius, building bizarre contraptions that never quite work—until he restores a dilapidated race car that the children discover in a junkyard.

The car, christened Chitty Chitty Bang Bang due to the sputtering noises it makes, turns out to have magical powers: it can fly and even float on water. This magical car becomes the centrepiece of a fantastical adventure that unfolds as Potts tells the children a wild story involving spies, castles, a kidnapped grandfather, an evil Baron and Baroness from the fictional land of Vulgaria, and a terrifying villain known as the Child Catcher.

Joining Potts and his children on this adventure is Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), the spirited daughter of a sweet factory magnate who eventually falls in love with the inventor and becomes part of the family.

Performances

Dick Van Dyke delivers a warm, likable performance as Caractacus Potts, exuding charisma and good-natured charm. While his English accent is far from convincing (thankfully toned down compared to Mary Poppins), Van Dyke brings physical comedy, musicality, and a paternal sincerity that makes Potts a lovable and engaging protagonist.

Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious brings elegance and vocal prowess to her role. Her singing voice is particularly rich and refined, providing a more operatic counterbalance to Van Dyke’s light, musical theatre style. Her chemistry with Van Dyke is gentle and believable, though not deeply explored.

Lionel Jeffries steals scenes as Grandpa Potts. In an ironic twist, Jeffries (only six months older than Van Dyke) is utterly convincing as the lovable, slightly batty grandfather, delivering one-liners and whimsical reflections with impeccable timing.

Gert Fröbe and Anna Quayle are delightfully hammy as the villainous Baron and Baroness Bomburst, veering into full pantomime territory. Their performances are gleefully over-the-top, providing comic relief and absurdity.

Robert Helpmann as the Child Catcher is a masterclass in nightmare fuel. With his grotesque makeup, oily voice, and sinister movements, he is one of the most memorable and haunting children’s villains ever put to screen—a genuinely scary character in an otherwise lighthearted film.

Music and Songs

The Sherman Brothers, fresh off the success of Mary Poppins, provided a bouncy, melodic, and whimsical score. The songs may not have the thematic sophistication of The Sound of Music or the cultural staying power of Mary Poppins, but they are irresistibly catchy and full of heart.

Highlights include:

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” – The title song is instantly memorable and infectious, performed repeatedly in different musical styles throughout the film.

“Truly Scrumptious” – A gentle lullaby that showcases the sweetness of Truly’s character and the growing familial bond.

“Toot Sweets” – A toe-tapping, elaborately staged number set in a candy factory, featuring a delightful horn and dance sequence.

“Me Ol’ Bamboo” – One of the most energetic numbers, performed by Van Dyke with superb choreography reminiscent of classic music hall routines.

“Hushabye Mountain” – A soft, melancholic lullaby that serves as the film’s emotional centrepiece. Van Dyke delivers it with sincere tenderness.

While not every song is essential to the plot, they all serve to enhance the film’s whimsical tone and give it a distinct identity.

Visuals and Production Design

The film is a visual delight. The Edwardian costumes, candy-coloured sets, and lavish fantasy sequences bring the storybook world to life. Filmed partly in Bavaria and at Pinewood Studios, the locations and set pieces are elaborate and immersive.

The car itself is the true star: a gorgeously designed, steampunk-esque vehicle that looks both vintage and futuristic. Its transformations—sprouting wings and flotation devices—are a marvel of practical effects and model work for the time.

Ken Adam, the famed production designer behind many James Bond films, crafted a surreal and exaggerated look for Vulgaria, giving it the feel of a grotesque fairy tale kingdom, complete with exaggerated Gothic towers and toy-like military uniforms.

The special effects, while primitive by modern standards, were impressive for their day and hold up in a charmingly analog way. The flying car sequences use miniatures and blue screen effects that retain their magic because of their earnestness.

Tone and Pacing

This is where Chitty Chitty Bang Bang occasionally falters. The film clocks in at nearly 2.5 hours, which feels excessive for a children’s movie. The pacing, particularly in the first half, is leisurely—bordering on sluggish—before the fantasy adventure truly begins.

There is a distinct tonal shift halfway through the film when the story moves from English pastoral life into the dark, Germanic fantasy world of Vulgaria. The sudden introduction of the Child Catcher and the themes of tyranny and child imprisonment can be jarring, especially for very young viewers. While this adds dramatic tension, it feels at odds with the earlier scenes of whimsical inventing and musical cheer.

Still, these shifts are part of what gives the film its unique identity. It’s a movie that embraces absurdity, sentimentality, and menace in equal measure, not unlike Roald Dahl’s other works (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory shares much of this DNA).

Themes

Imagination and Storytelling: Much of the film’s second half unfolds as a story told by Caractacus to his children, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. It celebrates the power of storytelling to inspire, protect, and bond families.

Individuality and Invention: Caractacus Potts represents the misunderstood genius archetype—the value of creativity and persistence even when society mocks or dismisses it.

Family and Love: At its core, this is a story about a widowed father trying to provide for and protect his children, finding new love and purpose along the way.

Resistance to Tyranny: The subplot in Vulgaria—children being outlawed, a populace in fear, an underground resistance—can be read as an allegorical warning against authoritarianism, delivered with a child’s sense of logic and justice.

Legacy

Though not an immediate critical darling, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang became a box office success and a beloved classic over time. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and continues to enjoy frequent TV broadcasts and stage adaptations.

Its legacy lives on through generations who grew up with it, and through the iconic imagery of the flying car, the catchy songs, and the chilling figure of the Child Catcher. It has also entered the broader cultural lexicon, often referenced in British pop culture and children’s programming.

Final Verdict

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a whimsical, imaginative, and musically rich family film that overcomes its pacing issues with charm, spectacle, and heart. Though uneven in places and occasionally veering into unsettling territory, its sincerity, inventive visuals, and unforgettable songs make it a magical ride worth taking.

It’s not a perfect film, but like its titular car, it sputters to life with delight and wonder—taking audiences on a fantastical journey that lingers long after the credits roll.