Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Director: Mel Stuart
Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson, Paris Themmen, Michael Bollner, Roy Kinnear, Leonard Stone, Nora Denney, Diana Sowle, David Battley, Peter Capell, Gunter Meisner, Ursula Reitt
Based on the beloved children’s story by Roald Dahl, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is a magical tale steeped in pure imagination. More than anything in the world, Charlie Bucket, an impecunious but honest paperboy, yearns to get the chance to set foot in cryptic chocolatier Willy Wonka's mysterious confectionery factory. Then, unexpectedly, the world's greatest candy-maker announces a worldwide contest: whoever comes up with one of out of five rare golden passes hidden in his famous and delectable Wonka Bars, will win a free tour of the factory, and a lifetime supply of chocolate. Miraculously, Charlie finds the fifth ticket, and, alongside with his beloved Grandpa Joe, and four other winning kids with their guardians, enter the gates of the reclusive candy mogul's plant, to witness firsthand the wonders of chocolate-making. Indeed, this is a dream come true; however, only one visitor gets to win the grand prize. Will Charlie pass Willy's decisive final test?
One of the most important things to note about this film is that the children’s journey through Wonka’s factory is more than just a whimsical adventure; in truth, they are all being tested.
There are little moments that are woven throughout the story that test Charlie's inherent good character, even before he enters Wonka’s factory. Charlie gets his first wages from his job, and rather than spending this bit of money selfishly, to buy himself candy, Charlie buys his family bread, so the family won’t go hungry with their humble dinner of cabbage. He gives his mother most of his remaining wages, and promises that he will now purchase his Grandfather's pipe tobacco, with his new income, as well. When Charlie gets his chance to get a golden ticket with his birthday chocolate, he is disappointed when there is no golden ticket waiting within the wrapper, but he generously shares the candy with his family anyway. When Charlie gets another chance at getting a golden ticket with the money he finds in the sewer, this time, Charlie finds the real golden ticket when he opens his chocolate bar. When we see "Slugworth" talking to Charlie, he tells Charlie that if Charlie will use this opportunity to bring him one of Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers, Slugworth will give Charlie enough money to ensure that his mother and his grandparents could live in comfort for the rest of their lives. But when it came down to it...even when Wonka told Charlie that he lost the prize, and Grandpa Joe was telling Charlie to give Slugworth the Gobstopper… Charlie, instead, chooses to return the candy to Wonka....and in doing so, proved that he was worthy of Wonka's trust in Charlie inheriting Wonka's factory.
One of the most important things to note about this film is that the children’s journey through Wonka’s factory is more than just a whimsical adventure. In truth, they are all being tested.
If you notice, every time one of the children “disappeared” within the factory, that room was designed especially for them: Augustus vanished in the candy room, after succumbing to his greed in the chocolate river. Violet exploded into a blueberry when she disregarded Wonka’s half-hearted warning not to eat his unique chewing gum. Veruca disappears down the garbage chute because she desired the golden goose and the machine dubbed Veruca and her father both bad eggs. Mike vanishes when the tour visits the television room after he tries to literally become a T.V. character. Each of them was tested and each of them inevitably failed. And notice, when Wonka summons a mode of transportation to carry them deeper into his factory, there are only just enough seats for those left behind after each child is taken.
Of all the challenges seen in the factory though, Charlie’s test is by far the most important because Wonka wasn't testing Charlie’s greed (as was the case with the other children) but his inherent goodness. We have already established that Charlie is a selfless and humble character; one who is willing to do anything to save his family. While the other children saw the golden tickets as a means of fulfilling their own, selfish desires, Charlie sees his golden ticket as a catalyst which would give his family a chance at a better life. When he and Grandpa Joe reach the end of their journey, Charlie believes, for one happy moment, that he has won Wonka’s grand prize. That moment of joy is soon shattered when Wonka informs Charlie that rather than winning, he gets nothing. Charlie had absolutely nothing to lose, at this point, by listening to his Grandpa Joe and taking the Gobstopper to "Slugworth" because Slugworth offered Charlie what he most desperately wanted - a way to save his family from the unforgiving grip of poverty. By choosing to give the Gobstopper back to Wonka, instead of breaking his promise to keep the Gobstopper a secret, Charlie proved his true worth; that he could be trusted with Wonka's most precious secrets because his heart was indeed pure.
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is a classic tale of magic, dreams, and pure imagination. The casting is absolutely flawless, particularly for Gene Wilder who brings to life the eccentric candy king, Willy Wonka, the songs are timeless, and the story is one that both children and adults can fall in love with. If you enjoy a good fantasy musical, then “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is one I would recommend.
© 2024 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Mel Stuart
Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson, Paris Themmen, Michael Bollner, Roy Kinnear, Leonard Stone, Nora Denney, Diana Sowle, David Battley, Peter Capell, Gunter Meisner, Ursula Reitt
Based on the beloved children’s story by Roald Dahl, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is a magical tale steeped in pure imagination. More than anything in the world, Charlie Bucket, an impecunious but honest paperboy, yearns to get the chance to set foot in cryptic chocolatier Willy Wonka's mysterious confectionery factory. Then, unexpectedly, the world's greatest candy-maker announces a worldwide contest: whoever comes up with one of out of five rare golden passes hidden in his famous and delectable Wonka Bars, will win a free tour of the factory, and a lifetime supply of chocolate. Miraculously, Charlie finds the fifth ticket, and, alongside with his beloved Grandpa Joe, and four other winning kids with their guardians, enter the gates of the reclusive candy mogul's plant, to witness firsthand the wonders of chocolate-making. Indeed, this is a dream come true; however, only one visitor gets to win the grand prize. Will Charlie pass Willy's decisive final test?
One of the most important things to note about this film is that the children’s journey through Wonka’s factory is more than just a whimsical adventure; in truth, they are all being tested.
There are little moments that are woven throughout the story that test Charlie's inherent good character, even before he enters Wonka’s factory. Charlie gets his first wages from his job, and rather than spending this bit of money selfishly, to buy himself candy, Charlie buys his family bread, so the family won’t go hungry with their humble dinner of cabbage. He gives his mother most of his remaining wages, and promises that he will now purchase his Grandfather's pipe tobacco, with his new income, as well. When Charlie gets his chance to get a golden ticket with his birthday chocolate, he is disappointed when there is no golden ticket waiting within the wrapper, but he generously shares the candy with his family anyway. When Charlie gets another chance at getting a golden ticket with the money he finds in the sewer, this time, Charlie finds the real golden ticket when he opens his chocolate bar. When we see "Slugworth" talking to Charlie, he tells Charlie that if Charlie will use this opportunity to bring him one of Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers, Slugworth will give Charlie enough money to ensure that his mother and his grandparents could live in comfort for the rest of their lives. But when it came down to it...even when Wonka told Charlie that he lost the prize, and Grandpa Joe was telling Charlie to give Slugworth the Gobstopper… Charlie, instead, chooses to return the candy to Wonka....and in doing so, proved that he was worthy of Wonka's trust in Charlie inheriting Wonka's factory.
One of the most important things to note about this film is that the children’s journey through Wonka’s factory is more than just a whimsical adventure. In truth, they are all being tested.
If you notice, every time one of the children “disappeared” within the factory, that room was designed especially for them: Augustus vanished in the candy room, after succumbing to his greed in the chocolate river. Violet exploded into a blueberry when she disregarded Wonka’s half-hearted warning not to eat his unique chewing gum. Veruca disappears down the garbage chute because she desired the golden goose and the machine dubbed Veruca and her father both bad eggs. Mike vanishes when the tour visits the television room after he tries to literally become a T.V. character. Each of them was tested and each of them inevitably failed. And notice, when Wonka summons a mode of transportation to carry them deeper into his factory, there are only just enough seats for those left behind after each child is taken.
Of all the challenges seen in the factory though, Charlie’s test is by far the most important because Wonka wasn't testing Charlie’s greed (as was the case with the other children) but his inherent goodness. We have already established that Charlie is a selfless and humble character; one who is willing to do anything to save his family. While the other children saw the golden tickets as a means of fulfilling their own, selfish desires, Charlie sees his golden ticket as a catalyst which would give his family a chance at a better life. When he and Grandpa Joe reach the end of their journey, Charlie believes, for one happy moment, that he has won Wonka’s grand prize. That moment of joy is soon shattered when Wonka informs Charlie that rather than winning, he gets nothing. Charlie had absolutely nothing to lose, at this point, by listening to his Grandpa Joe and taking the Gobstopper to "Slugworth" because Slugworth offered Charlie what he most desperately wanted - a way to save his family from the unforgiving grip of poverty. By choosing to give the Gobstopper back to Wonka, instead of breaking his promise to keep the Gobstopper a secret, Charlie proved his true worth; that he could be trusted with Wonka's most precious secrets because his heart was indeed pure.
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is a classic tale of magic, dreams, and pure imagination. The casting is absolutely flawless, particularly for Gene Wilder who brings to life the eccentric candy king, Willy Wonka, the songs are timeless, and the story is one that both children and adults can fall in love with. If you enjoy a good fantasy musical, then “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is one I would recommend.
© 2024 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.