Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Movie review by Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

A fantastical car story custom-made for kids.

G 1968 144 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 25 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 25 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that while there are scenes in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in which the Potts family members and others are in jeopardy, there are fantasy sequences filled with comic pratfalls, exaggerated action (Grandpa, in his outhouse-like hideaway carried away by a zeppelin; a baroness shot into the sky and retrieved by canon shots letting the air out of her billowing skirt), and arch clown-like villains with twirling mustaches, and one even wielding a hook. Only the very youngest or most apprehensive children may find the images scary; other kids will understand the intent and likely find it funny. There is an entire kingdom made up of buffoonish Germanic stereotypes who are more bumbling than menacing.

Community Reviews

Alicia D.
Alicia D. Adult
February 13, 2021
age 8+

Not a Dynamic Film

Seeing that Dick Van Dyke is one of the main characters, I was expecting a dynamic film similar to Mary Poppins. I was a little disappointed that the music fell flat and the story had some strange scenes that didn't really add to the main plotline. The main review page mentions a kiss between the two main characters as the only "sexy stuff" in the movie. But there is a scene in Act Two between the Baron and Baroness where she is only wearing a corset and pantyhose and the Baron is trying to kill her by various means throughout the song. My 3yo child became scared several times throughout the film during suspenseful moments.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
tuisiong
tuisiong Adult
December 18, 2022
age 6+

Vintage Family Gem

If you're expecting a "Mary Poppins" experience, this isn't it. It's not as polished or catchy. Described as "if Mary Poppins and 007 had a love child it would be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and at times during the movie you get a sense of that. As a child, I watched this several times as a child and wanted my kids to enjoy the whimsical, fantastical automobile adventure. The opening scene was enthralling for my kids to see the crazy and death-defying shenanigans of yesteryear automobile racing. Dick Van Dyke does his predictable yet loveable jigs and playful dances beside his beautiful lady counterpart (Sally Ann Howes). The children (Adrian Hall and Heather Ripley) are adorable, with old-world charm and innocence. Two scene caveats though, #1- There is a scene where the Baroness is dressed in a corset and the Baron is trying to kill her using booby traps. It was one of those "hang-on... is this a family movie?" moments (perhaps it's one of those times when the minds of Ian Fleming (writer) and Roald Dahl (screenwriter) didn't quite mesh so well). #2- the long-nosed Childcatcher (Robert Helpmann) was a little too scary for my 5 yo girl (who doesn't like suspense). However, that is the intention of the character and young kids are not meant to like him. Overall, it is a "family movie" for the whole family. If you haven't seen this vintage gem yet, book it for your next family movie night. It's good for children to see talented, real (i.e. not CGI) actors/actresses who can sing, dance and act. I'm happy this classic had the same effect on me decades ago as it did on my kids today. They were talking about the movie and even singing some of the catchier songs one week ( Chitty Chitty Bang Band theme song, "Me Ol' Bamboo", "Music Box Dance", "Toot Sweets", "Truly Scrumptious"). At almost 2hours and 30mins, press "play" earlier rather than later in the evening.
See all 25 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based loosely on the novel by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, the fantasy-musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG gets rolling when Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), an eccentric inventor with barely enough money to keep a roof over his two kids' heads, buys a beat-up motorcar for them and transforms it into a dream machine that can fly, float, and, it seems, even think for itself. A day at the seashore with the car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang spawns an elaborate adventure in Vulgaria as the Potts clan and candy heiress Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) try to rescue Grandpa Potts from his kidnappers, Baron and Baroness Bomburst. On the adventure, an exceedingly creepy child catcher entices the young Jeremy and Jemima Potts with lollipops, Caractacus and Truly pose as life-size dolls at the Baron's birthday party, and the country's imprisoned children stage a revolt.

Is It Any Good?

It's not a perfectly cut film, but it's the stuff of children's wildest fantasies. After writing the music for the extraordinary Mary Poppins, brothers Richard and Robert Sherman wrote the music for this film (their first non-Disney musical). Roald Dahl, author of many children's stories including James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was co-writer of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which blends fantasy and adventure in a whimsical movie musical that has been captivating children for decades.

Although the songs aren't quite as memorable as in Mary Poppins, the story may leave even more of an impression on kids than the Disney hallmark and excite them to a greater degree. Young viewers may drift to sleep after the climax, as the love story between Caractacus and Truly concludes, but they'll have a feast of visions to dream of for years to come. For DVD extras that really add value, get the Special Edition, which was made with Van Dyke's involvement and includes interviews, games, and many other fun features.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about which part of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang "really happened" and which was make believe.

  • What would you do with a car like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? What kinds of things would you like to invent?

  • For older kids: Why were the people of Vulgaria depicted as fools? How do real-life political events affect movies? Can you imagine looking back at today's movies and recognizing how politics influenced them?

  • How do the characters in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang demonstrate curiosity and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?

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