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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Play trailer Poster for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang G 1968 2h 25m Kids & Family Musical Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
While truant from school, young siblings Jeremy and Jemima meet the beautiful Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), who falls for their widowed father, Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), and his various oddball inventions, including the family's noisy rebuilt car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. One day at the beach, Caractacus tells Truly and the children a fanciful fable about the villainous Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe) and his evil designs on the Potts family car.
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Critics Reviews

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Tom Milne Time Out Ken Adam's sets are inventive, but the special effects are shoddy, the songs instantly forgettable, and the leisurely length an exquisite torture. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Renata Adler New York Times A fast, dense, friendly children's musical, with something of the joys of singing together on a team bus on the way to a game. May 9, 2005 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Chitty Chitty Bang Bang contains about the best two-hour children's movie you could hope for, with a marvelous magical auto and lots of adventure and a nutty old grandpa and a mean Baron and some funny dances and a couple of [scary] moments. Rated: 3/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …casting Van Dyke helps diffuse the Britishness of the whole enterprise, but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is an ideal vehicle for him, and for everyone keen to connect with their own innocent youth… Rated: 3/5 Jul 5, 2023 Full Review Judy Ludlum Pittsburgh Post-Gazette This is a good one to take the kiddies to before the holidays end. Mom and Pop will find it tolerable and that's all. Mar 3, 2022 Full Review Penelope Houston The Spectator Ken Hughes directs in the resolutely bright over- exclamatory tones of someone working hard to make the party go. Jul 5, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R Watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the first time was a surprisingly delightful experience, and it’s easy to see why this film has endured as a family classic. Dick Van Dyke’s performance is absolutely golden—his charm, comedic timing, and energy make him magnetic on screen. From the moment he appears, you can see why he was such a prolific actor in his day. The film combines whimsy, creativity, and classic family fun, with a story that is both heartwarming and adventurous. The imaginative world-building alone is enough to captivate viewers of all ages, making it a cinematic experience that feels timeless. The first and second acts are incredibly well-executed, establishing the chemistry between the characters and setting up the quirky yet compelling plot. The relationship between the mechanically inventive protagonist and the snotty lady is developed with subtle humor and charm, which creates an engaging dynamic that draws you into their story. The music is a standout element, not just in the catchy numbers but in how it enriches the storytelling, blending seamlessly with the narrative and character development. You genuinely feel the excitement and creativity of the world they inhabit. The children in the film are equally impressive, bringing authenticity and charm to their roles. Their performances are not only endearing but also well-rounded, helping to elevate the emotional stakes of the story. You genuinely root for them as they navigate the challenges they face, and the film does an excellent job of balancing moments of tension with lighthearted fun. The stakes feel real without ever tipping into darkness, keeping it appropriate for a family audience while still being genuinely engaging. The third act does take a turn that feels slightly jumbled compared to the more straightforward narrative of the first half of the film. The kidnapping plot and interactions with the eccentric king and queen introduce more chaos and adventure, diverging from the central relationship and mechanical creativity that initially drove the story. While this shift might not appeal to everyone, it still maintains the film’s charm and provides opportunities for inventive set pieces and musical numbers. It’s a creative choice that, while slightly disjointed, adds to the whimsical and unpredictable nature of the film. One of the most remarkable aspects of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is its practical creativity. In an era before CGI dominated filmmaking, the movie relies on imaginative set designs, costumes, and practical effects to bring its fantastical world to life. From the flying car itself to the various whimsical locations, everything is crafted with care and attention to detail. This gives the film a tactile, almost magical quality that modern productions often struggle to achieve. The music, visuals, and performances work in harmony to create an experience that feels both nostalgic and timeless. Overall, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a cinematic gem that combines humor, creativity, and heart in a way that modern family films rarely capture. It’s an immersive experience, filled with memorable characters, inventive storytelling, and musical numbers that linger long after the credits roll. While the third act may feel slightly offbeat, the overall film is incredibly fun, visually enchanting, and emotionally satisfying. It’s a timeless family classic that deserves to be shared across generations, not just for its entertainment value, but for its masterful demonstration of practical filmmaking and world-building at its finest. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/18/25 Full Review Matthew S This was a children's movie in 1968. The songs brings back wonderful memories for my wife and I. Special efforts were limited to technology of the time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Blobbo X Musical have forgetable music! (If saw as kid might like.) Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/26/25 Full Review Will G Still love this film. Escapism pure and simply, for all ages. some reviewers 'notice' hidden messages in this film. It's just how their minds work. Shame on them. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 2 hours and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love when they're singing about their car and playing on the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/14/25 Full Review Joey G This is a VERY boring movie. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - The Child Catcher Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - The Child Catcher 3:17 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Me Ol' Bam-Boo Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Me Ol' Bam-Boo 3:31 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - You Two Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - You Two 3:30 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Truly Scrumptious Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Truly Scrumptious 3:50 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Toot Sweets Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Toot Sweets 3:57 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chitty Gets Airborne Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chitty Gets Airborne 3:49 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Hushabye Mountain Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Hushabye Mountain 3:08 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chu-Chi Face Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chu-Chi Face 2:51 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Official Clip - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1:31 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis While truant from school, young siblings Jeremy and Jemima meet the beautiful Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), who falls for their widowed father, Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), and his various oddball inventions, including the family's noisy rebuilt car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. One day at the beach, Caractacus tells Truly and the children a fanciful fable about the villainous Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe) and his evil designs on the Potts family car.
Director
Ken Hughes
Producer
Albert R. Broccoli
Screenwriter
Roald Dahl, Ken Hughes
Distributor
United Artists, Time-Life Video, Fox, MGM Home Entertainment, CBS/Fox
Production Co
Warfield, Dramatic Films
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Musical, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 18, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 12, 2017
Runtime
2h 25m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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