After several years of thinking that the remake was superior I watching this original version again recently.
I was amazed at how well it holds up, all these years later. While not truly faithful to the original source text this film is full of charm, heart and features some fun songs.
At the centre of its success though is the fab performance given by Gene Wilder. He shows Johnny Depp how Wonka should be played, with just enough oddness and darkness to counter the 'candy man' persona.
All five of the children give great performances and ultimately it is the combination of all these things that for me mean that this is the version I will remember.
I was amazed at how well it holds up, all these years later. While not truly faithful to the original source text this film is full of charm, heart and features some fun songs.
At the centre of its success though is the fab performance given by Gene Wilder. He shows Johnny Depp how Wonka should be played, with just enough oddness and darkness to counter the 'candy man' persona.
All five of the children give great performances and ultimately it is the combination of all these things that for me mean that this is the version I will remember.