Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

89% of critics liked it
(36 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(802,207 ratings)

Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy, perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) stages a contest by hiding… More Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy, perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather (Jack Albertson). In the course of the tour, Willy Wonka punishes the four nastier children in various diabolical methods -- one kid is inflated and covered with blueberry dye, another ends up as a principal ingredient of the chocolate, and so on -- because these kids have violated the ethics of Wonka's factory. In the end, only Charlie and his grandfather are left. Ostensibly set in England, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was lensed in Germany (as revealed by the film's final overhead shot). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Mel Stuart
Written By: Roald Dahl
Genres: Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 30, 1971 Limited
On DVD: Aug 28, 2001
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, GreenCine
It's Gene Wilder, at the top of his form, who makes this uneasy amalgam work, but [Mel] Stuart must surely deserve some of the credit...
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
A polarizing, but classic piece of children's entertainment filled with whimsy, horror, comedy and imagination.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
When the movie does actually reach the factory, and Gene Wilder takes the stage, the movie is saved.
Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
... that rare breed: an imaginative live-action kid's film that engages and delights adults.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Starring Gene Wilder, this offbeat comedy-fantasy for children has achieved a status in pop culture
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
This is Gene Wilder's legacy. He was perfect for the role, and it was his mixture of childlike wonder and bitter, deserved vengeance that made the character so compelling.
Ed Grant, Common Sense Media
Pure, sweet imagination for both kids and adults.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
The Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Blu-ray is a charming presentation of an overrated childhood benchmark.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
The passages in the mysterious factory, which should be Charlie's and our release from the oppression of the earlier scenes, are just as ugly as everything that's come before, so there's no contrast.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Who can deny that the film's overall intention is positive, playful fun. The film is a joy. (40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition, Blu-ray)
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
It's all wonderfully colorful and imaginative, and filled with a multitude of references and jokes that will be understood only by adults.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...filled with good humor, good acting, and good songs...and it's just off kilter enough to keep everyone's attention.
, Time Out
Great fun, with Wilder for once giving an impeccably controlled performance as the factory's bizarre owner.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Ainda que um ou outro número musical comprometa o ritmo, o clima de fantasia e a atuação calorosa de Wilder conquistam o espectador.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Aspires to the whimsy and fantasy of The Wizard of Oz but doesn't really capture the magic… more a fond tribute to 'pure imagination' than a triumph of it.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

An eccentric chocolatier lures children into his hallucinogenic candy factory, where he arranges for them to meet gruesome, ironic deaths. Early torture porn, in a crunchy candy shell, with great tunes sung by the orange-faced dwarf refugee race Wonka has enslaved.
Directors C

It's not as magical as I remember it and although it has some plot flaws that dont really work it has an unusual unique screen presence.
Eric A

Classic, watching this makes me feel nostalgic because it reminds me of being a kid.
Adam K

Although Tim Burton' 2005 box office smash stayed truer to the book and had great stars in it, this edition is by far better! The score is incredible and the acting very good. Mel Stuart who is more a TV director did a very good job with this. First timer Peter Ostrum delivered a… More
Although Tim Burton' 2005 box office smash stayed truer to the book and had great stars in it, this edition is by far better! The score is incredible and the acting very good. Mel Stuart who is more a TV director did a very good job with this. First timer Peter Ostrum delivered a great performance as Charlie and Grandpa Joe was good as well. With great songs and moments of great humour the film also has a dark side, scenes where Wonka appears to go crazy and the wonderful things round his factory. The cut scenes during the build up to the ticket finders around the world add a certain charm to it. THe screenplay was actually written by Roalh Doahl which some people find odd, since he wrote the book. As a motion picture it is great, as a family fun entertainment it is outstanding. *** 3 Star
Alexander D

Fantastic
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
Brad W

A childhood classic, truly a wonderment
Conner R

How can anyone not love and adore this classic? It's a great rendition of one of the greatest children's novels of all time. Gene Wilder somehow manages to play Willy Wonka in a way that doesn't scream child predator, just completely crazy for chocolate. The excessive… More
How can anyone not love and adore this classic? It's a great rendition of one of the greatest children's novels of all time. Gene Wilder somehow manages to play Willy Wonka in a way that doesn't scream child predator, just completely crazy for chocolate. The excessive amounts of pecks are frightening and effective at the same time. I love all the sets and it's a complete masterpiece in terms of storytelling and characterization. When it comes to mildly disturbing family movies, few compete with this.
Jay H

A true American classic, Tim Burton's 2005 remake can't hold a candle to this original.
AJ V

I loved this movie as a kid, and I still love it. The movie is both hilarious and extremely fun. Plus, the songs are catchy and cute. This is one of my favourite movies.
Jennifer D

Fabulous. Insane color and all. AC rating: The audio commentary I listened to was of the five kids in this film. The idea of it was incredibly intriguing. Not all their names are listed over to the left, but oh well. What was interesting to hear was all of their POVs as kids. What… More
Fabulous. Insane color and all. AC rating: The audio commentary I listened to was of the five kids in this film. The idea of it was incredibly intriguing. Not all their names are listed over to the left, but oh well. What was interesting to hear was all of their POVs as kids. What they remembered and how. Interesting, just not as much with production aspect.
Michael E

this is truly one of the most magical and wonderful films ever made. It has everything that makes a children classic such as wizard of oz. Gene Wilder was a perfect choice for Willy not like Johnny Depp in The Tim Burton remake. I love how the moral of the story is don't be… More
this is truly one of the most magical and wonderful films ever made. It has everything that makes a children classic such as wizard of oz. Gene Wilder was a perfect choice for Willy not like Johnny Depp in The Tim Burton remake. I love how the moral of the story is don't be greedy but it doesn't come out and preach it your to busy having a good time looking at everything and being entertained by everything.
Bently L

The film is sweet and delicious as the candy Willy Wonka makes. "Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple." Follow this link for a funny parody of the film:… More
The film is sweet and delicious as the candy Willy Wonka makes. "Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple." Follow this link for a funny parody of the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsE0UOz1uw4&feature=related
Richard C

B
Dean M

Most excellent works in the arts are seen and enjoyed at a variety of "levels." That is true of this classic movie in general and of Gene Wilder in specific. Gene Wilder is a comedic genius who will forever be the timeless Willy Wonka. He played it so well and made it look… More
Most excellent works in the arts are seen and enjoyed at a variety of "levels." That is true of this classic movie in general and of Gene Wilder in specific. Gene Wilder is a comedic genius who will forever be the timeless Willy Wonka. He played it so well and made it look so easy. All the kids were amazing as well, I mean the boy who played Charlie was so adorable and you felt so awful for him. You just wished for his deepest wishes to come true. The sets are also just fantastic and so yummy to look at. On of my favorite scenes was with the "inventing room", all the amazing gizzmo's.
Lenny M

Man I want to get all up in that Chocolate river, like serious train action.
KJ P

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a classic, there should be more movies like this one!
Film C

i love this classic childrens movie always brilliant to watch gene wilder is awesome and really good in this movie!
danny d

i want a golden ticket so i can punch that little rich girl in the face. overall a fun family film full of life and creativity.
Anthony L

'Snosberry, whose ever heard of a snosberry'? The first and best version of the story. The cast is brilliant with some tremendous performances.