WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Genre:Family

Reviewed In Issue 03 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Gert Frobe, Anna Quayle.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML102429
(MPAA Rating): G
(Retail Price): $39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 147
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1968
(LD Release Date): 1/93
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Ken Hughes
(Screenplay/Written By): Roald Dahl & Ken Hughes
(Story): NA
(Music): Richard M & Robert B. Sherman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Ken Adam
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): John Shirley
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Albert R. Broccoli

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.21:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.25:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Mag Stereo & 70mm 6 Track Mag Stereo
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
This family classic and enchanting fantasy is based on the novel by Ian Fleming. James Bond producer Albert Broccoli whisks us into a world of an evil child-kidnapping Baron and his castle kingdom. With Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious and a magical car that floats and flys, this amusing, light-hearted tale will delight the entire family.

LaserDisc Picture:
The 65mm film to video transfer is matted to a 2.25:1 aspect ratio. The color is Technicolor® which makes for consistently beautiful images. Occasionally video noise is apparent, but overall the picture is sharp and captivating in the best sense.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
While there are numerous musical passages including the Oscar®-nominated theme song, the sound lacks the fidelity to really make this edition blossom. With the exception of the music the sound is virtually mono.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: