Thursday, March 4, 2010

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory


I'm reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the boys in school right now. We're enjoying it a lot, however, the boys think they need to eat chocolate whenever I read a few chapters. When we're done with the book, we're going to watch the movie. I'm not sure if we'll watch the 1971 version with Gene Wilder or the 2005 version with Johnny Depp. Maybe we'll watch both. I have only seen the older version, having grown up in the 70s, but the boys have watched the newer one too.

Books always vary from movies, and from what I've read, there are many discrepancies in both versions of the films. However, it is interesting to read that the 1971 version had a budget of $3M, but only brought in $4M and was considered a box-office flop. The 2005 version had a budget of $150M and grossed $470M in return. That doesn't surprise me, since there are obviously more people seeing movies now, things cost way more, and plus Johnny draws a huge crowd all by himself.

What a book! It features everything a good book should have -- adventure, unforgettable characters, discovery, suspense, danger, humor, and of course, candy. Imagine writing a book so good that not only is it made into a movie, but they make TWO of them. It's definitely a classic in children's lit.

Which is your favorite -- the book, the 1971 film, or the 2005 film?

16 comments:

  1. I've never read the book,but after reading your review,I want to get it for my boys. I've seen the 1971 version,but I didn't care for it. The new version is quite a movie,with some downright "quirky" (to quote the back cover)parts in it. I really like Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willie Wonka,though I found it a little androgynous.

    Leanne

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  2. Too bad the book isn't made of chocoalte, you could eat each page you read! I have to admit I like the newer version of the movie and probably all because of Johnny Depp.

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  3. This was a movie my son and I would watch every year (when he was younger)...I've not seen the newer version...I love old movies so I tend to avoid the remakes...Hugs...

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  4. It's the book!Have not seen the movies. Roald Dahl rocks in this with so much adventure and other elements. I'm his fan too.

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  5. That's a great readaloud. I always read it to my third grade class when I was a teacher.
    I love both movies, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the first one out of nostalgia.
    Watch both!

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  6. I liked the Gene Wilder version the best - even though I love Johnny Depp.

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  7. We have the Johnny Depp movie on dvd and have seen it so many times I've forgotten what the Gene Wilder one was like. Will have to read the book!

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  8. The Gene Wilder version is my favorite, Johnny Depp does a nice job but it can’t hold a candle to childhood memories, I don’t think I have ever read the book so I can’t add my 2 cense about what version is closer

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  9. I agree, it's a great book to read. My mistake was watching the movie first, instead of reading it first..My son loves this story..

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  10. I loved this book as a kid. I re-read it as an adult and still found it to be charming. I can't wait until our girls are old enough to read it/read it along with us.

    As for the films, they both stand on their own. I would show the boys both, first with the 1971 version, then the 2005 version. Gene Wilder did such a fantastic job with the character of Willy Wonka that no one can replicate. Which is NOT what Johnny Depp set out to do; instead he made the character his own, and I applaud him for it.

    Will you be reading any other Roald Dahl books? I have to say, I also loved The Twits and The Witches (the movie wasn't half-bad, either).

    Gale

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  11. I like them in the order you posted--book, old movie, new movie (icked me out, actually).

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  12. I tried watching the new version of the movie but really didn't feel that it was as good as the original. I've not read the book, guess I should have by now - lol. Still waiting for Rena to add a subscribe by email box to her blog - lol.

    Good posting, Rena. See you in the postings - E :)

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  13. The book is always better than the movie. And I liked the original movie better than the Johnny Depp remake (for the most part -- there were things I liked in the new version).

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  14. I love the original 1971 version, Gene Wilder was great. The snozberries taste like snozberries! LOL! The one with Johnny Depp was funny too, he definitely put his own twist on it. I've never read the book sadly, guess I should do that sometime.

    Nancy

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  15. OK, if I am honest I may be asked to leave this blog and never return.... I didn't really like the book or the 1971 version of the movie and I haven't seen the Johnny Depp version. Saying this, I am hoping to not pass along my feelings to my kids and when they are old enough, to read the book with them. I can't even say why I didn't like the book and movie - there isn't anything specific I can say except that it just wasn't a good read for me. (Might have had something to do with the fact that it was thrown in between reading Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prarie... who knows?)

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  16. Tracy, I don't think your honesty will get you kicked off the blog. We all have different tastes in books as well as movies. Of course, you can't go wrong with Little House series or the Nancy Drew Mysteries either. I like mixing it up a bit (but prefer not to read romances or vampire books). I've reserved a copy of Charlie and the Choclate Factory so I can decide if I like the book. My son, who is 24, really loves the old movies and things like that. When he first saw The Wizard of Oz, he proclaimed that he loved Glenda the Good Witch, go figure lol. He's seen both versions of the movie and likes them both. Said that the Johnny Depp movie was probably closer to the book but that you couldn't go wrong with a good role for Gene Wilder. My child is weird, what can I say.

    Rena, don't kick Tracy off for being honest - E :)

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