A poor boy full of optimism wins one of five coveted golden tickets to go on a tour of the magical and mysterious tour of the factory of the world's greatest confectioner, Willy Wonka.
All outward appearances point to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory being no more than a silly, family friendly musical about kids in a candy factory, but one should never jump to conclusions. Willy Wonka is in fact a dark comedy in disguise, with a screenplay by Roald Dahl (Fantastic Mr. Fox) that stays rather true to his book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The story follows the eccentric and enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, played exceptionally by Gene Wilder, who holds a contest by hiding five golden tickets in his delectable Wonka chocolate bars, the prize being a chance to tour his chocolate factory. The children who win are all obnoxious brats, except the kindhearted Charlie (Peter Ostrum), a poor kid whose first break in life, it seems, is finding this winning ticket. But for viewers, we don’t even know for sure if we should like Charlie, because he’s been approached by a competitor of Wonka and asked to steal a new candy from the factory.
Wonka himself is odd, and during the factory tour, the children all touring with their parents, save for Charlie who has brought his grandfather along, he punishes each child as they break the rules of his factory. One child falls into the chocolate river and is sucked up a tube, another is turned into a giant blueberry that must be juiced. At least it seems that Wonka has punished them, he more just stands by and allows things to happen.
Perhaps there is a moral to Dahl’s story, “children shouldn’t misbehave,” but Dahl’s tales are always more complex than what first meets the eye. Whatever the case is, this version of Dahl’s story is superior to the more modernized version with the original name (the name of this one was changed at the behest of Quaker Oats who sponsored the film and were launching a new chocolate bar, the “Wonka”). Despite Johnny Depp’s best efforts, he just came across as a creepy pedophile. Maybe it’s the memorable songs in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory coupled with Wilder’s reserved performance that make it much more palatable.
Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory 4K Ultra HD Combo (Warner Bros.)
The Video
This new 4K restoration of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray framed at the originally intended 1.85:1 aspect ratio (the film was shot at 1.66:1 and intended for 1.85:1) with an HEVC 2160p HDR10 encodement. Despite being mastered on a monitor with maximum of 4000 nits, the MaxLL on this release is 3112 nits and the MaxFALL is still only 252 nits, so it isn’t necessarily much brighter than the previously available, 40th Anniversary Blu-ray, which is included with this set, but it is an improvement. The detail and film grain are much crisper, the depth of field is more extended, and colors are more vibrant. The HDR does offer some more ‘pop’ in the colors and some of the highlights like the shimmer on the chocolate river or lights in Charlie’s home, but nothing blinding or gimmicky. In comparison to the previous Blu-ray edition, however, everything on this 4K disc looks much clearer and more realistic with a bit less film softness.
The Audio
On 4K Ultra HD, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. It brings good clarity and dynamic range, but there isn’t much going on in the surround channels beyond some atmospherics and low end is a bt shallow.
The Supplements
There are no new supplements included in this set. The audio commentary with the Wonka Kids is the only bonus feature that appears on both the 4K and included Blu-ray.
Commentary with the Wonka Kids (4K & Blu-ray)
Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (SD; 00:30:25) – Includes interviews with director Mel Stuart, producer David Wolper, star Gene Wilder and the five Wonka kids.
Vintage 1971 Featurette (SD; 00:04:02)
Fun + Games:
Sing-Along Songs
I’ve Got a Golden Ticket
Pure Imagination
I Want it Now
Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-De-Do
Theatrical Trailer (SD)
The Final Assessment
Warner Bros. has rectified what was only a middling 40th Anniversary release on Blu-ray with much better 50th anniversary 4K restoration that really sparkles. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is highly recommended.
If you found this article useful please consider clicking the button below and donating to help keep TheaterByte funded, which will allow us to continue posting great content.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (50th Anniversary) is out on 4K Ultra HD Combo June 29th, 2021 from Warner Bros.
Notice of Compliance with FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 255
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR part 255 guidelines, this website hereby states that it receives free discs and other theatrical or home entertainment "screeners" and access to screening links from studios and/or PR firms, and is provided with consumer electronics devices on loan from hardware manufacturers and/or PR firms respectively for the purposes of evaluating the products and its content for editorial reviews. We receive no compensation from these companies for our opinions or for the writing of reviews or editorials. Permission is sometimes granted to companies to quote our work and editorial reviews free of charge. Our website may contain affiliate marketing links, which means we may get paid commission on sales of those products or the services we write about. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A poor boy full of optimism wins one of five coveted golden tickets to go on a tour of the magical and mysterious tour of the factory of the world's greatest confectioner, Willy Wonka. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review)
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
{"id":58,"mode":"button","open_style":"in_modal","currency_code":"USD","currency_symbol":"$","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/www.theaterbyte.com\/wordpress\/core\/modules\/efb9325b07\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/www.theaterbyte.com\/wordpress\/core\/modules\/efb9325b07\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":500,"top_media_type":"none","featured_image_url":false,"featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Pay","payment_request_label":"TheaterByte","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"TheaterByte","form_subtitle":"We are creating Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Movie, and Home Theater electronics reviews.","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for being a supporter!","payment_confirmation_title":"TheaterByte","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
All outward appearances point to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory being no more than a silly, family friendly musical about kids in a candy factory, but one should never jump to conclusions. Willy Wonka is in fact a dark comedy in disguise, with a screenplay by Roald Dahl (Fantastic Mr. Fox) that stays rather true to his book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
