Reviews
Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Mel Stuart, Josh Young
ricefun's review
4.0
This quick read is filled with full-color pictures and delightful stories about the making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Mel Stuart engages with this creative work that was an important project in his film career. I do think that "the rest of the story" exists somewhere outside of this book, because Mel is such an insider that he may or may not be able to be objective about the project. The book is pretty light on content, but still fun to read as a fan of the film.
I am one of the many film lovers who Mel highlights in the book. I didn't see the original release (I wasn't yet alive) but because of re-runs and the DVD copy at a local public library I've fallen in love with this whole film. And of course Gene Wilder is one of the greats and I love everything he does in this film. At some point in the book Mel says that it is a movie made for adults that children enjoy, and that because of this adults keep watching over and over and noticing new aspects to the film. I agree with that wholeheartedly. Each time I watch it, and that will be even more true now that I've read this book, I notice or internalize new aspects.
I am one of the many film lovers who Mel highlights in the book. I didn't see the original release (I wasn't yet alive) but because of re-runs and the DVD copy at a local public library I've fallen in love with this whole film. And of course Gene Wilder is one of the greats and I love everything he does in this film. At some point in the book Mel says that it is a movie made for adults that children enjoy, and that because of this adults keep watching over and over and noticing new aspects to the film. I agree with that wholeheartedly. Each time I watch it, and that will be even more true now that I've read this book, I notice or internalize new aspects.
engpunk77's review
4.0
All I ever wanted to know about the making of my favorite movie! I was saying, "Did you know...." to everyone for a few days after this one. Some interesting stuff, certainly, but if you don't obsess about the movie like I do, it may be pretty humdrum.
kmccubbin's review
3.0
Interesting, but not ass much as you might think. Still, totally worth it for the pictures of a grown up Charlie looking a lot like the motorcycle cop from the Village People.
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