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CRUNCHEM HALL — Roald Dahl was born 97 years ago Friday. His books have been read in classrooms, bedrooms and secret hideaways all over the world by children escaping reality and diving into the fantastical — and often dark — stories crafted by Dahl.
This goes without saying: Read the books. I’ll even say it twice: Read the books. They are short, easy-to-read and frankly, not just for kids. I have read Matilda, The BFG and The Witches several times as both a kid and adult. But if you’re looking for a good movie to watch with your family or friends Friday to celebrate the author, any of these four will give you a proper fill of Dahl.
This one is first because of my Wes Anderson-loving heart. Call me a hipster, but I love this quirky film.
The animation’s interesting textures, joined by the voices of Anderson’s regular actors plus George Clooney and Meryl Streep, its crazy storyline and beautiful music got it a nomination for two Academy Awards, including best animated feature film.
There are several iconic visuals in this movie that translated so well from book to film. Like the chokey, Miss Trunchbull’s torturous “time out” chamber for children at Crunchem Hall. And Danny DeVito made Mr. Wormwood come alive in a comedic and frightening way. Let’s not leave out Cookie’s most chocolatey cake, which every kid dreaded and desired at the same time. It looked so chocolatey and delicious, but boy was Bruce in for it, despite the touching moment where the whole school cheers for him.
Plus, Mara Wilson was, very possibly, the cutest little girl ever. And Embeth Davidtz is so much nicer as Miss Honey than Mrs. Pryce in “Mad Men”.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Reportedly, Dahl disapproved of the 1971 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” because it was too much about Wonka and not enough about Charlie Bucket. He also did not approve of the film’s deviations from the book — a common problem for Dahl. This is why I am telling you to watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” instead.
Maybe he would have hated it, but Dahl’s widow, Liccy Dahl, collaborated with Warner Brothers to bring Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation to the big screen. Burton’s vision for the film starring Johnny Depp as Wonka was to stay true to the sinister plot points of Dahl’s books, which he definitely did.
Dahl didn’t actually write a book containing any of the Potts family or the flying car lusted after by the baron of Vulgaria. But he did write the screenplay for the 1968 movie from Ian Fleming’s book.
The movie is sort of one of those that you need some fond childhood memories of watching in order to stay interested the whole time, because it’s really long. “But the songs. And Truly Scrumptious! What about the wind-up and rag doll scene? None of that deserves to be cut,” my child self exclaims. I didn’t say it wasn’t worth it, just be prepared to watch a 2 ½ hour children’s movie.
Bonus: The James Bond flick You Only Live Twice is another screenplay written by Dahl based on a Fleming book.
