Wilder vs. Depp: Who was the Best Willy Wonka?

I wasn't yet born when this book made it across the pond to America in1964. Were you?


"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (book cover)" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Today was the day back in 1971 when this "children's" movie was released.



Have you seen it? How old were you when you saw it? I was 1-2 years old myself so I didn't see it until years later on television. It was both scary and fun to watch. Later I read the book and thought it was different in a some ways but I felt the Gene Wilder version did a good job with the overall feel of the story.

Years later, in 2005, Johnny Depp took on this same role in a new version of the film.



Do you remember this one? Did you see it? How did you think it compared? It was creepy in other ways and while the lyrics were Dahl's I didn't really like the story changes or the tone of this one.

If you could only save one of these movies for future generations to watch, which would it be and why?

I look forward to seeing your comments and having a good discussion about these two movies.

Comments

Wyrenth said…
It's probably not the popular opinion, but I favored Depp in this role. The eccentricities he portrayed were more pronounced and fun, and the overall performance was better in my mind. There's lots of other factors at play as to which movie as a whole was more enjoyable (supporting cast, oompa loompas, story changes, songs, etc), but strictly looking at Wilder vs. Depp for who made a better Willy Wonka, Depp is my pick.
I think you did a great job expressing your opinion, Wyrenth. Thank you.

I learned recently that Dahl himself really hated the music in the Wilder version because they didn't use the lyrics he wrote for the book.
Wyrenth said…
Yeah, I can't say I was a fan of the music either. Kinda struck me as odd, the light-hearted "Pure Imagination" before the psychadelic chicken-killing ride and kids getting possibly-maybe-likely murderlized. :P That's less the actor and more the writing, though.
Very true. It takes a huge group of people to make any movie.