Comments on: Dahl himself would be exasperated over the 1971 film’s endurance

By: Harper's Notes

Harper's Notes — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 14:43:21 +0000

When France joined the American Revolution they sent their navy to hurt the British where it really mattered, not in the colonies, though they did sail around there and do some blockading mostly, but to the sugar isles in the West Indies instead. About three times more trade with Britain than all the American colonies put together, if I recall the lecture I heard correctly. Islands where African slaves worked under utterly brutal conditions. Sugar — Chocolate? Black main character? Plantations — Factories of horror? Anyway those are my immediate thoughts upon reading the blog here. Suspect like The Wizard of Oz the original book is basically political satire.

By: Jackie Pratt

Jackie Pratt — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:37:56 +0000

And now the film has also entered the meme world. That’s akin to being parodied by Weird Al.

By: Altitude Zero

Altitude Zero — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:23:07 +0000

IMHO, Wilder saved what would have otherwise been a terrible film. He’s the only reason that anyone watches it today, but he makes it worth it. I shudder to think what Spike Milligan (whom I generally liked) would have done with the role.