Year Five News

This week, the Year Five students have been analysing the character of Willy Wonka as portrayed by Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp in the 1971 and 2005 films. They’ve been challenged to compare and contrast each actor’s presentation of the character with Roald Dahl’s original text from 1964 and decide whether they feel the author’s intent has been met. 

It’s raised some very interesting questions on the interpretation of the character and the difference between the playful interpretation of the first film and the much darker and more unsettled interpretation of the second.

“In the 2005 film, Willy Wonka's voice was high and flutey as that's what I remember in the clip, but in the original it was deeper and wiser in my opinion.”

“The first movie is more of a happy, exciting one; however, the second movie is a dark, nervous, spooky, scary experience and I think that’s why Roald Dahl would like and prefer the 2005 version.”

“I think the one Ronald Dahl most wanted Willy Wonka to be like was probably the first one, the one with the curly blond hair, because I think he has a personality that seems most like the one in the book; mad, but then happy.”

With the holidays coming up, perhaps it’s time to revisit these films, and the book, and enjoy them for all the wit they possess once again.

All the best from the Year Five team.