The 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a classic. Based on the book written by Ronald Dahl, the film is known for its incredible acting, great visuals and of course, chocolate. Starring Gene Wilder, the plot follows five kids who find the hidden golden tickets in a Wonka Bar. Charlie ends up finding one of the golden tickets, winning him a trip to Wonka’s chocolate factory, where he learns more about the wonderful world of chocolate.
While this timeless classic takes place in a chocolate factory, where exactly does the magic happen within the making of the film? Let’s take a look inside where Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was filmed.
Where Was The Original Willy Wonka Filmed?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was filmed in Munich, Germany. While most films choose to film in places like Los Angeles or cities like London or Paris, filmmakers of the movie decided to utilize the Germany location instead. When watching the film closely, you can even see German signs and architecture.
Why Was The Movie Filmed In Germany?
The filmmaker’s reasoning for filming here is actually more simple than you may think. Because cities like Los Angeles and New York are so expensive to film in, they opted for the Munich, Germany area because it was much less expensive. While the movie was filmed in 1971, areas like Los Angeles and New York were still very expensive, especially for filmmakers having to budget the costs for costuming, the cast and crew’s salaries, equipment and other expenses. The studio only gave the movie a budget of $3 million, which doesn’t stretch that long for a major film.
The director of the film, Mel Stewart, also wanted to showcase the beauty of Munich, stating “nobody knows what Munich looks like.” In this case, he was actually right, considering most Hollywood films at the time and even in today’s state aren’t filmed in Munich.
Factory Locations and Charlie’s Home
Hotspots for this filming location include Bavaria Studios in Geiselgasteig, Germany, along with exterior shots of the Wonka factory in Stadtwerke München. Charlie’s home was filmed in Quellenstrabe, while his parent’s laundry shop was in Sammtstrabe. He attended school classes at Katholisches Pfarramt St. Sylvester in Munich, Germany. The film locations in the movie feature incredible views, greenery, streams and beautiful florals.
More About The Original Willy Wonka Film
While this film is known as a classic and must-see for everyone, it only made a little over $4 million, just surpassing the film’s budget by $1 million. Audiences generally liked and enjoyed the movie and now it holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score in 1972, with Gene Wilder receiving the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.