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Directed by Ken Hughes, with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) revolves around a once famous racecar, which finds itself in a scrap yard many years after it’s prime. But, after the titular vehicle is bought and restored by Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), the eccentric inventor, his two children, and the wealthy Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) must work together to keep it out of the hands of Baron Bumburst (Gert Frobe), the tyrant of the fictional Vulgaria, who wants the new decked out wheels for himself.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is based on the 1964 children’s novel of the same name by Ian Fleming, a British navel intelligence officer, best known for creating MI6’s most famous OO agent, James Bond. Common elements and themes that run throughout Fleming’s OO7 series include the after effects of World War II, Britain’s new position in geopolitical affairs and Anglo-American relations. While Bond’s enemies tend to be Soviet inspired, which reflected the USSR’s rising stance in the world during the time when Fleming first began writing his action packed spy thrillers, OO7 is often at odds with his American counterparts, who he reluctantly comes to in their time of need. This perhaps indicates a slight resentment between the two Cold War allies.

As for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the protagonist Potts is capitalistic and embodies everything that gave the United States it’s edge over Great Britain in the post-WWII period. Meanwhile, the villainous Bumburst represents the old British colonialism that deteriorated with the breakdown of the empire, which saw high unemployment and the loss of India and other territory in the Middle East. Upon being captured, Bumburst wails, “I’ve lost my crown!” It is also obvious that the antagonist is not a fan of children and that all the toys being made are for him. This can be seen as a commentary on the United Kingdom’s declining birth rate, which was in stark contrast to the United States’ infamous baby boom. Perhaps, this is what gave the emerging superpower their entrepreneurial spirit and enabled the former, which relied heavily on aristocratic ideals, to erode.

During the film’s opening, there is a montage of the motorcars glorious victories at the Grand Prix races of the 1910’s. This particular time period is highly reminiscent of the infamous Victorian Era, which was Great Britain’s undisputed “golden age.” But fast-forward only a few years and a drastic change in the balance of power is evident. The British society revealed is one that has fallen behind substantially, and whose only option is to sit back and allow the reigns of the new order (the United States, the European Union, Japan, etc.) to replace them on their throne and pimp out the ride that they could not.