Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The start of the film shows the history of the car that becomes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. David Burgess-Wise was present during filming and explains that the sequence was shot on the Pinewood Studios lot in Buckinghamshire.

The French Grand Prix of 1908. A set constructed at Pinewood Studios identified by David Burgess-Wise.

The car competes at the German Grand Prix. Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire located by David Burgess-Wise who points us to an Autocar magazine article from December 1968 by Ronald "Steady" Barker which, apart from explaining that some of the cars were fake, goes on to mention the set for the races including the mythical German Grand Prix.

During the German Grand Prix the car crashes. Colin S. identifies this as Zig Zag Road leading up to Box Hill, near Dorking in Surrey. This bend is also seen during 'Catacombs', 'Nothing Venture', 'One Exciting Night' and 1967's 'Casino Royale'.

That tree just keeps growing! (SD)

Jeremy (Adrian Hall) and Jemima (Heather Ripley) play in the now scrapped car. Appears to be a set but included for the sake of completeness.

Jeremy and Jemima promise Mr Coggins (Desmond Llewelyn) that their father will buy the car to save it from being burnt by the Junkman (Victor Maddern).

Jeremy and Jemima run out of Coggins' yard and are nearly hit by Truly Scrumptious in her car. Russell's Water, Oxfordshire with the village sign in the background.

The same section of wall captured by Mick and Julie Mowatt.

Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) swerves to miss the children and ends up in a Duck Pond. Russell's Water, Oxfordshire.

Mick and Julie found that scene has changed a great deal.

Truly takes the childrern back to their father. Above Turville in Buckinghamshire.

Truly and the children arrive at their home. Cobstone Windmill near Turville in Buckinghamshire.

Not quite the right angle but it's the best one can do without trespass. SJ

The childrens father, Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), tries out one of his latest inventions. Cobstone Windmill.

Roughly the right angle but not really capturing the house behind the windmill. SJ

Caractacus cycles to the Scrumptious Sweet Company to sell a sweet that he has invented. Kempton Waterworks in Hanworth.

Panning from the previous image. Kempton Waterworks off Snakey Lane, Hanworth in Middlesex. The building is seen from a distance in 'Just Like a Woman'.

Mark O'Neill provides this photo taken from a moving car on the A316 until someone gains access to the treatment plant to achieve the correct angle. (RL)

Caractacus eventually raises the money to buy the car. Cobstone Windmill near Turville also seen in 'The Pumpkin Eater'.

Again, not the right angle. SJ

After many hours of work, the car is transformed. Caractacus and the children go for a drive, passing Grandpa Potts (Lionel Jeffries) as they leave. Cobstone Windmill near Turville.

I rather felt the current owners would prefer not to be disturbed by 'Chitty Citty Bang Bang' fans. SJ

Caractacus takes Jeremy and Jemima through a village. Hambleden, Buckinghamshire.

Now. SJ

Further through the village. Hambleden with the Stag & Huntsman pub in the background. The village can be seen in many productions including 'Dance with a Stranger', 'A Month in the Country', 'Nanny McPhee Returns', 'Into the Woods', 'Candleshoe', 'Rollin' with the Nines', ‘The Avengers’, ‘101 Dalmatians’, 'Child's Play', ‘The Legacy’, ‘Death on the Nile’, 'The Christmas Tree', ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’, ‘Another Country’, ‘The Witches’, ‘Diamonds on Wheels’, ‘Young and Innocent’, 'The Captive Heart' and ‘Hampstead’.

Now. SJ

Passing the churchyard wall. Hambleden, Buckinghamshire.

Now. SJ

The family head out of the village. Hambleden with St Mary the Virgin Church in the background. The village was also used in 'Another Country' . . .

. . . and briefly in 'The Captive Heart'. SJ

The car is named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because of the sound the engine makes. Hambleden, Buckinghamshire.

Lucky Chitty driving through a car-less Hambleden. SJ

Truly Scrumptious is picked up along the journey. Mark F advises that this is Shottesbrooke Park near White Waltham in Berkshire.

Richard Chesterton provides this view of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' heading for the coast along Bishop's Road towards Abbotsbury in Dorset with Chesil Beach visible between the land and the sea in the distance.

And this is the location now, captured by Richard who adds that St. Catherine's Chapel can be seen on the far hill to the right.

Caractacus, Truly and the children arrive at the beach. Cap Taillat near Ramatuelle, France. In a later coastal sequence, Richard Job advises that 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' appears to fly off the cliff at Hope Gap between Seaford Head and Cuckmere Haven in Sussex.

Andy provides an excellent comparative shot taken just a few months ago and still not a cloud in the sky (RL)

In a story told to the children, Caractacus drives Truly home. The driveway leading into Coombe Farm, just off the A35 at Litton Cheney near Dorchester, Dorset located by Sebastian Wortendyke.

Caractacus stops the car when they reach the gates to Truly's house. The entrance to the Burnham Beeches Hotel in Slough, Berkshire identified by Ben Marshall.

Ben also took this matching view in support.

Truly sings about Caractacus whilst walking the the grounds of her house. RJ recognises this from the opening scene of 'From Russia with Love' and the bridge, which also appears in 'The Amazing Mr. Blunden', 'Bugsy Malone', 'From Russia with Love', 'The Primitives' and 'Please Turn Over' can be found in the grounds of Pinewood.

Taken by RJ who was concentrating on 'Bugsy Malone' at the time or just hit it lucky.

Truly runs to the house. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.

Great angle but stand further back, RJ.

The story continues - Caractacus, Truly and the children take another trip out. Wikipedia suggests Iver, Buckinghamshire and Erin Perry gives a more accurate description as Iver Lane, the the old road running between Iver and Uxbridge.

The best view that Antony Blair could obtain as the house stands in private grounds.

Vulgarian spies Herman (Alexander Doré) and Sherman (Bernard Spear) attempt to blow up a bridge when they are sent to capture the car. Erin Perry confirms that this is Iver Bridge over Colne Brook.

Moving along, Antony found the bridge hidden by branches.

Herman and Sherman hatch another plan. The lane from Thame Road into the village of Ilmer in Buckinghamshire.

Encouraged by the recent fine weather to get out on his bike, Stephen Lee rode to the location to take this comparison.

Further along the lane the spies pass under Ilmer Bridge, Ilmer, Buckinghamshire

Stephen Lee draws our attention to the decorative horizontal cornice at the top of the frame which confirms the location.

When Grandpa Potts is mistaken for Caractacus, he is kidnapped and taken to the castle of Baron Bomburst in Vulgaria. This appears to be a studio set based on Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.

The Admiral (Davy Kaye) greets Grandpa Potts. Again, this looks like a set of the courtyard of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.

Grandpa follows the Admiral up the steps of the castle. A studio set included for sake of completeness.

After following Grandpa Potts when he is kidnapped, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies over Baron Bomburst's castle. Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau in Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany.

Mark O'Neill provides this comparison shot of the castle taken in 2011 adding "Not the same angle but many of the features are visible".

The Chancellor (Stanley Unwin) and Baron Bomburst (Gert Fröbe) watch as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies over. Studio set included for sake of completeness.

Caractacus, Truly and the Children land in Vulgaria. Weinsteige as it passes under Leuzenbronner Straße next to the River Tauber. Just outside Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Gary Kennedy sends us this shot that he took whilst on a Chitty location "pilgrimage". (RL)

The travellers approach a town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Günter never misses a opportunity to capture a 'now' for us on his travels, Kobolzeller Tor (City Gate). (RL)

The townsfolk stare at the strangers. Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Günter advises that this and the following sequence of comparisons were taken in the "Old Hospital Complex" of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. (RL)

Caractacus and Truly realise that there are no children in the town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Günter reveals that there still appears to be no children in the town. (RL)

The population run to hide as soldiers approach. Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

It looks as though they are still hiding Günter! (RL)

The soldiers ride into the town square. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Günter efforts were hindered by scaffolding as so often happens to us all. (RL)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is discovered and brought into the town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Günter's now shot reveals some changes. (RL)

After the car is taken to the castle. A Toymaker (Benny Hill) hides Jeremy and Jemima. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

It looks like a very lonely day for Günter.

The Toymaker takes Caractacus to show him where the car has been taken. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which also features in 'The Pied Piper', ‘Royal Flash’ and ‘The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm’.

At least the block work and the arch are recognisable, thanks Günter. (RL)

The pair climb a tower to view the castle. Dagmar Herrmann advises that this is the Strafturm at the northwest part of Rothenburg’s town wall which is about 800 meters from the Old Hospital Complex.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is taken into the castle. Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany.

A further shot from Gary. (RL)

The Child Catcher (Robert Helpmann) arrives in the town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Ansbach District, Mittelfranken, Bavaria.

Günter reveals that the town has at least moved on from horse transport to cars. (RL)

The Child Catcher can sense that there are children about. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Günter couldn't sense anyone being about. (RL)

Lollipops are used to entice the children from their hiding place. Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Clearly Günter was unable to entice anyone from their hiding place. (RL)

Jeremy and Jemima are persuaded by the lollipops. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Perhaps Günter should have taken lollipops with him. (RL)

The Child Catcher traps the children and takes them to the castle. Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Günter end his visit witnessing more activity than he has seen all day. (RL)

Truly sees the Child Catcher with Jeremy and Jemima as he leaves the town. Having grown up at number 10, third on the left, Dagmar Herrmann easily identifies this as looking towards Rödergasse from the corner of Paradeisgasse and Stollengasse in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, about 730 metres from the "Old Hospital Complex" where other scenes were shot. Dagmar tells us that "Neuschwanstein Castle, in the distance, was added during post-production and recalls some American tourists asking one day where the huge castle next to the town had gone. They were quite disappointed when told that it was situated more than 200 km from Rothenburg."

Dagmar provides this comparison shot adding "I must have been 2 or 3 years old when we lived in the attic of my grandparents‘ house at Paradeisgasse 10. I was supposed to have my afternoon nap in the bedroom behind the dormer window, but for several hours there was the noise of the film crew repeating the scene again and again, about a dozen times at least, of the Child Catchers cart rumbling as it hurries down the lane."

The story ends and Caractacus takes Truly and the children home. Cap Taillat near Ramatuelle, France.