Caractacus Pott - Caractacus Potts of The Film

Caractacus Potts of The Film

The filmmakers, including screenwriter Roald Dahl, altered a good deal of the book's details when crafting the 1968 film musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in which Potts is portrayed by Dick Van Dyke. For example, it was felt that a burgeoning romance would serve the story better, and so the character of Mimsie was written out of the story. Caractacus' film character was written as a widower who develops a romantic relationship with Truly Scrumptious, the daughter of the candy magnate. The film also did not carry over the Naval Commander part of his life and there is no hint of it in any of the set design, dialogue or behavior. Potts' other inventions as seen in the film were designed and created by the craftsman Roland Emett, and have been on display at Mid-America Science Museum for many years.

A stage musical based on the film premiered in London's West End in 2002, with Caractacus Potts played by Michael Ball. In the 2005 Broadway theatre production, Raúl Esparza played the role.