Roald Dahl
Born in Wales to Norwegian parents in 1916, he was named after Norway's great adventurer, Roald Amundsen. Though his father died when he was just three years old, his mother decided to stay in Britain as it had been their wish that their children be educated there. Dahl spent several years in boarding schools which he did not enjoy, though he became quite popular and, being tall (he would eventually top out at six foot six), was good at sports. It was while at St Peters that a new chocolate factory, run by a Mr Cadbury, used to send candy bars to the school for pupils to test. Young Roald often day-dreamed of inventing a chocolate bar that would impress the choc impresario - later inspiring Dahl to write one of his most beloved stories 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. After serving in the war he married actress Patricia Neal and the couple had five children. They divorced in 1983, after 30 turbulent years, and Dahl married Neal's good friend Felicity d'Abreu Crosland whom he was with until his death in 1990 from a rare blood disease.
"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom." - Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, M...
Unique director Tim Burton re-teams with muse Johnny Depp bringing Roald Dahl's classic morality tale to the big screen once more. Reinvented and reim... Read more
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( Blu-ray ) (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Christopher Lee, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, James Fox, Johnny Depp, Noah...
Unique director Tim Burton re-teams with muse Johnny Depp bringing Roald Dahl's classic morality tale to the big screen once more. Reinvented and reim... Read more
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
6.9/10
Director: Ken Hughes
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries
Dick Van Dyke is a slightly offbeat inventor in this modern fairy tale about a magical car. Charming songs, whimsical humour, wonderful special effect... Read more
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
6.7/10
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: Paul Terry, Miriam Margolyes, Joanna Lumley
A wondrous adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantasy about a young orphan, mistreated by his Aunts, who goes on a remarkable journey when he enters a huge, m... Read more
Matilda (1996)
6.9/10
Director: Danny Devito
Starring: Danny DeVito, Embeth Davidtz, Mara Wilson, Rhea Perlman
Director Danny DeVito turns Roald Dahl's story into a dark and whimsical fantasy about a smart, book-loving young girl whose parents send her to a boa... Read more
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected: 1.1 (1979)
Like his children's books, Roald Dahl's adult stories never fail to surprise. Each stand-alone playfully macabre story in this acclaimed series is a b... Read more
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected: 1.2 (1979)
Director: Alastair Reid, Claude Whatham, Herbert Wise, Michael Tuchner, Simon Langton
Starring: John Alderton, Joan Collins, Joseph Cotten, Jose Ferrer, Michael Gambon, Susan G...
Like his children's books, Roald Dahl's adult stories never fail to suprise. Each stand alone, playfully macabre story in this acclaimed series is a b... Read more
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected: 1.4 (1979)
Director: Claude Whatham, Giles Foster, Herbert Wise, John Gorrie
Starring: John Alderton, Joan Collins, Joseph Cotten, Jose Ferrer, Michael Gambon, Susan G...
Like his children's books, Roald Dahl's adult stories never fail to suprise. Each stand alone, playfully macabre story in this acclaimed series is a b... Read more
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected: 2.1 (1980)
Director: Giles Foster, Alan Gibson, Graham Evans, John Bruce
Starring: John Gielgud, Bernard Miles, Peter Tuddenham, Betsy Blair, Stephanie Cole, Bill...
This playfully macabre series continues with a collection of stories inspired by Roald Dahl. Each stand-alone episode in this acclaimed series is a br... Read more
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected: 2.2 (1980)
Director: Giles Foster, Alan Gibson, Philip Dudley
Starring: Mary Tovey, Robin Marchal, Colin Hodges, Raymond Francis, Nigel Havers, Richard...
More tales of the playfully macabre from Roald Dahl. Six episodes include 'The Stinker', 'I'll Be Seeing You', 'The Party', 'Would You Believe It', 'V... Read more