Movie Debate: Was Willy Wonka correct when he accused Charlie of stealing Fizzy Lifting Drinks?

[playahaitian]

WONKA
[springs up from his chair, angrily] Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy:



[grabs a magnifying glass and reads]

WONKA
"I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained," et cetera, et cetera... "Fax mentis, incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera... Memo bis punitor delicatum!

[slams the contract copy and the magnifying glass down, continues shouting]

WONKA
It's all there! Black and white, clear as crystal! You stole Fizzy-Lifting Drinks! You bumped into the ceiling, which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you GET... NOTHING! YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY, SIR! [returns to work]

Was Willy Wonka correct when he accused Charlie of stealing Fizzy Lifting Drinks?

In the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka says Charlie stole Fizzy Lifting Drinks. But was it really stealing? Admittedly, Mr. Wonka did not offer it to them but he also ...

scifi.stackexchange.com

In the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka says Charlie stole Fizzy Lifting Drinks. But was it really stealing? Admittedly, Mr. Wonka did not offer it to them but he also didn't prohibit them either.

He was very generous with all other aspects during the tour and offered many other things not released to the public, including an 'everlasting gobstopper'. And he never told them not to do most things, he just allowed them to endure the consequences.

Isn't it safe to assume that, without specific direction not to drink them, that Charlie and his grandfather would have accepted this as a tacit permission to do so?​

 

[playahaitian]

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[playahaitian]

https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/willy-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory-1971.pdf

https://genius.com/Roald-dahl-you-did-it-charlie-scene-willy-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory-annotated

 

[playahaitian]

In the 'You lose!' scene, Wonka quotes from the contract Charlie signed. What is the text and actual meaning of the various bits of Latin...

Answer: The Contract quote from the "You Lose" scene in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"…. Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void IF - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy! - "I, the undersig...

www.quora.com

 

[playahaitian]

Context: the scene occurs in Tim Burton’s 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, during the climax when Willy Wonka reads the fine print of the contract Charlie signed after returning to the factory. Wonka sprinkles a few Latin phrases and faux-Latin legalisms for dramatic effect. Below is the quoted text (film lines that include Latin) and a concise explanation of what each phrase actually means or is meant to evoke.

Quoted Latin and explanation

• “Hic manebimus optime.”
  • Literal: “Here we will remain best” or more idiomatically “Here we shall stay very well.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: A humorous, slightly off Latin phrase intended to mean “this is where you will remain” or “you’ll be stuck here.” It’s used jokingly as mock-serious Latin; classical phrasing would be different (e.g., “hic manebimus” = “we will remain here”).
• “Liber juris est clausus.”
  • Literal: “The book of law is closed.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: Suggests that the legal matter is settled and no further recourse is available. Not a standard classical/legal formula, but understandable: “the book of law is closed” = no more argument.
• “Acta non verbis.”
  • Literal: “Deeds, not words” (more correct classical form: “acta, non verba”).
  • Actual meaning/usage: Emphasizes that actions count, not promises—used to justify enforcing the contract by deed rather than discussion.
• “Quod erat demonstrandum.” (often abbreviated Q.E.D.)
  • Literal: “Which was to be demonstrated.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: Traditional mathematical/logical closing phrase indicating the proof is complete. In the scene it functions as a smug flourish meaning “proof delivered.”
• “Hic incipit nostra lex.”
  • Literal: “Here begins our law.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: A theatrical way to say “from here the rules apply” or “now my rules take effect.” Not an established legal maxim.
• “In perpetuum.”
  • Literal: “Forever,” “into perpetuity.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: Standard Latin phrase meaning something continues indefinitely.
• “Deus ex machina.” (not strictly a legal phrase)
  • Literal: “God from the machine.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: Classical drama term for an implausible external solution. Wonka’s use is ironic/metatheatrical — implying an unexpected resolution (or that his intervention is theatrical).
• “Sic semper tyrannis.” (not actually in the film’s printed clause, but similar rhetorical Latin is used)
  • Literal: “Thus always to tyrants.”
  • Actual meaning/usage: Revolutionary slogan meaning tyrants always meet a bad end. If echoed by Wonka, it’s dramatic flourish rather than contractual language.

General note on Wonka’s Latin: Much of it is mock-legal Latin — short, punchy fragments that sound authoritative but are not always grammatically classical. The effect is theatrical: to intimidate, to signal finality, and to lampoon legalese. Where the film’s Latin is imperfect, correct classical or legal equivalents would be:

• “Acta, non verba” (deeds, not words)
• “In perpetuum” (forever)
• “Quod erat demonstrandum” (Q.E.D.)

Practical reading of the scene: the Latin lines are rhetorical ornamentation; the enforceable content is the English contract language Wonka reads aloud. The Latin underscores finality and theatrical authority rather than adding new legal obligations.