Bedknobs and Broomsticks

1971 "You'll beWITCHED! You'll beDAZZLED! You'll be swept into a world of enchantment BEYOND ANYTHING BEFORE!"
7| 1h57m| G| en| More Info
Released: 07 October 1971 Released
Producted By: Walt Disney Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
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Three children evacuated from London during World War II are forced to stay with an eccentric spinster. The children's initial fears disappear when they find out she is in fact a trainee witch.

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Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is now streaming with subscription on Disney+

Director

Robert Stevenson

Production Companies

Walt Disney Productions

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Bedknobs and Broomsticks Audience Reviews

Perry Kate Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
mike48128 Mary Poppins is a 10, so what's wrong with "Bedknobs" besides it's too long? A lack of "whimsey and wonder". Like comparing "Sleeping Beauty" to Snow White". (Both classics) So let's begin: The opening credits are far too long, as Disney liked to front-load all the credits during this era. The storyboarded titles tell the entire plot line so nothing is left to the imagination. It's like an overlong movie "trailer" that does the same thing. At first the characters are dreadful, and only start to improve in "likeability" as the story progresses. (Angela Lansbury, especially) The Bookman" and his henchman (who reminds me of the "Creeper" from the Sherlock Holmes series) are woefully-miscast; as they are too weird and sinister. "Portobello Road", a botched attempt at recreating the "Consider Yourself" musical number from "Oliver", is far too long. It seems more like a parade at Walt Disney World than a part of the movie. The Germans are both bumbling and menacing. (How is that possible?) The U-boat captain is far too nice! Now here's what's good about the film: The special effects are outstanding. The "haunted armor" is wonderful, although the kids will enjoy the cartoon sequences better: 1. The soccer game animation is only fair by Disney standards and somewhat "mean spirited." 2. The reason that "Beautiful Briny Sea" is so wonderful is that both the story and song were ideas cut from "Mary Poppins" and used here. The restoration seems a bit odd: David Tomlinson's voice is noticeably re-dubbed and (according to English critics) a song is missing, but all the other songs and scenes are fully-restored. In spite of all my criticism, I really do like this film. After all, it did win two Academy Awards for Special Effects!
johnstonjames do i believe in magic? well, no. i'm sorry to disappoint anyone, but no, there is no such thing as magic. everything can be explained. it's usually all smoke and mirrors.parents should be strongly cautioned about 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'. not because i believe in witches or magic, that stuff is just a bunch of hocus pocus. there are no such thing as real witches and anyone over the age of six who believes that should have their noggin examined. if someone tries to tell you there is such a thing as real magic or witches, get away from them fast because they are obviously psychotic and probably very dangerous.as a Christian and a person who is concerned with the salvation of man's immortal soul, it's not the magic that bothers me, it's the movie's strong spirit of militarism that bothers me. this movie glorifies war. and what is war good for? absolutely nothing. this movie indoctrinates young children into the military industrial complex at an early age(i mean it's designed for young children). children should not learn to glorify war, they should be wary of it, if not afraid of it. World War II may or may not have been the right decision, but do we need to keep bringing up past wars? especially where children are concerned. nobody wants World War III here. that would be madness.do i like this movie? of course i do. i grew up with this film and it's always been a Disney favorite of mine. it's beautifully handled by director Robert Stevenson, it's very clever, and has a charming musical score by Disney song writers, the Sherman Brothers. the film has many smart insights into history and sometimes i think this film may be more about children than anything else. but every time i get too sentimental and cozy about this film i wake up and think, oh God! THIS IS ABOUT WAR! nobody in their right brain wants a frick'in WAR!as far as the witchcraft element? i said what i think of that. there ain't no such thing and if you believe it's real YOU ARE STUPID. as a Christian does it scare me? oh sometimes i get superstitious and then i wake up. i used to follow astrology in the newspaper and read my horoscope everyday to see if i could find out anything. do you know what happened? absolutely nothing. half the time the stupid horoscope seemed like it was speaking to someone else. hardly any of the advice changed or helped my life in anyway. it just made me believe in silly things.but there are evil, stupid people out there with very little education who actually believe in magic. and it doesn't help that the witchcraft in 'Bedknobs' is far more real than the silly 'Harry Potter' films. i mean 'Astoroth' was a famous occultist and some of the incantation words (though not many) are actual words. does that scare me? of course not dummies. but it does scare some really stupid people who are evil enough to believe it's real. those people's children probably won't mix well with children who come from a more enlightened, intelligent and practical family that won't believe in such idiocy.so be careful with this movie. it could cause you some trouble if you bring it up in the wrong place. as far as my own feelings go, i find this film cute and charming and terribly funny. others might not be as amused. be careful. you are crossing the line with this film. when you endorse or recommend this film you are advocating war. you are also stating that you prefer to take a practical, scientific approach to this world and debunk superstition.for those of you who might read this and still believe witchcraft is real, YOU ARE STUPID. bottom line. keep repeating to yourself "it's only a movie. it's only a movie. than seek therapy.for the families strong and smart enough to deal with this ticking time bomb of a film, take caution and enjoy. it's funny and fun.if you can handle it go for it. HELLBORNE HENBANE AQUINITE GLOW-WORM FIRE FIREFLY LIGHT!
disdressed12 this film certainly belongs in the category of family friendly.there's absolutely nothing here that is unsuitable for children.in fact,very young children will really enjoy it.older children may not have the attention span to sit thorough as it is pretty sedate at times.adults might fall sleep,or the film might bring them on a trip down memory lane.but patience is really a virtue,because in between the sedate moments though there are some pretty funny moments especially during the animated sequences.most children will no doubt giggle with delight at these moments and even the adults will probably find them funny.i laughed out loud during these moments.for family fare,you could do a whole lot worse.for me,Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a 5/10
petersj-2 Perhaps Disney was hoping for another Mary Poppins but this is a very different story and while Angela is delightful she was a very different performer to the great Julie Andrews. Having said that Lansbury is perfectly cast and delivers a magical performance. There is something deliciously dotty about her character and she is given wonderful support by David Tomlinson. Tomilinson can carry a tune but he is certainly not much chop as a singer. It does not matter he was such a gifted actor you hardly notice. There are some great cameos from much loved stars of another time like Roddy McDowel who gives a winning performance and the much loved Tessie OShea who does very little but its nice to see the old gal again. Its also lovely to see Sam Jaffe and the king of English television Bruce Forsythe in small roles. The score has a couple of beautiful songs especially The briny sea and The age of Not Believing. The big number Portabello Road is stretched to the limit but it has plenty of theatricality. The effects look a bit cliché today but the scene with the German invaders being attacked by the wildest army in film is pretty impressive. The kids are not as annoying as other movies but one does struggle to understand what the youngest boy is saying. I loved the marching song of the home army. The home guard were very important to Britain and this is a warm tribute. The animation is delightful, much better than Pixar which I find grotesque. A warm happy film and its a wonder its not done on stage.