Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

the audience applauded

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is movie is magical, musical and fun. Three young children moved from London and met Ms. Price. If you're a Disney fan like me, you'll love this movie. I've seen some wonderful magical spells and things that came to life. I recommend this movie because this movie is a classic. You can't beat this classic Disney movie.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks remains one of my favourite childhood films and re watching it has only cemented this. This film never fails to disappoint. Set in WWII era England, the movie centres around Englantine Price, an apprentice witch attempting to use her powers to end the war. Her plans are compromised when a) three children from London are forcibly relocated under her care and b) the London based college of witchcraft she corresponds with closes down before sending her the crucial spell she needs to end the war. The movie then follows her as she and the kids head to London to try to find her teacher Professor Emilius Brown and obtain that spell. The movie bears a resemblance to it's 'predecessor' Mary Poppins (the use of life meets animation, Sherman Brothers soundtrack, David Tomlinson, the English setting), yet manages to remain unique, fresh and interesting. Angela Lansbury (a favourite of mine, growing up on 'Murder, She Wrote') plays Englantine flawlessly, as does David Tomlinson, and the on-screen chemistry between the duo adds to the magic of this film. Of the three children, Carrie (Cindy O'Callahan) is the most convincing character; the two boys aren't as convincing but are nonetheless passable. The songs are of course brilliant (each and every one!) and very memorable. My personal favourite would have to be 'The Age of Not Believing'. Overall, definitely recommended to the (probably few) who have not yet seen this film.

There's more charm to this Disney musical than has been given credit for, even though a huge fan base obviously exists for it. The film was overshadowed by the memory of Disney's previous big movie musical where another British actress (Julie Andrews) shot to super-stardom playing a nanny with extraordinary powers. Here, Angela Lansbury is a wanna be witch who ends up in charge of three kids against her will and assists the British in fighting the Krauts of World War I with the help of her own magic powers.The same song-writing team of Robert and Richard Stevenson have created an equally engaging score, and I think it even tops the one for "Mary Poppins". Lansbury wins your heart immediately when she berates her cranky charges for being past that "Age of Not Believing" then takes them onto a magical journey into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and into a magical island with its own Lion King and a horde of eccentric soccer playing animals, all with the assistance of her witch professor phony David Tomlinson.More eccentric than his disciplining father from "Mary Poppins", Tomlinson is more than welcomed back and a great co-star for Lansbury. He is hysterically funny in the partly animated soccer match where he is the referee and takes more than his share of abuse from this mythical animal kingdom. Fresh from her success as Broadway's "Mame" (with a few flops in between that have become cult classics thanks to her presence in them), Lansbury proves herself worthy of the movie musical, having been sadly dubbed most of the time when she was at MGM during their heyday.There's a bit of a Harry Potter and "Wicked" feeling to this story with quite the influence of the late 60's/early 70's Broadway feel in the live-action musical numbers. The lyrics are cleverly difficult to sing along with and may have you laughing as you try, especially the final number where Lansbury gets her witchcraft right in aiding a museum filled with ancient war artifacts to take on the German army.Another "Mary Poppins" veteran is back, Lansbury's old MGM co-star Reginald Owen, in one of his final appearances, and Roddy McDowall is amusingly effete as the British preacher who keeps popping in to check on the kiddies. Disney would obviously be influenced by this many years later when making their modern day musical classics such as "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" (by casting Lansbury in a key role) and "The Lion King".

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!