Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Name: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family
Released: December 13, 1971
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Angela Lansbury, Bruce Forsyth, Cindy O'Callaghan, David Tomlinson, Ian Weighill

1971

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Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Distribution Company | Release Date: December 13, 1971 | G

Starring: Angela Lansbury, Bruce Forsyth, Cindy O'Callaghan, David Tomlinson, Ian Weighill, John Ericson, Roddy McDowall, Roy Snart, Sam Jaffe, Tessie O'Shea

Summary: An apprentice witch, three kids and a cynical magician conman search for the missing component to a magic spell to be used in the defense of Britain in WWII.

Director: Robert Stevenson

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family, Musical

Rating: G

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

IndieWire Greg Ehrbar

The script is tight and witty with sparks of sophistication. This is a film that, while never quite given the rightful place in the Disney canon it deserved, had a positive influence on many lives over the decades, including that of this writer. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Oscar-winning special effects and animation sequences by Ward Kimball make this musical fantasy a perennial favorite. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The magic of Walt Disney lingers magnificently on in Bed knobs and Broomsticks. Read full review

Vincent Canby

A tricky, cheerful, aggressively friendly Walt Disney fantasy for children who still find enchantment in pop-up books, plush animals by Steiff and dreams of independent flight. Read full review

Empire Ian Nathan

Like Lansbury, the film has aged well and retains almost all of it's magic. Read full review

Dave Kehr

It's more sophisticated than the usual run of Disney product, but it lacks the inventiveness that could endow it with genuine charm. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Must all films for kids be so shoddy, though? The music is appalling. Read full review

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 31, 2022

Mary Poppins is definitely much better, but this is a lovely film nonetheless. Angela Lansbury is splendidly dotty as Engletine Price, and David Tomlinson has great fun as Mr. Brown. Their chemistry was just brilliant as well. The children, however just lacked the same sparkle, though PaulMary Poppins is definitely much better, but this is a lovely film nonetheless. Angela Lansbury is splendidly dotty as Engletine Price, and David Tomlinson has great fun as Mr. Brown. Their chemistry was just brilliant as well. The children, however just lacked the same sparkle, though Paul is very funny and cute. The songs were actually not as bad as some people say, "Beautiful Briny Sea" is the best, in fact all the songs are outstanding. The special effects were wonderful, that had plenty of magic, and the story is original enough. The highlights, though, like Mary Poppins, were the animated sequences. The underwater sequence was beautiful, but my favourite was the football match, which was absolutely hilarious. The only other criticism was that I didn't quite get the ending when I first saw it. All in all, a lovely film, that is hardly ever on. 8/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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drlowdon

Aug 27, 2023

Three children evacuated from London during The Blitz discover they are living with a witch-in-training.

At the time Bedknobs & Broomsticks was seen as a pretty blatant attempt to cash in on the success of Mary Poppins. It’s certainly not quite as memorable as said film, but the combinationThree children evacuated from London during The Blitz discover they are living with a witch-in-training.

At the time Bedknobs & Broomsticks was seen as a pretty blatant attempt to cash in on the success of Mary Poppins. It’s certainly not quite as memorable as said film, but the combination of musical numbers, animation and light humour still make for a fairly entertaining children’s movie.… Expand

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