Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

66% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(186,748 ratings)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks was produced several years after Walt Disney's death and released in the fall of 1971. As it turned out, Bedknobs was frequently compared to Mary Poppins -- probably thanks to several striking similarities between the two productions, notably the presence in the cast of… More Bedknobs and Broomsticks was produced several years after Walt Disney's death and released in the fall of 1971. As it turned out, Bedknobs was frequently compared to Mary Poppins -- probably thanks to several striking similarities between the two productions, notably the presence in the cast of David Tomlinson, the use of Cockney children as central characters, and the inclusion of sequences that combine animation and live-action. Set in wartime England, Bedknobs stars Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price, a would-be witch who hopes to use her newly acquired conjuring powers to forestall a Nazi invasion. Saddled with three surly kids who've been evacuated from London, Lansbury wins over her charges by performing various and sundry feats of magic. And, yes, she manages to foil a few Germans along the way. The film's most famous episode is an elaborate undersea fantasy, which combines animation with live-action on a gargantuan scale, dwarfing all previous Disney sequences along these lines. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Robert Stevenson
Written By: Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 11, 1971 Wide
On DVD: Mar 20, 2001
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's more sophisticated than the usual run of Disney product, but it lacks the inventiveness that could endow it with genuine charm.
Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
The fantasy is earthbound, the score by Richard and Robert Sherman (who also wrote music and lyrics for Mary Poppins) is forgettable, the special effects lackadaisical.
Variety Staff, Variety
It is when the film [based on the book by Mary Norton] dives deeply into the realms of fantasy that it is most enjoyable.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
I suspect the movie will be something of a long, uninterrupted sit for the very children for whom it's intended, and an even longer one for those parents and guardians (both adults and teen-age) who will probably accompany them.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Disney organization is worst when it makes "family entertainment" and best when it sticks to pure, simple, charming fantasy.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Disney's multi-Oscar nominated musical is not as good as Mary Poppins to which it's often compared, but Angela Lansbury is well-cast and most of the visual effects, which won the Oscar, are impressive.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A fun, fairly intelligent, unexpectedly witty example of cinema for children at a time when that genre was at one of its lowest-ever ebbs
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Delightful Disney charmer may be too long for youngest.
Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media
Delightful Disney charmer may be too long for youngest.
Richard Luck, Film4
It's a little uneven but at its best Bedknobs And Broomsticks rivals the joy and wonder of Mary Poppins.
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
Like Lansbury, the film has aged well and retains almost all of its magic.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Animation is neatly mixed with live action, and Lansbury, engaging as ever, heads a capable cast.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Has many moments rooted in movie magic, but there's also a whole lot of filler that brings the movie to a length that's more than bearable.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Angela Lansbury shows off her singing, dancing and comic skills -- which I think even overshadow the film's Oscar-winning special effects.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
I do think that too much burden is placed on Lansbury and Tomlinson to handle most of the songs, when one doesn't have a singer's voice and the other is really a character actor.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
It's Disney, and it has magic in it, but for me it's a stretch to call the film 'magical.'
, Time Out
Must all films for kids be so shoddy, though? The music is appalling.
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
If Jessica Fletcher was a witch all along, you think she could've kept Cabot Cove a little safer
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Good training for the little witches and warlocks in your family!

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

A fun adventure, with what was probably quite an impressive mix in 1971 of animation and Actors combined. Very drawn out and very dated now, although the Portobello Market scene was really enjoyable.
Alexander D

Bad
Bethany M

A childhoold favourite and a classic.
AJ V

A good kids movie, not great, but I think kids will enjoy it.
erika b

I really liked plot and music in this film. Also the acting was really good.
Dead A

If you are thinking about watching this movie now, please don't bother. You'll find this extremely boring and stupid. The story already gives you the hint and also the year when it was released. I remember watching this a long time ago and liking it. But I was young so that… More
If you are thinking about watching this movie now, please don't bother. You'll find this extremely boring and stupid. The story already gives you the hint and also the year when it was released. I remember watching this a long time ago and liking it. But I was young so that was acceptable. I would say this is a good movie for children under 10.
Chris W

It's been ages since I last saw this, but I doubt that it's gotten any less funny, whimsical, or entertaining.
Richard C

really boring. way too long. hardly anything i liked about this movie. D
Conner R

What a weird movie, even to this day I marvel at it's lack of reality. The blending of animation and live-action was touched on in Mary Poppins, but this goes even further and takes the story completely off the reservation. I think it's a lot more enjoyable than Mary… More
What a weird movie, even to this day I marvel at it's lack of reality. The blending of animation and live-action was touched on in Mary Poppins, but this goes even further and takes the story completely off the reservation. I think it's a lot more enjoyable than Mary Poppins, it sort of has a Chronicles of Narnia feel to it. Definitely a classic and must see, very few mainstream movies will ever be as odd as this.
Jason O

In "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," an apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) is just learning how to be successful at performing spells, flying on a broom, and other things that witches do. However, the book she has been learning from is missing its last page and she's real… More
In "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," an apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) is just learning how to be successful at performing spells, flying on a broom, and other things that witches do. However, the book she has been learning from is missing its last page and she's real eager to learn the rest about witchcraft, especially after she finds out that it could be helpful in defending the British against attacks of war. She and her friends will get to where they need to go with the aid of a magical bedknob. "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" had everything going for it at the time of its release, and it still does 30 years later. The story is interesting, it has good acting, some parts are hilarious, and much more. Another thing I really liked about it was its oscar-winning effects. Most of the movie is in real-time action, but some parts are also animated. In the animated parts, Angela Lansbury and her friends all interact with the cartoons, a lot like you see in "Space Jam," only better. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001. Loved this movie indeed and would love to see again or own.
Phil H

Wasn't well recieved I believe but again this was in the video machine (the large metal box with a wire connected remote lol) so much. Its imaginative and fun and easy to loose yourself in the fantasy world. It still looks great today, I still love the end sequence where the… More
Wasn't well recieved I believe but again this was in the video machine (the large metal box with a wire connected remote lol) so much. Its imaginative and fun and easy to loose yourself in the fantasy world. It still looks great today, I still love the end sequence where the knights take on the nasty Germans, the old spookish house where Egglatine lives with Cosmic Creepers, is she a witch? and of course the animated footie match.
Daniel H

A movie cannot rely on pure whimsy alone, and dangling plot elements leave much to be desired (whatever happened to that nefarious bookdealer and his goon?), as well as the fact that Disney let this one sit on its shelf until it was perhaps 25 years beyond being relevant. Also, it… More
A movie cannot rely on pure whimsy alone, and dangling plot elements leave much to be desired (whatever happened to that nefarious bookdealer and his goon?), as well as the fact that Disney let this one sit on its shelf until it was perhaps 25 years beyond being relevant. Also, it misses an essential component of a good childrens film: it needs an element of fear to temper the exuberance. Regardless, the final scenes in which the ghosts of England come alive, and the classic magical effects and gags, make this classic film well worth your time.
Bannan i

It's plain fun, especially when you're a kid. :]
Film C

i love this film its so lovely funny and excellant even for older people not just aimed at a younger audience
Jason S

This is a pretty good musical that has a few catchy tunes and dance numbers. One of the cool things about the movie is the various places the characters end up going. They head under the sea and to a place ruled by animals and even into the heart of a german attack on england. It… More
This is a pretty good musical that has a few catchy tunes and dance numbers. One of the cool things about the movie is the various places the characters end up going. They head under the sea and to a place ruled by animals and even into the heart of a german attack on england. It wasn't until later in life after watching this how adult the main reason for Lansbury studying magic was. She wanted to use it to fight the germans during WWII.
Curtis L

Been a while
Lafe F

A clumsy Disney tale of witches and magic during World War II in an English Village. The songs are long and forgettable. There are some scenes where the live-action characters visit an animated island of fantasy animals to play a game of soccer. It's a visual spectacle. When they… More
A clumsy Disney tale of witches and magic during World War II in an English Village. The songs are long and forgettable. There are some scenes where the live-action characters visit an animated island of fantasy animals to play a game of soccer. It's a visual spectacle. When they return to their village, there are some nasties to contend with, and some creepy magical animation of a non-human army. It seemed like a jumble of ideas which didn't mesh, for a somewhat dull film.
Dean M

Very clever fusion of live action, animation sequences and flying bed help provides a fun filled time. I like the animated soccer game scene that makes me can't stop laughing.
danny d

great flick for the family
Leigh R

Good film.