Product Details

• Actors: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe, John Ericson
• Directors: Robert Stevenson
• Writers: Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi, Mary Norton, Ralph Wright, Ted Berman
• Producers: Bill Walsh
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Live, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
• VHS Release Date: August 25, 1998
• Run Time: 117 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301390725
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,876 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #31 in	Video > Kids & Family > Disney Home Video > Live Action > Comedy

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When a mail-order apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) is saddled with three sibling refugees from London during World War II, the outlook is grim. But the kids soon discover her secret and sign on for adventure in the name of England. With the aid of a magical bed, they track down her fraudulent headmaster (David Tomlinson) to find the spell that will aid the Allies. Fascinated that she has actually achieved results with his lessons, he joins forces. The quintet does battle with corrupt booksellers, animated-lion royalty, and, eventually, invading Germans. Songs include Lansbury's Oscar-nominated "The Age of Not Believing." This film is often compared to director Robert Stevenson's earlier effort, Mary Poppins, and for good reason. In addition to Tomlinson, the movies share a fondness for magic at the hands of a good woman, light romance with an understanding male, and wide-eyed children. Stevenson also graces both films with interaction between humans and animated animals. Disney is wise to play up that aspect on its box this time around as both the underwater ball and the subsequent island soccer match are the most visually interesting and appealing parts of the film. Adults may find the 1971-vintage mixing of actors and animation a bit creaky, but kids used to a variety of animation quality will find the action a hoot. Ages 4 and up. The movie has been recut several times but was restored to the original length of 139 minutes for its 30th anniversary in 2001. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The charge of the "knight" brigade!, January 22, 2005

By	Dave (Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition) (DVD)

Ever since I was a child, this magical Disney classic has always captured my imagination. The fabulous songs by the Sherman brothers, the amazing mixture of live-action and animation, and the magical special effects make this timeless film entertaining to viewers of all ages. The casting was great, especially David Tomlinson, who was also terrific in "Mary Poppins" and "The Love Bug". My two favorite scenes in this are the hilarious soccar match and the "battle" at the end between the knights and the German soldiers. By the way, the scene where the "flying" dress lands on Roddy McDowall is the only scene (that I know of) where you can clearly see the wires attached to a flying object or person in the movie. This is easily one of Angela Lansbury's best performances, and it's one of the best films directed by the great Robert Stevenson (Disney's greatest director ever in my humble opinion). I was a little disappointed by the "special edition" dvd. It claims to have a featurette on the making of the film, but the featurette focuses only on the film's music. I was hoping for a documentary explaining the actual making of the film, especially the extraordinary special effects. At least the movie has been wonderfully restored and is very well-priced. This great film is highly recommended for Disney fans.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie!, March 27, 2001

By	Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is the story of Miss Eglantine Price (Angela Landsbury), a proper English spinster who believes that her mail-order course in witchcraft will allow her to greatly help her country in its struggle with Nazi Germany. Unfortunately, Miss Price is not a very good witch. When she finds three young evacuees from London are housed with her, her secret is discovered, and she is forced to buy their silence with an enchanted bed knob that will allow them to travel anywhere on their bed.

Disaster strikes when the mail-order course in cancelled, and Miss Price must use the magic bed to find the teacher of the course, Dr. Emelius Browne (David Tomlinson). Finding that he is a charlatan, she, the children and Dr. Browne set off to find the spell that she needs; this being in the hands of a group of intelligent (cartoon) animals that live on their own island. Returning to her home, Miss Price's talents are required when a Nazi raiding party storms ashore. [Color, created in 1971, with a running time of 1 hour, 57 minutes, rated G.]

This is one of my favorite Disney movies ever. The movie is quite eclectic, with wonderful scenes of dancing soldiers from across the Empire, a hilarious soccer game involving the animal kingdom, and a fantastic battle between the German soldiers and magically animated armor. This is a wonderful movie, with something for all ages.

[Please consider reading the wonderful book Bedknob and Broomstick by Mary Norton. Though Disney maintained the title, virtually the entire story was changed in the making of the movie.]

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastically Magical Film! Bravo Angela!, October 27, 2002

By	Lorenzo M. in the Hollywood CA Area "Movie Wa... (North Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition) (DVD)

BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSICKS was made in the early 70's and is one of those Disney films that speaks to the little kid in us all. Directed by veteran Disney director Robert Stevenson (Mary Pippins, The Love Bug, The Darn Cat ) and starring the incomparable Angela Landsbury (Murder She Wrote, Mame - on Broadway, The Last Unicorn 2004) as Miss Elglentine Price the apprentice witch of the Professor Emiliace Brown School Of Witchcraft - played none other by veteran Disney character performer/actor David Tomlinson (Tom Jones, The Love Bug, Made In Heaven). There is even a great performance in a small role as a priest by Roddy McDowell (Planet Of The Apes, Cleopatra, Fright Night)

The story is set in the early days of the German attack on the European border. Towns were broken down, families were separated and displaced and many people had to go to war and leave their children behind. One set of these children were orphaned with Miss Price. Accidentally discovering her secret they convince her to go on her quest to find the one last spell that will save England from attack.

There is magic, music and lot of special effects that make this movie colorful and enticing to watch. Back in the days when most special effects were real and done "in cameras" - meaning on the set - this film has a lot to be proud of.

The songs are fantastic and this FULLY RESTORED DVD is the best it has to offer. Included the full versions of songs like Portabello Road and reinserted songs like No One To Come Home To has made this version a treasure to own. Other fantastic numbers like Substitutiary Locomotion and Under The Briny Sea are fantastic and hitting home for kids is the Academy Award Nominated song Your At The Age Of Not Believing.

Originally rushed out and thought to be too long - this version contains the full - over two hours - theatrical release as it was originally intended. The DVD extras include a documentary retrospective with co-host Angela Landsbury on the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, ) themselves and a look at some of the actual recording sessions with David Tomlinson. Also a reconstructed seen of a song that was recorded by Angela but all the actual film footage was lost so it could not make it into its restoration version. Lots of extra features too including two shorts. You'll love this DVD if you are a Disney fan ! Lot's of Fun!...