Sexist, Anti-German, way too violent and scary for the 12 and under set. Also, what is up with the lingerie-clad woman walking on the railroad tracks? I recommend Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or the Absent-Minded Professor.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Delightful Disney charmer may be too long for youngest.
updated 09.04.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Bedknobs and Broomsticks was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this classic Disney movie, re-released for its 25th anniversary, is more than two hours long and better suited for longer attention spans or partial viewings. The framework of the movie -- World War II, Nazi invasions, and bombings in London -- is about as un-child-friendly as it gets, but the film manages to take a lighthearted approach. Main characters never seem frightened by the war or soldiers, though the children talk briefly about losing their parents to the war. The climax of the film involves a drawn-out battle between the main character and a small group of invading Nazis in which the enemy soldiers wield swords and machine guns against her. Despite this apparent violence, no blood is shed, no one is hurt, and the main character retains a smile throughout the entire battle.
Families Can Talk About
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- Talk about magic. What kind of magic do you wish you could perform and why?
- Families can talk about what makes a movie scary besides the story. How does the music or the lighting make you feel?
- Families can talk about language and accents. Did you find it difficult to understand the British accents? What other kinds of accents are you familiar with?
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More on Bedknobs and Broomsticks
What’s the Story?
Based on the book by Mary Norton (also the author of The Borrowers), this is the story of three children evacuated from London during World War II who find themselves looked after by an apprentice witch, Miss Price (Angela Lansbury). The witch has plans to save England from the Nazis by casting a special spell, which she awaits from the post office. When she receives word that the special spell will not arrive because her witchcraft correspondence college has been closed, she enchants a bedknob and, along with the children, travel by brass bed to London and eventually to the animated world of Naboombu, to find the spell. The children -- Charlie (Ian Weighill), Carrie (Cindy O'Callaghan), and Paul (Roy Snart) -- help Miss Price and her professor, Emelius Browne (David Tomlinson) wrest the spell from the rough-and-tumble animated creatures of Naboombu and then return to the real world to fight off an enemy invasion. Afterward, Miss Price retires from witchcraft and Professor Browne joins the army, but it is clear they have become a family.
Is It Any Good?
Like many classic Disney movies, including Mary Poppins, the more dynamic parts of BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS are interspersed with less compelling scenes, at least for young children. Several scenes focus entirely on adults, including a melancholy song by Miss Price about the benefits of being single, which might lose the attention of the youngest viewers. The animated portion on the island of Naboombu is lots of fun, though. Kids and adults will enjoy the exaggerated characters and their comic shenanigans as they compete in a vigorous soccer match.
But the dance routine in the middle of the movie and the dramatic final battle scene go on too long for even more developed attention spans. Also, the war-time theme and occasional sexist remarks make this film feel dated. Overall, this is a mild, family-oriented comedy about the ability of individuals to make a big difference.
Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Director: Robert Stevenson
Run time: 140 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/13/1971, DVD release: 3/20/2001
MPAA Rating: G
Run time: 140 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/13/1971, DVD release: 3/20/2001
MPAA Rating: G
Our Members Say
See 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
Not good messages for kids, and also violent, sexist and anti-German
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
Not good messages for kids, and also violent, sexist and anti-German
Sexist, Anti-German, way too violent and scary for the 12 and under set. Also, what is up with the lingerie-clad woman walking on the railroad tracks? I recommend Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or the Absent-Minded Professor.
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I rate this title on and give it
A nice change from the same ole stuff
Our 4.5 yo loves this movie and I couldn't find a single objectionable thing about it (unlike most current Disney movies). We did have to do a bit of explaining abt the presence of the soldiers at the end. The reason why the kids are at Ms. Prices' house (escaping the Blitz) went over his head completely and that was fine with me. The oldest child's accent can be a bit difficult to understand but it gave us an opportunity to talk abt how people who live in different places speak differently. Overall, we enjoyed it. I was quite surprised to find it on the shelf of my local video store. I suspect if we want to buy it, I'll turn to eBay.
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I rate this title on and give it
One of the best Disney movies ever!!
It's both touching and inspiring. A must-see for everyone!!!
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I rate this title iffy and give it
Nazis?!
I really enjoyed this movie as a child, and looked forward to being able to share it with my children. I rented it a while ago to see if I thought it was ok (refresh my memory) and I don't think it is! I think the ghost army is scary, and the Nazi's and the ghosts shoot at each other. I realize my kid is young yet, at 3 1/2, but I am just not ready to discuss Nazis, and why they are evil with him.
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I rate this title iffy and give it
Classic movie with Bizzare Nazi Imagery
I hadn't watched this in many years. The commentary on WWII seems way out of place for a family movie geared at kids.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 33% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 33% | of parents say it's too violent |
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