Parent reviews for Bedknobs and Broomsticks

I was a little apprehensive about showing this movie to my kids (7 and 4), but I was delighted to find it just as funny and engaging as I remembered from my own childhood. I see others expressing concern about the context…Nazis, the Blitz, children leaving London. Honestly, our kids accepted our brief explanations at face value. We educate them about history using other tools - this is just a fun movie, with a great role model in Ms. Price (Angela Lansbury). There were no huge “cringe” moments that jumped out at me watching this movie 30 years later. The Portobello Road scene glorifies colonialism a bit..but it’s not central to the movie. The ending scenes where the Nazis come on land has a lot of guns and shooting, which we likely would not see in a kids movie today. I am touchy about gun scenes in kid movies. However, this is SO comedically well done, and literally no one is hurt. My 4.5yo, who gets scared at a lot of movie scenes, was literally rolling on the floor laughing at the crazy antics of the magically animated medieval suits of armor as they beat back the small Nazi force. So much fun!

I do not think I have ever watched this film, although I feel that traveling magically on a bed is the ultimate dream for any kid. So it feels like I have dreamed of this film even thought I have never watched it. Lansbury is a gem in this film and Tomlinson is a close second. I would have scored this film higher except for a few antiquated and damaging gender depictions and the violence around the Nazis are a bit difficult to stomach. But again Lansbury is the reason to watch this film, she dominates every moment she is onscreen.

I had watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks as a young child. I didn't fully grasp the historical context, but i don't think that is exceptionally important. As a child, i understood they wanted to win a war using magic and that was the basic premise of the movie. It has a unique storyline and catchy songs with lots of dancing. Fun for all ages!

This is a brilliant and funny adventure that is a perfect first live action movie. While my 4 year old didn't follow every reference to the war, she was transfixed but the take of magic and possibility. Many emphasized their concern about the depiction of WWII times and the Nazis. Certainly every parent knows their kids best. But I feel that the movie treats the subject matter relatively lightly and matter-of-factly. I think kids are resilient, can understand these topics and are empowered by knowing the truth about such things. All of my children were already aware of significant historical moments like WWII. It is empowering for kids to know that even when sad or bad things like war happen, they can make a difference. All that said, they do show a battle of an invading army against a magic army of empty Knight's armor. Also, the children are orphans.

I disagree with other parent reviews, this movie is not that scary, but i recommend watching the final scene yourself first to judge for your own kids. It is a fun movie for all ages, but a brief explanation of WWII would help before watching. My 6 year old called the Nazis "snotsies" because they are the bad guys, lol.

I am against the Nazis being put in kids movies and shows. I mean, watch Sound of Music, Wonder Woman, an episode of Captain Planet or this. These are all examples of Nazis in family media. Why are you glorifying them? It makes you wonder why they put Nazis in things aimed at families, but never Hirohito, Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Un or Mussolini.

Nice effects from that time, but can be too long for some since the movie is over 2 hours long. Some slapstick. Good for a long boring Weekend for the whole family. Along came the modern knockoff Animal Soccer.

It requires a detailed historical backgrounder beforehand (WWII, Nazis, evacuating children from London, etc.) and sometimes during. Also, everyone has an English accent, and several are quite thick (including the children). My kids didn't fully understand many of the main details: that Ms. Price isn't their mother, that the village they're sent to isn't London, etc. That said, they mostly enjoyed it. They laughed at the soccer game on the Isle of Naboombu and the final battle against the invading Germans. My 7yo was initially very frightened when Ms. Price looks out the door and sees Nazi soldiers staring at her, so here's a pro tip: after Mr. Browne leaves for the train station, right when Ms. Price starts to put the cat out for the night, pause it and warn younger children what's about to happen.

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.