Bedknobs and Broomsticks
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- Rated: G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Release Year: 1971
- Running Time: 140 minutes
Common Sense Media says
Delightful Disney charmer may be too long for youngest.
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- Rated: G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Release Year: 1971
- Running Time: 140 minutes
What parents need to know
Educational value
Positive role models
Violence & scariness
Sexy stuff
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
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.
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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?
QUALITY
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.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the difference between fantasy and reality, since it may not be clear to many kids.
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?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | December 13, 1971 |
| DVD release date: | March 20, 2001 |
| Cast: | Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall |
| Director: | Robert Stevenson |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Topics: | Magic and fantasy, Adventures, Book characters |
| Run time: | 140 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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QUALITY
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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QUALITY
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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QUALITY
Appalled that a movie from my childhood has references to true evil
First of all, in a world full of subtle inappropriate content, many failed to notice that the whole premise is based on the book they are seeking. You can check the references yourself, I even find it distasteful to write it here, it is the title of the half book she has from the start of the movie. Also, the references to 'witchcraft' imply paganism. I was actually appalled when I watched part of this with my five year old son thinking it a fun movie from my childhood. Thank the Lord I am educated and armoured to see the scary and subtle messages in this movie. And we wonder what is wrong with our world...parents, be on your guard if you care about the well-being of your children.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
Safety and privacy concerns
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