Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition)
by Robert Stevenson, Les Perkins
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, John Ericson, Roddy McDowall, Sam JaffeDirector: Les Perkins, Robert Stevenson
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Color, DVD, Live, NTSC
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.66:1
Running Time: 139 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-03-20
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
DVD Reviews of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition)
DVD Review: Before there was Harry Potter...
Summary: 3 Stars
Quick, what movie features Britain in turmoil, three young children growing up under the tutelage of a sorceress, invocations of ancient demons and wizards, curse spells, and a modern school of magic that's not what it appears to be? Nope, it's not Harry Potter...it's Bedknobs and Broomsticks!
It's the beginning of World War II and Miss Price (Angela Lansbury, looking suitably spinsterish) has been saddled with three British war orphans: Charlie (Ian Weighill), Carrie (Cindy O'Callaghan) and Paul Rawlins (Roy Snart). Although she prefers to keep to herself, Price has no choice but to take them under her wing, at least until a more proper home can be found for them. As it turns out, Miss Price is a witch, a witch who hopes to help the British war effort if only she can master the final level of her training and thereby learn the spell "substitutiary locomotion."
The three orphans eventually stumble upon her secret. In an unlikely series of deals and skullduggery, Price bargains with the orphans to keep her secret in exchange for some magic, a bed knob that transforms any bed into a dimension-traveling device. Soon after, Price discovers that her tutoring via post from the mysterious Professor Emelius Browne (David Tomlinson), headmaster of the College of Witchcraft, has come to an abrupt end. Using the bed knob, Price and the three children track down Browne, who is in fact a con man that doesn't know much about magic at all.
Thus begins a quest to find the elusive substitutiary spell, first via double-dealings with a bookseller who has the other half of a mysterious spellbook, and then to an animated world of talking animals in pursuit of an amulet with the magic words inscribed upon it. Along the way, the motley band will face down the King of the Beasts, a razor-wielding thug, and of machinegun-toting Nazis.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks shows its age, both in its narrative speed and its approach to mature themes. The musical numbers often meander, with the characters speaking their lines and dance routines that are far too aggressive for the two older protagonists. There are a few misogynistic references (met with a frown by Miss Price) and...well, it's all very British, as it should be. The movie also isn't afraid to threaten the children with real harm, be it from a charging lion or a Nazi wielding a machinegun. Bad people in this movie are really bad, and there's a refreshing honesty about the whole thing.
By the time film gets around to its climax, young children will likely be bored. But what a glorious climax it is, complete with unrealistically numerous legions of animated suits of armor arrayed against the Nazis, who are there to "teach Britain a lesson." Although at times jingoistic, Bedknobs aims high and rarely sugarcoats the harsh realities of war.
This is as much a war film as it is a flight of fantasy, and in that regard Bedknobs and Broomsticks has some important lessons to teach young children. And in that regard, Miss Price and friends could teach Harry Potter a thing or two.
DVD Review: Good classic Disney DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
The DVD came in very good condition and also in a timely manner.
My daughters used to have the video years ago when they were kids, but my older daughter's three children had never seen it. So we were able to enjoy watching it again with her children and my grandchildren on the DVD.
DVD Review: A Disney Classic !
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved this movie as a child, and now enjoy it with my children...
It's magical... !
DVD Review: disney classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Classic Disney. Lansbury and Tomlinson are in fine form. We got this for or grandchildren and they loved it.DVD Review: Bednobs and Broomsticks
Summary: 5 Stars
The grandkids loved it and I did too. This is the original version and it was fun to see the actors in their younger days. Dealing with Amazon and the seller could not been easier. Thank you very much.
Description of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition)
An Academy Award(R) winner for Best Visual Effects (1971), BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS is a magical blend of live action and animation that makes it one of Disney's most enduring classics. This magical 30th anniversary edition version of the film is now yours to enjoy in digital splendor on this remastered, fully restored DVD! BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS is the enchanting story of an amateur witch who, along with three precocious orphans, flies into one fantastic adventure after another aboard a bewitched bed. The legendary Angela Lansbury is charming as the witch, and the inimitable David Tomlinson (MARY POPPINS) delights as the amusing professor whose help Lansbury and the children enlist in order to find an ancient incantation that will save the country from hostile invaders! This special edition BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS DVD includes many bonus features and is sure to be a film the entire family will want to watch again and again!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
Feature Films DVDs
- Genres > Animation
- General
- Classics > General
- Comedy > General
- Animation > General
- Kids & Family > 3-6 Years
- 7-9 Years
- 10-12 Years
- General
- Adapted from Books
- Adventure
- Animation
- Comedy
- Family Films
- Fantasy
- Musicals & Performing Arts > Musicals > Classics
- Comedy
- Science Fiction & Fantasy > General
- Fantasy > Fantasy Adventures
- Animation
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in Feature Films DVDs
The Jungle Book (40th Anniversary Platinum Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2007-10-02; DVD
Best price: $13.25
Price in other shops:
![Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Watchmen-The-Ultimate-Cut-Blu-ray-B002IYEQR4-X.jpg)
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-11-10; DVD
Best price: $30.99
Price in other shops:
The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)AUBERJONOIS,RENE; Release date: 2006-10-03; DVD
Best price: $18.95
Price in other shops:
Looney Tunes - Golden CollectionLOONEY TUNES; Release date: 2003-10-28; DVD
Best price: $23.48
Price in other shops:
![Coraline (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy w/ 3D) [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Coraline-Blu-ray-DVD-Combo-Digital-Copy-w-3D-Blu-ray-B00288KNJU-X.jpg)
Coraline (Blu-ray/ DVD Combo + Digital Copy w/ 3D) [Blu-ray]FANNING,DAKOTA; Release date: 2009-07-21; DVD
Best price: $14.55
Price in other shops:
Wall-E (Single-Disc Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2008-11-18; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa (Widescreen)PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2009-02-06; DVD
Best price: $7.46
Price in other shops:
![Cars [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Cars-Blu-ray-B000V1Y43W-X.jpg)
Cars [Blu-ray]Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
Coraline (Single-Disc Edition w/ 3D)FANNING,DAKOTA; Release date: 2009-07-21; DVD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops:
Tinker Bell and the Lost TreasureBUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Robin Hood (Most Wanted Edition)Disney; Release date: 2006-11-28; DVD
Best price: $17.63
Price in other shops:
The RescuersBUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $9.91
Price in other shops:
The Gnome-MobileBUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2004-03-02; DVD
Best price: $6.85
Price in other shops:
Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2002-05-07; DVD
Best price: $12.06
Price in other shops:
The Sword in the Stone (45th Anniversary Special Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2008-06-17; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Doctor DolittleTCFHE; Release date: 2000-10-31; DVD
Best price: $7.14
Price in other shops:
Pete's Dragon (Disney Gold Classic Collection)Release date: 2001-01-16; DVD
Best price: $39.99
Mary Poppins (45th Anniversary Special Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2009-01-27; DVD
Best price: $12.86
Price in other shops:
Pete's Dragon (High-Flying Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2009-08-18; DVD
Best price: $17.43
Price in other shops:
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Full Screen Edition)VAN DYKE,DICK; Release date: 1998-11-10; DVD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops: