Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Ralph Wright (animation story) &
Ted Berman (animation story) ...

Release Date:

13 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical | War

Tagline:

You'll beWITCHED! You'll beDAZZLED! You'll be swept into a world of enchantment BEYOND ANYTHING BEFORE!

Plot:

An apprentice witch, 3 kids and a cynical conman search for the missing component to a magic spell useful to the defence of Britain.

Plot Keywords:

Substitutiary Locomotion | Orphan | Cockney Accent | Raid | Bed

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Angela Lansbury	...	Miss Price
David Tomlinson	...	Emelius
Roddy McDowall	...	Mr. Jelk
Sam Jaffe	...	Bookman
John Ericson	...	Col. Heller
Bruce Forsyth	...	Swinburne
Cindy O'Callaghan	...	Carrie
Roy Snart	...	Paul
Ian Weighill	...	Charlie
Tessie O'Shea	...	Mrs. Hobday
Arthur Gould-Porter	...	Capt. Greer (as Arthur E. Gould-Porter)
Ben Wrigley	...	Portobello Rd. Workman
Reginald Owen	...	Gen. Teagler
Cyril Delevanti	...	Elderly Farmer
Rick Traeger	...	German Sergeant

Also Known As:

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 25th Anniversary Special Edition (USA) (longer version)

Runtime:

117 min | USA:139 min (restored version) (1996) | 99 min (re-release) (1980) | Germany:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (25th anniversary special edition) | Mono (RCA Sound Recording) (original release)

Certification:

Portugal:M/4 | New Zealand:G | Peru:PT | Brazil:Livre | West Germany:o.Al. | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

This is the last feature film that longtime Disney studio songwriters Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman wrote songs for until The Tigger Movie (2000)

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The closing shot of a newspaper article shows the word "rumor", which is spelled "rumour" in England, where the film is set.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Captain Ainsley Greer: You there, which way to Pepperidge Eye?
Workman: Couldn't say, sir. It said on the wireless to paint out the sign posts in case the Nazis drop in.
Captain Ainsley Greer: I'm not a Nazi, I'm a British officer!
Workman: That's what you'd say if you *was* a Nazi, isn't it sir?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Nurses: Jumpin' Jack Flash (#2.24)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

The Beautiful Briny

One of the few films so good...

This is one of the few films where I consider the film rendition to be an improvement on the original book. The story is clear, accessible, amusing and interesting and the musical numbers are without a doubt exceptional. I adored the cyclical rendition of 'The old home guard' and the charming 'Portobello Road', a great combination of early animation + real actors techniques which, though dated do not detract from the charm of the piece. The background of the Second World War worked well and was not omitted as the film got under way, which so often happens in 'evacuee' stories.

An often far too underrated film, it produces no end to enjoyment for people of all ages. The performances from the actors are exceptionally well done and the entire text is neatly tied together and well designed. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face!