Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Movie Overview: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
| Movie | Bedknobs and Broomsticks |
| Release Year | 1971 |
| Director | Robert Stevenson |
| Genre | Family / Animation / Fantasy |
| Runtime | 117 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Bedknobs and Broomsticks are led by Angela Lansbury . The supporting cast, including David Tomlinson and Roddy McDowall , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Bedknobs and Broomsticks stands out as a strong entry in the Family genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Family narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Bedknobs and Broomsticks has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Family fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1971, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a Family, Animation, Fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Angela Lansbury.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Three children evacuated from London during World War II are forced to stay with an eccentric spinster. The children's initial fears disappear when they find out she is in fact a trainee witch. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Angela Lansbury's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Ending Explained: Directed by Robert Stevenson, Bedknobs and Broomsticks resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core family themes developed throughout the film.
The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Angela Lansbury. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the family themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Bedknobs and Broomsticks reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Angela Lansbury or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $17.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Budget
The estimated production budget for Bedknobs and Broomsticks is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeBedknobs and Broomsticks Parents Guide & Age Rating
1971 AdvisoryWondering about Bedknobs and Broomsticks age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Bedknobs and Broomsticks is 117 minutes (1h 57m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1971 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedknobs and Broomsticks worth watching?
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Bedknobs and Broomsticks parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Bedknobs and Broomsticks identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Bedknobs and Broomsticks?
The total duration of Bedknobs and Broomsticks is 117 minutes, which is approximately 1h 57m long.
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Critic Reviews for Bedknobs and Broomsticks
When I was younger, I used to spend a lot of my life alone in a studio with one of those tiny little 15cm TVs you wouldn't be caught dead with nowadays, plugged in to a VCR player, and exactly three movies on VHS. One of those three movies (the best of those three) was _Bedknobs and Broomsticks_. I watched it multiple times a day, every day, for months at a time. A period piece musical that saw orphans and their witch-friend get an army of sentient suits of armour to fight the Nazis... Is it any bloody wonder I turned out the way I did? Great movie though. Wouldn't kill me to see a remake with modern technology. So long as it kept the vibe and setting of the original. _Final rating:★★★★ - Very strong appeal. A personal favourite._
It's very much in the vein of "Mary Poppins" (1964) this, with a very similar style of live-action and animated sequences used to tell a slightly more menacing story. When three siblings arrive in a rural English village, evacuated from London during the Blitz of WWII, they are placed with the rather eccentric and definitely unwilling "Miss Price" (Angela Lansbury). Things start to look up for all concerned though when the kids discover that she is a trainee witch, and when they meet "Emelius" (David Tomlinson) they embark on some adventures using their magical bed as their vehicle in the search for the missing part of a substitutiary locomotion spell that might just thwart the Nazis. As with "Poppins", the music and lyrics come from the Sherman twins and "Beautiful Briny" and "Portobello Road" are probably the two best from their not so catchy soundtrack this time. Lansbury and Tomlinson work well together with the former on good form as the ostensibly prim and proper, but actually quite feisty and mischievous would-be witch. The three youngsters also perform well, especially the youngest "Paul" (Roy Snart) who just won't let anyone else near the knob that controls the bed! A smattering of familiar faces help to keep the story bobbing along nicely and the animations, tough not so frequent as I would have liked, blend in well with some fun action scenes - especially at the end - and make for an enjoyable, feel-good, family movie.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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