Is Bedknobs and Broomsticks Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 117 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1971, Bedknobs and Broomsticks emerges as a significant entry in the Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family, Music, Animation domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Three children evacuated from London during World War II are forced to stay with an eccentric spinster. Unlike standard genre fare, Bedknobs and Broomsticks attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks features a noteworthy lineup led by Angela Lansbury . Supported by the likes of David Tomlinson and Roddy McDowall , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family, Music, Animation film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film 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 film 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. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Bedknobs and Broomsticks resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to adventure resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Bedknobs and Broomsticks reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Adventure films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Bedknobs and Broomsticks Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of Bedknobs and Broomsticks
- Angela Lansbury – Miss Price
- David Tomlinson – Emelius
- Roddy McDowall – Mr. Jelk
- Sam Jaffe – Bookman
- John Ericson – Col. Heller
Top Highlights
Angela LansburyMiss Price
David TomlinsonEmelius
Roddy McDowallMr. Jelk
Sam JaffeBookman
John EricsonCol. Heller
Bruce ForsythSwinburne
Cindy O'CallaghanCarrie
Roy SnartPaul
Ian WeighillCharlie
Tessie O'SheaMrs. Hobday
Where to Watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Disney Plus🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is rated G.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7/10, and global collection metrics, Bedknobs and Broomsticks stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1971 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedknobs and Broomsticks movie hit or flop?
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy movies.
Is Bedknobs and Broomsticks worth watching?
Yes, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy cinema.
Where can I watch Bedknobs and Broomsticks online?
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is currently available for streaming on Disney Plus. You can also check for it on platforms like Disney Plus depending on your region.
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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.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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