Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

movie

G, 1971, Animation, Adventure

WISE
62%

WISE Score

66

Avg. Tomatometer

Angela Lansbury leads a charming but creaky 1971 Disney musical about magic, WWII, and a flying bed—lovely in theory, tough to sit through in practice.

IMDb7.1
RT Critics66%
MC59
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is the Disney musical your parents remember fondly but that modern kids will struggle to finish. It's got all the ingredients—magic, music, Angela Lansbury being fabulous, a flying bed, cartoon animals—but it's stitched together with the pacing of a leisurely 1971 Sunday afternoon, which is to say: slow.

The animated sequence is genuinely delightful, and there's real charm in the WWII-era story of an apprentice witch and three evacuated kids teaming up to save Britain. It's wholesome, safe, and imaginative in its way. But let's be honest: it's nearly two hours of meandering plot, dated musical numbers, and special effects that feel quaint at best. Kids raised on Encanto or even Frozen will wonder why everyone's singing so slowly.

If your family loves classic Disney or you're nostalgic for this one, it's a perfectly fine rainy-day watch. But if you're hoping for something that'll grip modern kids, this is more 'background movie at Grandma's house' than must-see.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests 7+, which feels right—younger kids might get restless during the long runtime, and the WWII context (though mild) benefits from some maturity. Teens and adults probably won't choose this unless they're nostalgic or doing a Disney deep-dive.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Classic Disney fare with themes of courage, community, and unlikely heroes banding together during WWII. Angela Lansbury's Miss Price is a strong, independent female lead who takes in evacuated children and ultimately uses her magic for good. The film models cooperation between the initially skeptical kids and adults, and resolves with warmth. Mild wartime context is handled gently without glorifying violence.

Imaginative
82

The premise—a witch-in-training using a spell to defend Britain—is delightfully creative, and the famous animated sequence on the Island of Naboombu (with anthropomorphic animals playing soccer) is genuinely inventive for its era. The mix of live-action and animation, magical bed travel, and whimsical spell components invite wonder. However, the imagination is more passive viewing than interactive exploration.

Safe
88

Common Sense Media rates it for age 7, and parent reviews confirm it's mild across the board: no sex/nudity, no profanity, minimal violence (cartoon-style animated fight, some WWII context with Nazi soldiers that's not graphic). The only cautions are brief scary moments (animated animals in conflict, some mild peril) and the length might be too much for very young kids. No surprises or content that would shock a family audience.

Enriching
68

There's historical context (WWII, evacuated children, home-front defense) that can spark conversations about bravery and resilience. Themes of self-belief, teamwork, and using your talents to help others are present. However, the film is more entertainment-focused than deeply educational, and the musical numbers and plot meander. It's sweet and has heart, but won't challenge kids intellectually or emotionally in profound ways.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Angela Lansbury is wonderful as the determined apprentice witch—a great role model for independence and resourcefulness
  • The animated Island of Naboombu sequence is genuinely fun and imaginative, mixing live-action and cartoon animals
  • Gentle introduction to WWII themes (evacuated children, home-front bravery) without graphic war content
  • Classic Disney musical numbers and old-school special effects have nostalgic charm for adults who grew up with it
  • Themes of teamwork, believing in yourself, and using your talents to help others are solid
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What to Watch For

  • It's nearly two hours long and paces like molasses—even kids who love old movies may fidget
  • The musical numbers drag, and the plot meanders through several disconnected set pieces before landing
  • Brief moments of mild peril (animated animals fighting, Nazi soldiers appearing) might startle very young or sensitive kids
  • Honestly, this is more of a 'I loved it as a kid' rewatch than a fresh discovery for 2025 families

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think Miss Price wanted to learn magic? What would you do if you could make things fly?"
  • "The kids in the movie had to leave London during the war to stay safe. How do you think that felt for them?"
  • "Which part was more fun—the real world or the animated island with the animals?"

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