BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (1971) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Robert Stevenson

Written by - Ralph Wright, Ted Berman, Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi (based on the book by Mary Norton)

Starring - Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe, John Ericson

"Bedknobs and Broomsticks is set during the Second World War, and follows three young kids who are forced to flee their London homes and live with a British woman in the countryside. Little do they know that the woman is an apprentice witch, who will lead them through adventures in seeking the words of a spell that may help Britain win the war. 

The story of the film, based on a book by Mary Norton is very exciting. Angela Lansbury is perfectly cast as the motherly and very British apprentice witch. There are also some nice sequences, that particularly show great technical advancements of its times by mixing live action with animations. It also features a few memorable songs, which is expected from any average Walt Disney production, particularly from the time. 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is not completely free of unfavourable signs of ageing, and pales in comparison to other similar classics such as Mary Poppins or even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This is mostly because it widely plays it more safe and despite its forays in the darker sides of the plot, it is quite conventionally structured."

Adventure, USA