Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Disney’s Forgotten Magical Journey

Often viewed as a spiritual cousin (and sometimes understudy) to Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a 1971 musical fantasy that combines whimsy, wartime grit, and good old-fashioned Disney spectacle. With a stellar performance from Angela Lansbury and the visual innovation of combining live action with animation, the film is a nostalgic oddity that hasn’t always received the attention it deserves.

Though it may lack the polish and seamless charm of Mary Poppins (which shares much of the same creative team), Bedknobs and Broomsticks is full of enchantment, wartime adventure, and sincere performances, and has earned its place as a cult favourite among Disney fans.

Plot Summary

Set in World War II-era England, the film follows Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury), a reclusive apprentice witch who reluctantly takes in three war evacuee children—Charlie, Carrie, and Paul. Eglantine is studying by correspondence under the great magician Professor Emelius Browne (David Tomlinson) in hopes of finding a spell that will help the British war effort.

With the aid of a magical bedknob (given to Paul, which allows the bed to travel anywhere), the group embarks on a magical journey to complete Eglantine’s education and recover the lost spell known as Substitutiary Locomotion, which brings inanimate objects to life. Their adventures include a visit to Portobello Road, an animated underwater kingdom, and eventually a stand against a Nazi invasion using the very magic they've been seeking.

Themes

Fantasy Meets Real-World Conflict

Unusually for a Disney film, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is set against the harsh backdrop of war. The opening scenes of evacuated children and later the German U-boat invasion provide a sombre contrast to the magical whimsy. This juxtaposition offers an allegory of escapism as a form of resilience.

Belief, Growth, and Responsibility

Each of the central characters is emotionally closed-off or sceptical at the start. Eglantine hides behind books and spells, Emelius is a conman afraid of responsibility, and the children—particularly Charlie—are streetwise and cynical. Their magical journey helps them grow, trust, and find their respective roles in the world.

Feminism and Independence

Eglantine Price is one of Disney's first truly independent female leads. She is intelligent, resourceful, and unashamedly focused on her own goals. Unlike Mary Poppins, who is an ethereal fixer, Eglantine is flawed and human, making her character arc more grounded and satisfying.

Performances and Characters

Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price

Lansbury is the heart of the film. She imbues Eglantine with dignity, wit, and warmth, even when fumbling through spells or riding a broom with comical failure. Her musical numbers, especially “The Age of Not Believing” and “Substitutiary Locomotion,” showcase her vocal and emotional range.

David Tomlinson as Emelius Browne

Best known as Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, Tomlinson returns here in a zanier, more comedic role. Emelius starts as a phony magician peddling fake spells, but becomes a sincere and brave figure. His slapstick physicality and light British charm provide comic relief and heart.

The Children

Cindy O’Callaghan (Carrie), Roy Snart (Paul), and Ian Weighill (Charlie) deliver likable, if somewhat stock, performances. Charlie’s arc from sceptical troublemaker to loyal ally adds emotional weight. Paul, with his quiet demeanour and power over the bedknob, provides the story’s magical anchor.

Musical Score

Composed by the legendary Sherman Brothers (of Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), the songs are tuneful, if not as instantly iconic as their other work. Highlights include:

“The Age of Not Believing” – A tender, bittersweet number that encapsulates the film’s emotional tone.

“Portobello Road” – A lavish production sequence that celebrates diversity and culture.

“Substitutiary Locomotion” – A rousing and quirky march that serves as the film’s magical climax.

“Eglantine” and “The Beautiful Briny Sea” – Sweet and whimsical love/magic songs.

Though the songs don’t linger in the popular consciousness like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” they serve the film well and are charming in their own right.

Visual Effects and Animation

A technical achievement for its time, the film integrates live-action and animation in its underwater dance sequence and during the Island of Naboombu segment, where the human characters interact with animated talking animals. The animation, directed by veteran Disney artist Ward Kimball, is energetic and colourful, though not quite as smooth as Mary Poppins.

The standout visual sequence is the animated soccer game, where Emelius referees a chaotic match between anthropomorphic animals. It's hilarious, fast-paced, and purely Disney in its slapstick energy.

The Substitutiary Locomotion sequence—where armour comes to life and marches against Nazi soldiers—is equally memorable, combining spooky charm and triumphant fantasy in an unexpectedly dramatic climax.

Pacing and Structure

This is where the film shows some cracks. The story unfolds in episodic bursts, with some narrative lulls in between. The extended Portobello Road number and the animated Naboombu detour, while visually engaging, stall the momentum of the central plot.

Originally intended to be over 140 minutes long, the film was significantly trimmed for theatrical release, which contributes to its occasional unevenness. Fortunately, the restored version, released in the 1990s, reinserted several deleted musical numbers and scenes, improving coherence and character development.

Tone and Style

Bedknobs and Broomsticks blends whimsy with wartime realism, fantasy with grounded emotion. Unlike many Disney films, it has a slightly darker, more mature undercurrent—not just in its war setting, but in its themes of growing up, letting go of disbelief, and the fight against literal evil.

That said, the film remains family-friendly and is full of light-hearted moments, clever wordplay, and childlike wonder.

Legacy and Cultural Footprint

Though it won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and received five nominations overall, Bedknobs and Broomsticks has always lived in the shadow of Mary Poppins. Its more somber tone and slower pace perhaps made it harder for audiences to embrace it in the same way.

However, over the years, it has gained recognition as a cult classic and a hidden gem of Disney’s golden era. Angela Lansbury’s involvement, the film’s magical sequences, and the wartime themes have helped it endure in the hearts of those who saw it as children or discovered it later.

A stage musical adaptation premiered in the UK in the early 2020s, a testament to its growing appreciation and narrative potential.

Conclusion

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a quirky, ambitious, and often charming film that deserves more praise than it typically receives. With strong performances—especially from Angela Lansbury—innovative visual effects, and memorable music, it stands as a unique entry in the Disney canon. It may not be perfect in pace or polish, but its heart, imagination, and message shine through.

It’s a story about finding courage, believing in magic, and facing down real-world evil with a little bit of witchcraft and a lot of hope.