Director: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, John Ericson
Ian Weighill, Cindy O'Callaghan, Roy Snart
Studio: Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00K5ZXKFM
Running Time: 117 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon
Review:
Arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack this Tuesday August 12, 2014 is the 1971 Disney classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks, with an all-new digital transfer. Bonus features include Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers, Five Enchanted Deleted and Extended Songs, Eight Magical Deleted and Extended Scenes, David Tomlinson Recording Sessions, Song Selections and The Wizards of Special Effects.
Based on the book by Mary Norton, Bedknobs and Broomsticks was released to theaters in 1971, but was edited to fit into a 2-hour slot. The film was heavily edited for the 1979 re-release. In 1996, the film was reconstructed on VHS in its original intended 139 version.
Set during WWII, the film centers on Eglantine Price (played by Angela Lansbury) taking in three orphans, Charlie (played by Ian Weighill), Paul (played by Roy Snart), and Carrie (played by Cindy O'Callaghan). Just after arriving, they learn that Miss Price is an apprentice witch!
Miss Price has been studying witchcraft through a correspondence course, but she never received the last spell of the course. By enchanting a bedknob, Miss Price along with the three children fly on a magical bed to London, where they meet up with Emelius Browne (played by David Tomlinson), the headmaster of the witchcraft school. To their surprise, they learn that Mr. Browne is nothing more than a con-artist, who had created the course from an old book. Desperate to have the last spell of the course, Miss Price and the children take Mr. Browne on the adventure to recover the book.
While I have heard about Bedknobs and Broomsticks, I have never watched the film until reviewing the Blu-ray this week. The film is similar to Mary Poppins, which both films blended live-action with animation. Despite winning an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, the film was a flop at the box-office in 1971. Thanks to VHS, DVDs and now the Blu-ray release, the movie has become just as popular as Mary Poppins. Speaking of VHS, after hearing about the reconstruction version I was disappointed that it wasn't included in the Blu-ray, which only has the original theatrical version. Overall, the Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Special Edition is a fun family-friendly adventure.
*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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