Playing an apprentice witch who wants desperately to help England in World War II, Lansbury shows off her singing, dancing and comic skills -- which I think even overshadow the film’s Oscar-winning special effects. It’s a special treat to see this legendary actress in top form here.
When Eglantine Price (Lansbury), who lives in a small British village, reluctantly takes in three youngsters from London, she tries to hide her witchcraft training from them. But that’s not possible, of course. It’s not long before Charlie, Carrie and Paul (played by totally believable child actors Ian Weighill, Cindy O’Callaghan, and Roy Snart) become involved in Eglantine’s patriotic plans. Lucky kids, for they get to travel with their host on a bed with a magical bedknob! Eglantine also recruits her charlatan teacher (David Tomlinson) to help find clues that will enable her to create a powerful spell called “substitutionary locomotion.” The results? A magical army no enemy could possibly match.
My only complaint about Bedknobs and Broomsticks involves inclusion of an overlong animated soccer game sequence. After watching the DVD bonus features, I’m even more upset about that. Evidently, a decision had to be reached about whether to use the soccer idea or a musical number featuring Lansbury in a Music Hall rendition of a song written especially for her by the Sherman Brothers. Too bad the wrong decision was made. One should never cut out a Lansbury number!
In Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers, a fascinating bonus item, we learn the origins of the film’s songs, including what was deleted plus what made it into the final version of the movie. Another bonus addition offers stills of Lansbury performing “A Step in the Right Direction,” which was also deleted from the film. Bummer! Wish we could have seen the actual film footage of this number. But at least we hear Lansbury’s lovely voice as the photos show up on our television screen.
The movie’s amazing special effects receive attention in a featurette hosted by Jennifer Stone from Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place. It’s interesting to see a comparison of the 1971 techniques and the ones used for Stone’s popular TV series.
I believe this Bedknobs and Broomsticks DVD will delight Angela Lansbury’s fans. It should also win her many new ones.
(Released by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and rated “G” for general audiences.)
Review also posted at ReelTalk Movie Reviews.
