As social distancing measures increase and with no end to the coronavirus outbreak in the near future you may be looking for something new to watch to entertain yourself or your kids.
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary with that classic Disney charm, then consider checking out Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Welcome to Disney Plus Watch or Skip, a series where we review little known films and TV shows on Disney+ to give you a guide on what is and isn't worth watching.
The development of the original Mary Poppins was a very difficult process, and until the final deal was signed for Disney to acquire the rights it was uncertain if the movie would ever get made. Walt Disney, not wanting to take that chance, began developing an alternate movie also based on a popular English children's book.
The film ended up not being made during Walt's life, but much of it had already been created, including several songs, allowing it to be revisited much later on.
Watching the film is kind of like watching an alternate universe's version of Mary Poppins. The tone of both films are similar, the musical style is near identical with both being written by the Sherman Brothers. Both have sequences combining animation and live-action characters. Both feature a magical English woman who goes on adventures with a group of children. The similarities go on.
If you love Mary Poppins you will almost certainly love Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Angela Lansbury leads a stellar cast through a fun premise and the special effects have definitely improved since Mary Poppins. The score, while not as strong as Mary Poppins, is certainly a good one, and one of the best from its era of Disney films.
There certainly are a few differences though. This film features a WWII setting and even pits the main characters against an invading Nazi force.
This film is a gem in an era that produced so many sub-par films and is definitely worth watching for any Disney fan. It is emblematic of the "What would Walt do?" that defined the type of films that were made in this era. It is one of few that lives up to his name.
What do you think of Bedknobs and Broomsticks? What classic film have you discovered or rediscovered on Disney+? Let us know in the comments below!
The best childrens movie ever made, a movie full of magic and hope.
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