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I have a habit of talking about my parents
a lot in my reviews, but admittedly I really
can’t thank them enough for making
me the well rounded person I am today. From
them I learned that ‘imagination is
far more important than knowledge’
and because of the one little nugget of
truth I have never grown past ‘the
age of not believing…’
I was pretty young when I first saw “Bedknobs
and Broomsticks” and to this day it
is one of my favorite Disney movies. I was
thoroughly enchanted by Angela Lansburys’
Eglantine Price, a wannabe witch hoping
to learn enough about magic to turn the
tide of World War II. The film is full of
wonderful songs (which prompted me to buy
the album when it came out… that I
still have…), very good special effects
(for the time) and charming performances
by the cast.
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For those unfortunate enough to have never seen
“Bedknobs and Broomsticks”, the aforementioned
Miss Price lives on the English countryside in
a time of war and is taking correspondence lessons
in magic from a Professor Emelius Brown (David
Tomlinson). Little does she know at the time that
he is really a con man… and little does
he know her lessons are actually working…
sort of. However, the trouble with her lessons
are only exacerbated when she becomes the recipient
of three war orphans and together they embark
on a journey using a magical bedknob to search
out the secret of Substitutiary Locomotion.
Disney’s new DVD release of “Bedknobs
and Broomsticks”, touts that is from the
studio that brought you “Mary Poppins.”
But while there are a lot of similarities, what
with the magic and the music (and the awesome
David Tomlinson), some may find that this film
isn’t quite as good as “Poppins.”
However, I love both films and would never step
back from recommending either.
I’m thrilled to see “Bedknobs and
Broomsticks” being re-released on DVD as
it deserves more attention that it has gotten
over the years. Few people I spoke to had even
heard of it prior to this release (for shame!).
Thankfully this is also a very good edition in
that it has been remastered, giving it a much
sharper and cleaner image than its 2001 release.
This version includes all of the features from
the earlier edition, most notably in that it still
offers the full, uncut movie, which had been shortened
way back when it was originally released.
Amongst the features, you’ll find “Music
Magic”, which focuses on the Sherman Brothers
(who also wrote the songs for “Mary Poppins”)
as well as a ‘reconstruction’ of the
song “A Step in the Right Direction”
which had been cut early on. There is also a very
short snippet of a recording session with Tomlinson.
New to this release is “Wizards of Special
Effects.” Here actress Jennifer Stone (Disney’s
“Wizards of Waverly Place”) looks
at some of the special effects that were used
in the movie.
This new release of “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”
is a must own - if you don’t already have
it in your collection. Actually, even if you do,
you still might want to pick it up for the improved
sound and picture! Now on to NABOOMBU!!
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy
McDowell, Sam Jaffe, John Ericson
Extras: The Wizards of Special Effects; A Step
in the Right Direction – Reconstruction;
Music Magic; David Tomlinson “Portebello
Road” Recording Session
Specifications: Widescreen (1.66:1); Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Disney
Release Date: 9/8/2009
MPAA Rating: G
http://www.disneyDVD.com
We'll give Bedknobs & Broomsticks: Enchanted
Musical Edition an A.
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