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- Bedknobs and Broomsticks: With a Flair
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: With a Flair
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1996
Original Running Time:
139
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
138
Time Cut:
1
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
The longer 1996 cut of the 1971 Disney classic with the worst instances of redubbed dialogue removed, a little less "With a Flair" and a lot more translation.
Intention:
Another childhood favourite of mine, I didn’t know until a few years ago that the theatrical cut (TC) of Robert Stephenson’s film had been drastically shortened before its original release to 117 minutes. I was therefore delighted to find that a 139-minute extended cut (EC) had been put together for its 25th anniversary, restoring nearly all of the missing footage. In my opinion this generally enriches the film, explaining why the children never mention their family; why Mr Jelk (the clergyman) turns up at Miss Price’s house (and why she has no patience with him) and giving significance to Mr Browne’s phrase “With a Flair”.
Unfortunately, some of the reinstated scenes were missing audio, requiring new dubbing for which only Angela Lansbury and Roddy McDowell were able to re-perform their lost dialogue. The rest required new voice actors for Mr Browne, Mrs Hobday and the children, the latter especially being quite different to the originals, along with a few cuts for my own satisfaction this edit just trims away some of the more distracting dubbing.
Unfortunately, some of the reinstated scenes were missing audio, requiring new dubbing for which only Angela Lansbury and Roddy McDowell were able to re-perform their lost dialogue. The rest required new voice actors for Mr Browne, Mrs Hobday and the children, the latter especially being quite different to the originals, along with a few cuts for my own satisfaction this edit just trims away some of the more distracting dubbing.
Additional Notes:
The very first film I ever had ideas of doing a fanedit of, only took four years of dithering to get around to it!
Other Sources:
• 2014/15 blu-ray release for TC and deleted scenes.
• 720p EC iTunes digital download.
• 2017 BBC TV broadcast of TC.
• “With a Flair” from original soundtrack album.
• 720p EC iTunes digital download.
• 2017 BBC TV broadcast of TC.
• “With a Flair” from original soundtrack album.
Special Thanks:
Massive thanks to my good friend XG for looking over sections with German dialogue and providing translations so more can be English-subtitled.
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
• Utilised blu-ray TC for most part, deleted scenes made up majority of EC-unique material but iTunes download was required (mainly) to transition into these scenes (which faded in and out of black with no bookending footage). Did best job I can to colour match so hopefully the transitions are not too distracting.
• Not all German is translated, combination of the BBC TV broadcast subtitles not being comprehensive and my German-speaking friend saying that (for a range of reasons) some of what is spoken is harder to understand. I also think that some scenes work better without it, subtitling could incorrectly imply (if only unconsciously) that a character understands the German when they don’t (e.g. as Mr Browne wakes up to the soldiers cutting wires).
• Exported Full HD H265 with 5.1 channel sound, 138-minute runtime.
• Not all German is translated, combination of the BBC TV broadcast subtitles not being comprehensive and my German-speaking friend saying that (for a range of reasons) some of what is spoken is harder to understand. I also think that some scenes work better without it, subtitling could incorrectly imply (if only unconsciously) that a character understands the German when they don’t (e.g. as Mr Browne wakes up to the soldiers cutting wires).
• Exported Full HD H265 with 5.1 channel sound, 138-minute runtime.
Cuts and Additions:
• Added FanEdit disclaimer and personal plate.
• Added back “Home Guard” deleted scene.
• Added back “Ulterior Motives” deleted scene.
• Added back “Aunt Bessie” deleted scene (only the part concerning Aunt Bessie).
• Added back “Letter for Miss Price” deleted scene.
• Added back “Extortion” deleted scene.
• Added back “With a Flair” but recut to match the more energetic version from the soundtrack album, original EC version felt quite anaemic to me and stops dead in a couple of places.
• Added back “Substitutiary Locomotion” deleted scene.
• Added back full version of “Eglantine” from deleted scenes.
• Added back full version of “Portobello Road” from deleted scenes.
• Added back scene of Swinburne pushing the bed from EC iTunes download.
• Added back “Matchmaker” deleted scene but trimmed out section with redubbed Charlie dialogue after Mr Browne exits Mrs Hobday’s shop, goes straight from Mr Jelk leaving to Mr Browne saying “Mrs Hobday is that most dangerous of species, a matchmaker!”
• Added back “Nobody’s Problems” deleted song
• Added subtitles for German dialogue that are not present on TC or EC HD sources
o Derived from a TV broadcast of the TC, a German-speaking friend of mine looked over it for additions and corrections but said that a native speaker would (obviously) give the best possible translation, open to help from anybody who wishes to offer it!
o Sized, positioned and styled (using Bell Gothic Std Heavy) as close as possible to the few original instances where subtitles are present in most versions (including blu-ray TC).
• Added “A Step in the Right Direction” to play over 1996 restoration credits, a song originally meant to play before Miss Price tries out her first broom (there is an instrumental version while she flies) that only exists in stills and audio.
• Added back “Home Guard” deleted scene.
• Added back “Ulterior Motives” deleted scene.
• Added back “Aunt Bessie” deleted scene (only the part concerning Aunt Bessie).
• Added back “Letter for Miss Price” deleted scene.
• Added back “Extortion” deleted scene.
• Added back “With a Flair” but recut to match the more energetic version from the soundtrack album, original EC version felt quite anaemic to me and stops dead in a couple of places.
• Added back “Substitutiary Locomotion” deleted scene.
• Added back full version of “Eglantine” from deleted scenes.
• Added back full version of “Portobello Road” from deleted scenes.
• Added back scene of Swinburne pushing the bed from EC iTunes download.
• Added back “Matchmaker” deleted scene but trimmed out section with redubbed Charlie dialogue after Mr Browne exits Mrs Hobday’s shop, goes straight from Mr Jelk leaving to Mr Browne saying “Mrs Hobday is that most dangerous of species, a matchmaker!”
• Added back “Nobody’s Problems” deleted song
• Added subtitles for German dialogue that are not present on TC or EC HD sources
o Derived from a TV broadcast of the TC, a German-speaking friend of mine looked over it for additions and corrections but said that a native speaker would (obviously) give the best possible translation, open to help from anybody who wishes to offer it!
o Sized, positioned and styled (using Bell Gothic Std Heavy) as close as possible to the few original instances where subtitles are present in most versions (including blu-ray TC).
• Added “A Step in the Right Direction” to play over 1996 restoration credits, a song originally meant to play before Miss Price tries out her first broom (there is an instrumental version while she flies) that only exists in stills and audio.
User reviews
3 reviews
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.7(3)
Visual Editing
9.0(3)
Audio Editing
9.7(3)
Narrative
8.7(3)
Enjoyment
10.0(3)
(Updated: June 01, 2022)
Overall rating
9.2
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
8.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
7.0
Enjoyment
10.0
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is probably my favourite Disney Classic. As a child whenever I went to my Nan's on the odd occasion it would be either this film or Starship Troopers...what do you mean age certification?....ahem, moving on.
I absolutely loved seeing all the extra footage of the Portobello Road dance scenes. I don't know why, but that particular number always makes me smile. The entertainers look as if they are all having a great time. I'm not sure how strict the choreography was, but it looks like the extras and dancers were all having a ball.
As for continuity errors, there is one glaring one, which is not the editors fault - the culprit belongs to Disney. During Mr. Emelius Browne's debut song one of the bystanders hands out his hat where Emelius drops eggs and milk. The next few shots in, the bystander has his hat back on with the milk and egg dripping down his head. I double checked the versions of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" I own and funnily enough it's even more of a continuity error in those versions. To a viewer from a narrative perspective, it seems odd that the man should even put his hat back on! So, how did it end up back on his head and why wasn't it included in the film? There must be a story behind it somewhere.
And on the subject of narrative, isn't it also funny narrative wise how the children simply trust Emelius after him singing about being a "charlatan" and a "fraud" and then cheerfully whisking them away to an abandoned mansion he's squatting in? Within minutes they are holding hands with him in Portobello Road! Since they are "Sarf Lundan" orphans, you'd think "street wise" would be within their bones....And how come Charlie and Carrie have no recollection of their parents since they must have been a few years old when they died? Anyway! I'll stop before I get carried away...it's a Disney film....and it's probably best not to focus on the subject of "realism" in a film where they all end up at the bottom of the sea where nobody gets wet and Paul is still reading his book in perfect condition! Okay....I'll stop!
Another edit that seems to stand out slightly was during the "Eglantine" number where Emelius is turned into a rabbit. Again, it seems Disney either didn't shoot the linking footage or haven't commercially released it. The editor has done the best with what is given, but it may look slightly ajar to some...I never did like that song.
Overall, the audio and visuals are brilliant. The footage is great. Of course you can tell where the additional footage changes due the colour of the print, but who cares, it's fine by me. The editor has done a great job!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Side note for British viewers 1# - Disney really didn't know the difference between a Welsh and Scottish accent back in 2001 when they re-recorded the voices. In the additional footage, Mrs Hobday's accent randomly changes to Scottish. Did Disney really think the British and American audiences were that stupid when they recorded the new voice? Who knows.
Side note for British viewers 2# - Look out for a very young Bruce Forsyth, the henchman of the strange old bookstore owner with the knife...he wouldn't be the first or last guy to be walking around with a knife in London, would he? At least Disney got that spot on! And for such a family friendly film, they certainly liked weapons; shotguns, rifles, machine guns, swords, knives....I'm pretty sure it still has a U (child friendly) rating so there's no wonder why my old Nan couldn't tell the difference between this and Starship Troopers haha!
I absolutely loved seeing all the extra footage of the Portobello Road dance scenes. I don't know why, but that particular number always makes me smile. The entertainers look as if they are all having a great time. I'm not sure how strict the choreography was, but it looks like the extras and dancers were all having a ball.
As for continuity errors, there is one glaring one, which is not the editors fault - the culprit belongs to Disney. During Mr. Emelius Browne's debut song one of the bystanders hands out his hat where Emelius drops eggs and milk. The next few shots in, the bystander has his hat back on with the milk and egg dripping down his head. I double checked the versions of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" I own and funnily enough it's even more of a continuity error in those versions. To a viewer from a narrative perspective, it seems odd that the man should even put his hat back on! So, how did it end up back on his head and why wasn't it included in the film? There must be a story behind it somewhere.
And on the subject of narrative, isn't it also funny narrative wise how the children simply trust Emelius after him singing about being a "charlatan" and a "fraud" and then cheerfully whisking them away to an abandoned mansion he's squatting in? Within minutes they are holding hands with him in Portobello Road! Since they are "Sarf Lundan" orphans, you'd think "street wise" would be within their bones....And how come Charlie and Carrie have no recollection of their parents since they must have been a few years old when they died? Anyway! I'll stop before I get carried away...it's a Disney film....and it's probably best not to focus on the subject of "realism" in a film where they all end up at the bottom of the sea where nobody gets wet and Paul is still reading his book in perfect condition! Okay....I'll stop!
Another edit that seems to stand out slightly was during the "Eglantine" number where Emelius is turned into a rabbit. Again, it seems Disney either didn't shoot the linking footage or haven't commercially released it. The editor has done the best with what is given, but it may look slightly ajar to some...I never did like that song.
Overall, the audio and visuals are brilliant. The footage is great. Of course you can tell where the additional footage changes due the colour of the print, but who cares, it's fine by me. The editor has done a great job!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Side note for British viewers 1# - Disney really didn't know the difference between a Welsh and Scottish accent back in 2001 when they re-recorded the voices. In the additional footage, Mrs Hobday's accent randomly changes to Scottish. Did Disney really think the British and American audiences were that stupid when they recorded the new voice? Who knows.
Side note for British viewers 2# - Look out for a very young Bruce Forsyth, the henchman of the strange old bookstore owner with the knife...he wouldn't be the first or last guy to be walking around with a knife in London, would he? At least Disney got that spot on! And for such a family friendly film, they certainly liked weapons; shotguns, rifles, machine guns, swords, knives....I'm pretty sure it still has a U (child friendly) rating so there's no wonder why my old Nan couldn't tell the difference between this and Starship Troopers haha!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
D
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
A really seamless but much appreciated fanedit of an oft-forgotten classic. The craftsmanship is impeccable and it really adds to the experience. Can't recommend it enough.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
J
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
10.0
loved it. hope more Disney films get extended or altered edits.!!!!!!!!!!!
User Review
Format Watched?
Digital
T