Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Paul is the only one who can use the bedknob because he was the one who handed it to Miss Price earlier. The transportation spell only works for the person who originally gave the bedknob to Miss Price, which is why the other children cannot use it for magical travel.

Foreshadowing: Paul's act of handing Miss Price the bedknob earlier establishes the magical bond that later allows him to use it.

• bedknob
• paul
• transportation spell
• magic rules

Miss Price needs the Substitutiary Locomotion spell to help Britain fight the Nazis. This spell allows her to animate inanimate objects, which she plans to use as a magical weapon to defend the country during World War II.

Foreshadowing: Miss Price mentions early on that she is learning witchcraft through correspondence courses to assist Britain in the war effort.

• substitutiary locomotion
• miss price
• spell
• wwii
• nazis

The Star of Astaroth is a powerful magical medallion formerly owned by the sorcerer Astaroth, who used it to perform dangerous experiments on animals, giving them human-like traits. The bookseller on Portobello Road explains this sinister history, and the medallion later comes into King Leonidas's possession on Naboombu.

Foreshadowing: The lore about Astaroth's experiments establishes the medallion as a significant magical artifact with a dark past.

• star of astaroth
• medallion
• astaroth
• magical artifact
• naboombu

The Nazis attack to disrupt crucial communication lines along the coast. German operatives are specifically targeting communication infrastructure, and Miss Price's home becomes a target during their invasion of the area.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Mr. Browne encounters Nazi agents who aim to disrupt communications along the coast.

• nazis
• attack
• coast
• communications
• invasion

Miss Price defeats the Nazi soldiers by casting Substitutiary Locomotion to animate the museum's displays. Suits of armor and military outfits come to life, forming an army that expels the German soldiers from the building and reclaims their safe haven.

Foreshadowing: Miss Price previously practiced the spell at home, establishing her ability to animate objects when needed.

• substitutiary locomotion
• nazis
• museum
• animated objects
• battle

Miss Price's workshop is destroyed during the final battle with the Nazi soldiers. While the animated objects successfully drive the enemy away, the fighting causes significant damage to her workshop, bringing her career as a witch to a heartbreaking conclusion.

Foreshadowing: The chaotic nature of Substitutiary Locomotion when first practiced foreshadows the destructive potential of magical combat.

• workshop
• destroyed
• nazis
• battle
• damage

Mr. Browne leaves because he enlists in the military to fight in World War II. Though he has formed strong bonds with Miss Price and the children, he feels compelled to join the war effort alongside the local Home Guard.

Foreshadowing: Mr. Browne's earlier encounter with Nazi agents and his growing sense of responsibility establish his eventual decision to enlist.

• browne
• enlist
• military
• farewell
• wwii

Naboombu has a strict "no humans" policy enforced by royal decree. When the enchanted bed arrives with the group, a bear discovers it and reports their presence to King Leonidas, who subsequently summons them to explain their intrusion.

Foreshadowing: The lore about Naboombu discovered in the storybook hints at the island's isolation and magical nature.

• naboombu
• humans
• policy
• king leonidas
• island

Miss Price reveals her witchcraft after the children witness her clumsy attempt to fly on a broomstick. Seeing this, they decide not to flee back to London, and in return for their discretion about her magical abilities, she offers them the use of the enchanted bedknob.

Foreshadowing: The children's initial plan to escape to London provides the context for Miss Price's decision to share her secret.

• witchcraft
• revealed
• broomstick
• children
• discretion

King Leonidas forces Mr. Browne to referee a high-stakes football match as a condition for the group's presence on Naboombu. Using his authority as king and his possession of the Star of Astaroth, Leonidas commands the game under royal decree.

Foreshadowing: The group's arrival on Naboombu as uninvited humans sets up the confrontation with the king.

• football
• king leonidas
• naboombu
• match
• star of astaroth

Miss Price's correspondence school closing is crucial because it prevents her from learning the final spell she needs: Substitutiary Locomotion. Without completing this course, she cannot master the spell required to help Britain fight the Nazis, forcing her to seek out Professor Browne in London.

Foreshadowing: The letter about the school's closure arrives early in the film, directly triggering the trip to London.

• correspondence school
• closing
• miss price
• spell
• education

While drifting at sea, the enchanted bed accidentally becomes a winning entry in an underwater dance contest. The spectacular dance moves performed by Mr. Browne and Miss Price on the bed impress the judges enough to win the competition.

Foreshadowing: The whimsical nature of the bed's magical properties sets up this unexpected adventure.

• enchanted bed
• dance contest
• underwater
• naboombu
• winning

The children initially want to return to London because they are orphaned war refugees who feel lost and disconnected in the countryside. They miss their old life and are desperate to flee back to the city, even during the dangerous Blitz.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with the children's evacuation from London during the Blitz, establishing their emotional state.

• children
• london
• escape
• war
• orphaned

When Miss Price first successfully casts Substitutiary Locomotion, the animated objects spiral out of control because she has not yet mastered the spell. The objects begin moving chaotically throughout the house, threatening the household and prompting fears that the children might need to be relocated.

Foreshadowing: Miss Price's incomplete magical training from the correspondence school explains her lack of control over the powerful spell.

• substitutiary locomotion
• out of control
• spell
• animated objects
• chaos