Escape to Witch Mountain, written by Alexander Key, is a thrilling science fiction story that captivates readers with its magical and mysterious plot. The book tells the story of two extraordinary siblings, Tony and Tia, who possess supernatural powers and are unaware of their true origins. After their foster parents pass away, Tony and Tia find themselves on a quest to uncover the truth about themselves and their past. Escaping from their orphanage, they embark on a journey to Witch Mountain, a place where they believe they have a connection. Along the way, they encounter a range of challenges and obstacles, including individuals who attempt to exploit their unique abilities for personal gain. As Tony and Tia make their way to Witch Mountain, they discover more about their extraordinary powers.
Escape to Witch Mountain and its many adaptations are nostalgic classics. Alexander Key’s novel is available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog and has been previously blogged on here. The film and TV adaptations are not available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog. If you’re local to the area, Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and Race to Witch Mountain (2009) are available at the Chapel Hill and the Durham Public Libraries and could make an interesting back-to-back screening of two adaptations thirty-four years apart.
The child actors who play Tony and Tia aren t perfect physical matches for their book counterparts who are supposed to look unearthly with their olive-skin and light hair. The child actors who play Tony and Tia aren t perfect physical matches for their book counterparts who are supposed to look unearthly with their olive-skin and light hair.
As Tony and Tia make their way to Witch Mountain, they discover more about their extraordinary powers. Tia, in particular, possesses telepathic abilities and can communicate with animals. Their bond as siblings strengthens throughout the story, and they rely on each other as they face both physical and emotional threats.
Lights, Camera, Novel: Alexander Key’s Escape to Witch Mountain.
If you’re in the right age bracket, you might remember Escape to Witch Mountain from your childhood. Which format and version you recall depends on your generation. Novelist Alexander Key first wrote the book in 1967. Key began his career as a well-known illustrator who eventually transitioned into writing. His writing can be described as science fiction for kids. Key was born in Maryland and spent many years in Florida before moving to the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and son. A fan page on Key says that he and his family made the move after they “decided Florida was growing too fast.” Much of Key’s work is currently out-of-print. Escape to Witch Mountain is one of Key’s best known titles. The book tells the story of orphans Tony and Tia who possess supernatural gifts and are on the hunt to figure out their origins before the evil Lucas Deranian reaches them first.
In 1975, Disney released a film adaptation of the novel directed by John Hough, which, at the time, became one of their most popular live-action movies. The movie follows the basic plot from beginning to end with some noticeable modifications. First, the setting was relocated from the East coast to the West coast, where the movie was filmed. In the novel, Father O’Day helps the children on their quest and protects them from Deranian. In the movie, O’Day plays the same role, but his character is a widower named Jason O’Day. Deranian is the central villain in the novel, whereas in the movie he becomes ancillary to his mastermind boss, Aristotle Bolt. The child actors who play Tony and Tia aren’t perfect physical matches for their book counterparts who are supposed to look unearthly with their olive-skin and light hair. Instead, they look like wholesome child actors.
The movie’s portrayal is much lighter and more innocent: Miss. Grindley is kinder and Truck, a bully at the orphanage, is much less threatening. Yet the most surprising change is Tia speaking. Muteness is a major feature of her character. In the novel, Tia is seen as an oddity because she does not speak out loud. Instead, she carries a pad and pen around to communicate with other people. She is able to converse with her brother telepathically.
Disney created a sequel called Return from Witch Mountain in 1978, also directed by John Hough. The same child actors, Ike (now known as Iake) Eisenmann and Kim Richards, reprized their roles as slightly older Tony and Tia. Bette Davis and Christopher Lee starred as the movie’s villains who hoped to manipulate the siblings’ powers. Four years later, Disney released yet another sequel, Beyond Witch Mountain with a new director. By this time, the original Tony and Tia has grown out of the roles and were recast. The plot appears to pick up from after the original 1975 Escape from Witch Mountain adaptation and it ignores the story-line from the 1978 Return from Witch Mountain. This second sequel was created as a pilot for a possible TV series. But since no networks expressed interest, no other episodes were filmed.
Over a decade later, in 1995, Disney remade Escape to Witch Mountain as a made-for-TV movie. The movie shared some elements with Key’s story, like orphaned siblings with powers (renamed Danny and Anna). Most of the TV movie departed from the original plot though, for instance Danny and Anna are initially separated. Finally, in 2009 Disney produced its latest rendition, called Race to Witch Mountain with Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb and Carla Gugino. Like the 1995 adaptation, Race only shares some passing similarities to Key’s novel and the 1975 film. Adolescent Tony and Tia were remodeled as teenaged Seth and Sara. As the years passed, it seems that each revision departed further from the original, maybe as a means to refresh and modernize the story, while still maintaining essential characters and motivations.
Escape to Witch Mountain and its many adaptations are nostalgic classics. Alexander Key’s novel is available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog and has been previously blogged on here. The film and TV adaptations are not available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog. If you’re local to the area, Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and Race to Witch Mountain (2009) are available at the Chapel Hill and the Durham Public Libraries and could make an interesting back-to-back screening of two adaptations thirty-four years apart.
Comments Off on Lights, Camera, Novel: Alexander Key’s Escape to Witch Mountain.
Over a decade later, in 1995, Disney remade Escape to Witch Mountain as a made-for-TV movie. The movie shared some elements with Key’s story, like orphaned siblings with powers (renamed Danny and Anna). Most of the TV movie departed from the original plot though, for instance Danny and Anna are initially separated. Finally, in 2009 Disney produced its latest rendition, called Race to Witch Mountain with Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb and Carla Gugino. Like the 1995 adaptation, Race only shares some passing similarities to Key’s novel and the 1975 film. Adolescent Tony and Tia were remodeled as teenaged Seth and Sara. As the years passed, it seems that each revision departed further from the original, maybe as a means to refresh and modernize the story, while still maintaining essential characters and motivations.
The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of family. Through their adventures and interactions with others, Tony and Tia learn about the importance of accepting oneself and celebrating the differences that make them special. They also learn that family is not defined strictly by blood ties but also by the connections and bonds formed through shared experiences. Escape to Witch Mountain is a captivating and magical read that appeals to readers of all ages. Its combination of adventure, mystery, and the supernatural makes it a page-turner from start to finish. Key's vivid descriptions and well-built characters bring the story to life, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth behind Tony and Tia's origins. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or simply enjoy a thrilling and heartwarming tale, Escape to Witch Mountain is a must-read..
Reviews for "Unearthing the Hidden Powers of Witch Mountain: The Themes and Symbolism in Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I found "Escape to Witch Mountain" to be extremely underwhelming. The plot was predictable and lacking in depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. The overall pacing of the film was slow and dragged on at times, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the special effects were outdated and took away from the overall viewing experience. Overall, I was disappointed with this film and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1/5 stars - "Escape to Witch Mountain" was an absolute bore. The story was uninteresting and failed to capture my attention. The acting was mediocre at best, with the performances feeling forced and unnatural. The dialogue was cliché and lacked any depth or originality. The special effects were laughably bad and did not hold up to modern standards. I found myself counting down the minutes until this movie was over. Save yourself the time and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was expecting more from "Escape to Witch Mountain", but unfortunately, it fell short. The plot was weak and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow along with the storyline. The acting was average at best, with some performances bordering on wooden. The special effects were outdated and failed to create any sense of wonder or awe. Overall, I was unimpressed with this film and would not recommend it to others looking for an engaging and entertaining experience.