Escape to Witch Mountain is a novel written by Alexander Key. It was first published in 1968 and later adapted into a movie by Disney in 1975. The book tells the story of two siblings, Tony and Tia, who possess supernatural powers. They are orphaned and live in a rural orphanage, but they soon escape and embark on a journey to find their true home. The siblings possess telepathic abilities and the power to move objects with their minds. They have always felt different from others and have longed to discover their true identity.
Escape to Witch Mountain is based on the novel by Alexander Key. Significant differences from the book include its tone and plot elements. For example, in the book, the children are befriended by Father O'Day, an embittered inner-city priest, rather than widower Jason O'Day. As such, the novel touches on religious themes, while the movie completely avoids them. In the novel, instead of the children's ship crash-landing, it is shot down, and the children are olive-skinned, with light-colored hair, rather than fair-skinned and blond. In the book, Deranian is the main antagonist; the Aristotle Bolt character and his associates are absent. The novel is explicitly set along the east coast of the United States, while the movie is non-specific about the location, although it was clearly shot at various locations on or near the California central coast between San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
During a field trip to see a movie, Tia experiences a premonition and is able to warn wealthy attorney Lucas Deranian against a potentially dangerous accident. Having come to Earth because their own planet was dying, survivors of the journey made their way to Witch Mountain and formed a community to await the surviving children, each pair in possession of a star case to help them find their way to their new home.
They have always felt different from others and have longed to discover their true identity. When they discover a mysterious map with a mountain marked on it, they become convinced that it holds the key to their past. They decide to leave the orphanage and embark on a dangerous adventure to reach Witch Mountain.
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
Like yesterday’s review of Mr. Boogedy, I had little experience with the original Escape to Witch Mountain, although it has better name recognition than the former film. The story of two alien children being hunted by a wealthy millionaire boasted serious longevity for the company, spawning a sequel, a TV movie, a remake (the 1995 remake is the version I first saw), and a feature-length version with Dwayne Johnson (that I also saw and remember little of). The original Witch Mountain may have rudimentary effects – two years later Star Wars would change the effects landscape – and has some logic flaws, but it’s an effective and exciting chase movie with great performances from its child stars.
Tony and Tia (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards) are orphans struggling to recall the details of their past. Their mysterious abilities, including telepathy, are noticed by the villainous Lucas Deranian (Donald Pleasance) who alerts his employer, the wealthy Aristotle Bolt (Ray Milland). The children escape Bolt and take refuge with a crusty old man named Jason O’Day (Eddie Albert) in the hopes he’ll take them to Witch Mountain.
If you’ve followed my Journeys in the Disney Vault series from a few years ago, the 1970s saw Disney firmly embrace their live-action unit, producing only four animated films in the entire decade. 1975, specifically, saw six movies from the studio, of which Escape to Witch Mountain is probably the best remembered of the year.
Director John Hough wouldn’t be a name you’d expect Disney to get in bed with, although based on his filmography his presence here makes sense. The year before he’d directed the car caper Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, and the fact that 80% of the film involves cars (and helicopters) chasing each other helps things make sense. He also directed 1973’s The Legend of Hell House, and would return to Disney in 1982 helming the cult classic The Watcher in the Woods. There isn’t a need for bombastic camera trickery, but Hough really loves medium zooms, either in or out, as if they just discovered that feature on the camera.
Much of Escape to Witch Mountain must be taken on blind faith, like most of the great Disney classics. I found myself with a litany of questions by the end, probably loose threads created by deviating from Alexander Key’s source material. However, events move so briskly that you can never say you’re bored by the experience. Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards aid immensely in the enjoyment of Escape to Witch Mountain. Their nearly perfect looks – especially Richards with her long, blonde California mien – are reminiscent of the children in Village of the Damned. They’re never too alien in that perfectly mannered, analytical way some children in horror/sci-fi films are. They have defined personalities, Richards, in particular.
The subsequent sequel would capitalize on big name stars establishing a bit of a come-down by appearing in a kid’s film. Donald Pleasance and Ray Milland are fun to watch in roles that feel rather ill-defined. If anything, you know who the bad guys are: old, bald, white men. Playing the typical evil millionaire, Milland’s Aristotle Bolt has a scarier sounding name than personality. We’re never clear on why he wants the children, short of making more money. For a company boasting billions their movies showed money is the root of all evil. Pleasance plays Bolt’s henchman and I wanted to see more of him. Considering he forges documents in order to adopt the children, some type with the kids playing “Uncle Lucas” would have gone a great way towards either showing him as a reluctant villain or completely devoted to Bolt. (And, for that matter, why is he so devoted to Bolt? Bolt never promises him anything…dare I say a love match?)
As the benevolent father figure, Eddie Albert conveys warmth and sincerity. Tia’s reveal of Jason’s tortured past gives a weight to his crustiness. When he asks the kids if he can consider them his own, it has resonance because we’ve watched them bond. The film’s final scene alludes to sequels, of which Albert appeared, but it’s doubtful he had the same chemistry with other child stars.
I could end with all the lingering questions the script left me with, but part of the fun is the questions. Unlike most movies, the questions don’t hinder your enjoyment but do give you a few good laughs. For instance, why did their Uncle Bene (Denver Pyle) just abandon them? The two make it to a place where all the kids are asked to gather, but if he can talk to them telepathically, why need the map at all? But the best Disney films take you on a journey, logic be damned, and that’s what this did. I can’t say Escape to Witch Mountain is my favorite Disney feature film, it isn’t, but it’s far better than expected and shows the true strength of what Disney was known for: escapism and amazing child stars.
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The movie centers upon the brother and sister pair Tony and Tia, who initially know only their deceased adoptive parents' surname, Malone. The children are placed in an orphanage, where they face difficulties stemming from their strange psychic powers. Tony can telekinetically move objects with the aid of his harmonica, and he can experience a limited form of premonition as shown in the scene where he draws Mr. Bolt's mansion on a mirror. Tia can communicate telepathically to Tony, commune with animals, experiences premonitions, and can also use minor telekinetic powers (which are much stronger in Return from Witch Mountain). She carries a "star case" with her at all times, which the children find contains a strange map.
During their journey, Tony and Tia encounter various challenges and obstacles. They are pursued by a sinister millionaire who is desperate to capture them and exploit their powers. Along the way, they meet a kind-hearted widower named Jason O'Day who becomes their ally and helps them evade their pursuers. As they venture closer to Witch Mountain, Tony and Tia discover the truth about their origins. They are not ordinary children but are actually extraterrestrial beings from another planet. Their powers are a result of their alien nature. With the help of Jason, they finally reach Witch Mountain and uncover their spaceship hidden beneath its surface. Escape to Witch Mountain explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of friendship. It captures the imagination of readers with its elements of mystery and adventure. The book has been praised for its engaging storytelling and memorable characters. The 1975 Disney film adaptation of Escape to Witch Mountain was a box office success. It starred Kim Richards as Tia and Ike Eisenmann as Tony. The movie retains the magical elements of the book while adding additional visual effects and action sequences. It has since become a beloved classic for audiences of all ages. Escape to Witch Mountain is a timeless story that continues to captivate readers and viewers. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its compelling narrative and enduring themes. Whether through the written word or on the big screen, the story of Tony and Tia's escape to Witch Mountain remains a captivating and enchanting tale..
Reviews for "A Journey into Witch Mountain: Behind the Scenes of the Classic Adventure"
1. John - 2/5 Stars: I have to say that I didn't really enjoy "Escape to Witch Mountain" as much as I thought I would. The storyline felt quite predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. I found it hard to connect with any of them or care about their journey. The special effects also felt quite dated, which further took away from my overall enjoyment of the film. While it may have been a hit back in its time, I don't think it has aged well and wouldn't recommend it to those seeking a thrilling or immersive experience.
2. Sarah - 3/5 Stars: "Escape to Witch Mountain" was an okay film, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. The plot felt a bit disjointed, and there were moments where the pacing seemed off. The performances by the child actors were also a bit underwhelming, and the chemistry between them and the adult characters didn't feel believable. While there were some interesting elements to the story, it lacked the necessary depth and excitement to make it truly memorable. Overall, it's an average family film that may entertain younger audiences, but it didn't hold my interest enough to recommend it highly.
3. Alex - 2/5 Stars: I found "Escape from Witch Mountain" to be quite cheesy and dated. The acting was somewhat over-the-top, and the dialogue felt contrived. I couldn't fully invest in the story because it lacked depth and failed to intrigue me. The special effects were also quite underwhelming, especially by today's standards. It's unfortunate because I remember watching it as a child and enjoying it, but upon revisiting it now, I couldn't help but notice its flaws. It's not a film I would revisit or recommend to others looking for a thrilling fantasy journey.