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Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)



Originally released - 21 March 1975
Director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396421/">John Hough</a>

Main Cast
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001668/">Kim Richards</a> - Tia Malone
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252055/">Ike Eisenmann</a> - Tony Malone
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000734/">Eddie Albert</a> - Jason O'Day
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001537/">Ray Milland</a> - Aristotle Bolt
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000587/">Donald Pleasence</a> - Deranian
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0055812/">Walter Barnes</a> - Sheriff Purdy
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0701500/">Denver Pyle</a> - Uncle Bene

Based on the novel "Escape to Witch Mountain" by Alexander Key</center>

A vehicle floats in midair... a coat rack comes to life and attacks a sheriff... and wild animals are putty in the hands of Tony and Tia Malone in Disney's thrilling fantasy adventure about the psychic powers of two young orphans. Their clairvoyance prompts evil millionaire Aristotle Bolt (Ray Milland) to lure them to his mansion to exploit their powers. While escaping, they meet a friendly camper (Eddie Albert) and begin to unravel the mystery of their origin. Soon, all three are fleeing townspeople who have branded the children witches. But then IT happens! Someone with even greater power takes over and leads the children - and the audience - into a dazzling and unexpected experience... one that is truly out of this world!
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This seems to have become somewhat of a cult film. One of the few stand out hits from the 70s Disney era that seems to have stood the test of time and memory and remaining popular today.

The story is much darker and sinister to what the usual Disney fare of the time would have been, not just a coincidence that director John Hough went on a few years later to create what could arguably be the darkest film bearing the Disney name, <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... 17387">The Watcher in the Woods</a>. The film is certainly strong in terms of story and action and from the opening credits with the mysterious animated hound in pursuit of something you know this is an adventure story unlike other Disney films of the period.

However if truth be told I find the film in places to be very weak. Some parts of the story just don't seem coherent and I know as a child the film confused me. The opening with the dogs gives the suggestion that the children are on the run being pursued by dogs. They make constant reference to the dogs be X miles away only its not until over half way through the film that they are chased by dogs and owing to the fact that Tia can talk to animals and tell them not to chase them it workd out to be hardly that frightening at all. Similarly despite the chase with the cars, hillbillies and helicopter the ending to me seems to just fizzle out and after the build up, seems somewhat of a let down to me.

I feel it necessary that the special effects be mentioned. I mean by todays standards the look simply awful. The floating flour, the flying camper van, the spaceship that looks like it was made out of an old cornflake packet. Now I'm aware that technology was not what it is now. But still, even by 1970s standards it still seems weak. Years previous to this greater this were done and more convinvingly in Bedknobs and Broomsticks. So I ask the people (if there are any here) that saw the film during its original theatrical release, did the effects stick out like a sore thumb then or did they convince?

So in summary whilst the film does have some wonderful moments of tension, drama, excitement and action they seem muted by the areas of slowness.

Your thoughts?

Oh and those of you who pay attention will notice I've added a poll. Maybe clicking squares will add a bit more interest and get people to read/post in these threads and then they won't die out after a couple of posts.

I personally would give 'Escape to Witch Mountain' 3/5

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I haven't seen this movie in years and it's on my "wishlist" of DVDs to get. However, as a child this was such a special movie to me. I absolutely loved it. Back then (it was probably the early 1980s when I saw it last!) I don't recall thinking that the special effects were bad, just that it was such a fun movie. So, I rated it a 4 based on story and my reaction as a child.

As I have now seen clips of the movie, one of the first things I thought of was how dated the special effects were. Hopefully that won't detract from my liking the movie when I see it again.

I do remember seeing this film theatrically as a double bill with Ride A Wild Pony. I remember being absolutely blown away by it. At the time, the special effects didnt seem too cheesy but then Star Wars hadnt been released and back then its special effects flaws wernt as obvious.
I was rather surprised recently to discover my niece and nephews had rented the film and absolutely loved it. Having been raised on a diet of pixar etc I thought that this film would not appeal to them. But they were quite enthralled by it. This suggests to me that it has a lasting quality to it.

This was one of my favorites when I was little. I recently bought the DVD with both movies on it and loved watching it again....

Just watched it a couple of weeks ago.

Mildly entertaining. I too give it a 3/5 although it is closer to a 4 than a 2.

The acting was good.

When I first saw this movie I was expecting a typical Disney comedy of the 70's (minus Dean Jones). I was pleasantly surprised. No dumb, unfunny slapstick, not so terribly predictable, serious acting and some nice special effects (although the policeman getting attacked by the coat reminded me of Bedknobs and Broomsticks). Certainly a good movie, although I can't decided whether I like this or the sequel better.

one of my top favorite films. I'd give it 4 stars. (didn't vote, though)

This was one of those few cases where I like the sequel better than the original. Escape to Witch Mountain just never did anything, even the first time I saw it as a child I could barely sit through it. Return from Witch Mountain though, don't know why but I loved it. Has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. Loved Bette Davis as Miss Letha Wedge, she added a sense of somewhat nutty/aristocratic elegance to the film. From her constantly reprimanding Dr. Gannon on making her credit rating "look like swiss cheese" to her constant whim of trying to "strike it rich" using Tony's powers. But still somewhat of an old world aristocratic look, with her wardrobe style of yesteryear, an old Citroen. It was a somewhat mature disney/sci-fi flick. With famous UK horror star Anthony James as Miss Davis's dimwitted nephew.

But Escape to Witch Mountain just always struck me as too immature. With it's audience limited to the appeal of a child up to the age of 7. After that a deffinate rent for the "Diehard" fan but not something to exactly write home about.

Escape To Witch Mountain is one of my all time favorite Disney movies. I first saw it when I was six years old, and it's just as enjoyable to me as an adult.

Despite its special effects which sometimes make it obvious that objects are dangling from fishing line, I believe the appeal of the movie lies in it's rather dark themes and strong story. Who can't relate to two children who are not only searching for their family, but trying to find out who they are, where they come from, and what their place is in the world? Throw in some fierce dogs to chase the kids, and you have some rather dark and scary concepts for any child. The film does not speak down to a young audience but instead presents its themes in a mature and relatable way. I relate in terms of my own past struggle to come out to myself and to others, but I think anyone can relate to finding one's place in the world, searching for one's ancestry, or, at its most basic level, a fear of being alone.

This may not be new news, but I found this on comingsoon.net:

On Sunday, it was revealed that Andy Fickman will direct Witch Mountain for Disney. JewReview.net caught up with the helmer to talk about his new project. Here's a clip:

Is he ready to take on the challenge? "I ask myself that everyday; I respond to material. I'm a huge UFO buff, I'm a huge paranormal buff; these are the movies I grew up loving. I think it's always the challenge; if I didn't respond to that material, then I don't think I'd be ready to. I think about this movie so much, and the director in me is like, 'Ooh, I can’t wait to do this; Witch Mountain means so much to me. Because it's a favorite movie of mine, it has so much impact."

I liked the original, I hope they give it justice if this is a true project.

Great, another pointless remake. Why not the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh or the Fighting Prince of Donegal instead?

Flanger-Hanger wrote:Great, another pointless remake. Why not the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh or the Fighting Prince of Donegal instead?

The Witch Mountain films are better loved, therefore Disney can maximize the number of memories they shatter. When they attack, they go for the jugular.