Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

Two mysterious orphan children have extraordinary powers and are chased by a scheming millionaire. But where do these kids really call home?

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

Robert Malcolm Young (screenplay by), Alexander Key (based on the book by)

Stars:

Eddie Albert, Ray Milland, Donald Pleasence

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eddie Albert	...	Jason
Ray Milland	...	Aristotle Bolt
Donald Pleasence	...	Deranian
Kim Richards	...	Tia
Ike Eisenmann	...	Tony
Walter Barnes	...	Sheriff Purdy
Reta Shaw	...	Mrs. Grindley
Denver Pyle	...	Uncle Bene
Alfred Ryder	...	Astrologer
Lawrence Montaigne	...	Ubermann
Terry Wilson	...	Biff Jenkins
George Chandler	...	Grocer
Dermott Downs	...	Truck
Shepherd Sanders	...	Guru
Don Brodie	...	Gasoline Attendant

Storyline

Tia and Tony are two orphaned youngsters with extraordinary powers. Lucas Deranian poses as their uncle in order to get the kids into the clutches of Deranian's megalomanical boss, evil millionaire Aristotle Bolt, who wants to exploit them. Jason, a cynical widower, helps Tia and Tony "escape to witch mountain," while at the same time Tia and Tony help Jason escape the pain of the loss of his wife.

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Plot Keywords:

orphanage | escape | mind reading | orphan | magical power | 

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Taglines:

Caught in a world where they don't belong... they have one chance to escape!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bixby Creek Bridge, also known as Bixby Canyon Bridge, in Big Sur, California is featured in the film.

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Goofs

When Tony is playing the harmonica you can see wires attached to hand controls for the puppets.

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Quotes

Tia Malone: Uncle Bene, we thought you'd drowned.
Uncle Bene: Well, now, if you know exactly what to say to a shark, he can be very accommodating.

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Alternate Versions

Early video releases were missing the magic sequence with the dancing puppets. Disney's response to complaints was that music rights were not available.

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Connections

Referenced in Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Hats Off to Hook!/Escape from Belch Mountain (2011)

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Soundtracks

When You Wish Upon a Star
(uncredited)
Music by Leigh Harline
Lyrics by Ned Washington

User Reviews

Falls apart near the finish, but until then an excellent family film

Alexander Key's popular pre-teen novel concerns two orphaned siblings with supernatural powers taken in by a nefarious millionaire (named Aristotle Bolt!) who wants to exploit their magical abilities for personal gain. Top-notch Walt Disney adventure for families has natural, non-precocious performances from young Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards as the gifted kids, and their friendship with good-hearted traveler Eddie Albert is sweet but not sticky. The eerie flashbacks to the youngsters' early beginnings are well-captured by director John Hough, who is otherwise forced (perhaps for budgetary reasons) to skimp on genuine atmosphere in place of an elongated chase. Too bad the finale replaces emotion with effects, as these characters are quite remarkable. Followed by a fairly wan sequel, 1978's "Return From Witch Mountain", in which the special effects became the whole show. **1/2 from ****

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape to Witch Mountain

Filming Locations:

Bixby Creek Arch Bridge, Big Sur, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$20,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1