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:

...a film of unearthly power!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie included a $3 million replica of a Byzantine castle, built between 1926 and 1934 from lava rock from Mt. Vesuvius and materials all over Europe, which served as Aristotle Bolt's (Ray Milland's) kingly abode, Xanthus.

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Goofs

Deranian's car is equipped with a mobile telephone and a two-way radio, however no antennas exist for those systems on the car. The only antenna is for the car's AM radio.

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Quotes

Aristotle Bolt: That thing's flying upside down... That's impossible! That kind of vehicle *can't* fly upside down. It's not supposed to fly at all!
[Looks down sees the sky. Looks up and sees the ground]
Aristotle Bolt: They're not upside down, we are!

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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 Meatballs Part II (1984)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

This is perhaps the best childrens movie ever made!

I first saw Escape to Witch Mountain when it came out in 1975. Even though I was 22 at that time, I still remember the warm feelings that were in my heart when the movie was over. It made me feel like a little boy again! Over the years, I must have seen this movie at least 50 times, and I still get heart-warming feelings every time I view it. I have three children, (girls), and made sure that they saw it. They loved it! I originally went to see this movie because I was a fan of Donald Pleasence and Eddie Albert. It was'nt long before I became a fan of Ike and Kim as well. It would be terrific if Disney would do a sequel, (with Ike & Kim).

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