Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

Robert M. Young (screenplay)
Alexander Key (based on the book by)

Release Date:

21 March 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Family | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Escape To The Unknown!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Escape | Millionaire | Orphan | Widower | Coast

Cast

Eddie Albert	...	Jason O'Day
Ray Milland	...	Aristotle Bolt
Donald Pleasence	...	Lucas Deranian
Kim Richards	...	Tia Malone
Ike Eisenmann	...	Tony Malone
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

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:o.Al. | Canada:G (video rating) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Big Sur, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

At one point during the fight scene between Tony and Truck, the actor who plays Truck punched the bat so hard, it hit 'Ike Eisenmann (II)'. In some scenes you can see a greenish bruise under his left eye.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Tony playing the harmonica you can see wires attached to hand controls for the puppets.

Quotes:

Tia Malone: Please, Mr. Bolt, you're too excited. You're going to make yourself sick.
Tony Malone: You should go right to bed, Sir.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Making the 'Return' Trip (2003) (V)

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 ****