Escape to Witch Mountain was originally a science fiction novel written by Alexander Key in 1968. It was made into a film by the Disney corporation. The original version was released in 1975, directed by John Hough. A remake directed by Peter Rader was released in 1995.
The story is about two orphans, Tony and Tia, who have moderate paranormal abilities. They live in a juvenile detention home under grim, unwholesome conditions. Both have repressed memories of their past, but discover clues -- a map and a huge amount of money -- hidden in the bottom of a leather box owned by Tia. With the assistance of a tough-nut inner-city Irish priest, the pair run away. As with most of Alexander Key's stories, they find that most of the people they meet are untrustworthy, greedy and hateful. As their memories begin to return, they realize that they are actually of extraterrestrial origin, and in the end they find their way to their own people.
This plotline somewhat resembles the fiction of Zenna Henderson and there is some evidence that Key was influenced by her writings.
In the film version, the children are adopted by a millionaire who plans to use their abilities to his own purposes. The story has been considerably cleaned and lightened up from the original novel, and the children's powers have been amplified to the point of absurdity.
Cast of the original version:
- Eddie Albert
- Paul Sorenson
- Don Brodie
- Sherpherd Sanders
- George Chandler
- Terry Wilson
- Lawrence Montaigne
- Alfred Ryder
- Reta Shaw
- Walter Barnes
- Denver Pyle
- Kim Richards
- Ike Eisenmann
- Donald Pleasence
- Ray Milland
Cast of the remake:
A sequel was made in 1978, titled Return from Witch Mountain, starring Bette Davis and Christopher Lee. Mr. Key had nothing to do with this film, which in some respects resembles Bewitched.
Links
How much was Alexander Key influenced by Zenna Henderson?
