"Escape to Witch Mountain" is a popular children's book written by Alexander Key. It was first published in 1968 and has since become a beloved classic. The story follows two orphaned siblings, Tony and Tia, who possess supernatural powers. They are unsure of where they come from and live in an orphanage until they escape and set out on a journey to find their true home. The siblings soon learn that they are not ordinary children. Tia possesses the ability of telepathy, while Tony can move objects with his mind.
Disney created a sequel called Return from Witch Mountain in 1978, also directed by John Hough. The same child actors, Ike (now known as Iake) Eisenmann and Kim Richards, reprized their roles as slightly older Tony and Tia. Bette Davis and Christopher Lee starred as the movie’s villains who hoped to manipulate the siblings’ powers. Four years later, Disney released yet another sequel, Beyond Witch Mountain with a new director. By this time, the original Tony and Tia has grown out of the roles and were recast. The plot appears to pick up from after the original 1975 Escape from Witch Mountain adaptation and it ignores the story-line from the 1978 Return from Witch Mountain. This second sequel was created as a pilot for a possible TV series. But since no networks expressed interest, no other episodes were filmed.
In 1975, Disney released a film adaptation of the novel directed by John Hough, which, at the time, became one of their most popular live-action movies. If you re local to the area, Escape to Witch Mountain 1975 and Race to Witch Mountain 2009 are available at the Chapel Hill and the Durham Public Libraries and could make an interesting back-to-back screening of two adaptations thirty-four years apart.
Tia possesses the ability of telepathy, while Tony can move objects with his mind. These extraordinary powers make them targets of scientific experimentation, leading them to run away from the orphanage. On their journey, Tony and Tia meet an eccentric millionaire named Jason O'Day, who becomes their ally.
Lights, Camera, Novel: Alexander Key’s Escape to Witch Mountain.
If you’re in the right age bracket, you might remember Escape to Witch Mountain from your childhood. Which format and version you recall depends on your generation. Novelist Alexander Key first wrote the book in 1967. Key began his career as a well-known illustrator who eventually transitioned into writing. His writing can be described as science fiction for kids. Key was born in Maryland and spent many years in Florida before moving to the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and son. A fan page on Key says that he and his family made the move after they “decided Florida was growing too fast.” Much of Key’s work is currently out-of-print. Escape to Witch Mountain is one of Key’s best known titles. The book tells the story of orphans Tony and Tia who possess supernatural gifts and are on the hunt to figure out their origins before the evil Lucas Deranian reaches them first.
In 1975, Disney released a film adaptation of the novel directed by John Hough, which, at the time, became one of their most popular live-action movies. The movie follows the basic plot from beginning to end with some noticeable modifications. First, the setting was relocated from the East coast to the West coast, where the movie was filmed. In the novel, Father O’Day helps the children on their quest and protects them from Deranian. In the movie, O’Day plays the same role, but his character is a widower named Jason O’Day. Deranian is the central villain in the novel, whereas in the movie he becomes ancillary to his mastermind boss, Aristotle Bolt. The child actors who play Tony and Tia aren’t perfect physical matches for their book counterparts who are supposed to look unearthly with their olive-skin and light hair. Instead, they look like wholesome child actors.
The movie’s portrayal is much lighter and more innocent: Miss. Grindley is kinder and Truck, a bully at the orphanage, is much less threatening. Yet the most surprising change is Tia speaking. Muteness is a major feature of her character. In the novel, Tia is seen as an oddity because she does not speak out loud. Instead, she carries a pad and pen around to communicate with other people. She is able to converse with her brother telepathically.
Disney created a sequel called Return from Witch Mountain in 1978, also directed by John Hough. The same child actors, Ike (now known as Iake) Eisenmann and Kim Richards, reprized their roles as slightly older Tony and Tia. Bette Davis and Christopher Lee starred as the movie’s villains who hoped to manipulate the siblings’ powers. Four years later, Disney released yet another sequel, Beyond Witch Mountain with a new director. By this time, the original Tony and Tia has grown out of the roles and were recast. The plot appears to pick up from after the original 1975 Escape from Witch Mountain adaptation and it ignores the story-line from the 1978 Return from Witch Mountain. This second sequel was created as a pilot for a possible TV series. But since no networks expressed interest, no other episodes were filmed.
Over a decade later, in 1995, Disney remade Escape to Witch Mountain as a made-for-TV movie. The movie shared some elements with Key’s story, like orphaned siblings with powers (renamed Danny and Anna). Most of the TV movie departed from the original plot though, for instance Danny and Anna are initially separated. Finally, in 2009 Disney produced its latest rendition, called Race to Witch Mountain with Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb and Carla Gugino. Like the 1995 adaptation, Race only shares some passing similarities to Key’s novel and the 1975 film. Adolescent Tony and Tia were remodeled as teenaged Seth and Sara. As the years passed, it seems that each revision departed further from the original, maybe as a means to refresh and modernize the story, while still maintaining essential characters and motivations.
Escape to Witch Mountain and its many adaptations are nostalgic classics. Alexander Key’s novel is available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog and has been previously blogged on here. The film and TV adaptations are not available through the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog. If you’re local to the area, Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and Race to Witch Mountain (2009) are available at the Chapel Hill and the Durham Public Libraries and could make an interesting back-to-back screening of two adaptations thirty-four years apart.
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Together, they embark on a quest to reach Witch Mountain, a place Tia saw in her visions, hoping to find answers about their origins. Throughout their adventure, the siblings encounter various obstacles, including a group of sinister individuals who want to exploit their powers for personal gain. These encounters test their resilience and determination as they navigate through danger and uncertainty. As Tony and Tia get closer to reaching Witch Mountain, they discover more about their true identities and the purpose of their powers. They realize that they are not alone and that others like them exist in the world. This newfound knowledge gives them a sense of belonging and strength. "Escape to Witch Mountain" is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of belief. It teaches young readers about resilience and the importance of embracing their unique abilities. The book's engaging plot and relatable characters make it a timeless tale that continues to captivate readers of all ages..
Reviews for "The Role of Family in 'Escape to Witch Mountain"
1. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Escape to Witch Mountain" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The characters lacked depth and the plot felt predictable and lacking in suspense. The writing style was also quite flat and did not engage me as a reader. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jason - 2 out of 5 stars - "Escape to Witch Mountain" did not live up to my expectations. I found the storyline to be weak and the pacing to be slow, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. The book also lacked strong character development, leaving me feeling indifferent towards the protagonists. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short for me.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I'm sorry to say that "Escape to Witch Mountain" did not captivate me. The plot seemed promising, but the execution was lacking. The writing style felt disjointed and the dialogue was often stiff and unrealistic. Additionally, the supposed mystery and suspense were underwhelming, leaving me feeling unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
4. Brian - 1 out of 5 stars - I really struggled to get through "Escape to Witch Mountain". The writing felt forced and the characters were one-dimensional. I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief and connect with the story. The plot felt contrived, and I wasn't invested in the outcome. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment.
5. Jessica - 2 out of 5 stars - "Escape to Witch Mountain" had an interesting premise, but I felt let down by the execution. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts that dragged on and rushed moments that left me confused. The characters lacked depth and their actions often felt illogical. While there were a few intriguing moments, the overall story failed to hold my attention.