I have often posted about probably my all time favourite film. “Escape to Witch Mountain”
Thanks to a link by shadesong it looks like Disney is going to take another poke at the venerable film. Like anyone else who loves a classic film or book… this makes me fidgety in a ‘not so good’ way.
There are so many pieces of this original film that just work so well together. The original preview for the film was pretty much excerpts from the intro with several clips cut in. The music was haunting and riveting. This coupled with the simple images left me (at about the age of 8) contemplating the mystical symbolism of the title, the children running, and of course the animated dogs.
For those that haven’t seen this (and those that just want the nostalgia rush); I attach the opening 3 minutes of the film. This is predominantly the film intro with credits. I suggest headphones or a quiet room.
This is a film that lives in my library and I am MORE than happy to show it to anyone who is curious.
P.S. This one stands alone. The sequel, the remake, the pilot. None have the magic that this film carried.
Final note: This isn’t so much trivia as I don’t know the answer; but I’d be thrilled if someone out there did. The original film is credited to be based on the book of the same name. I, however, remember that there was some legal fluff that the book itself was based (plagiarized) off another story. The title was along the name of, “The People”… It’s about a woman (School teacher?) who comes to a quiet town and discovers a quiet bunch of folks. The interesting characteristic is that everyone in town shuffles their feet. She later discovers this is out of fear that they will fly (from Telekinesis) A town full of people hiding and ashamed of their abilities.
Any info on this story (which was became a made-for-tv movie) would be VERY appreciated.
That’s all for this morning.
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Zenna Henderson.
Talk about a blast from the past. I quite liked this when it came out and’d be willing to see it again.
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Leaving now. Must procure fuel for myself and car so ETA = 11:30am +/1 .25 hours.
*nods* I had heard about that. I’m curious what they’ll do with it. No word yet, or so I’ve heard, if Kim or Ike will be doing cameos.
You did hear about the Blair Witch Mountain Project yes?
**grumble grumble grumble childhood memories grumble grumble…**
I haven’t seen this film in years, but remember loving it when it came out eyears and years ago. Boy, am I dating myself…
I read “Escape to Witch Mountain” long before the movie came out. I’m waiting for Little Bit to get big enough to read it as well.
I think you’re thinking of Zenna Henderson’s “The People” (A TV movie of which was made in 1972)
There’s been debate for a while about Key borrowing from Henderson, but the general feeling is that it’s a common theme in SF/F (Look at “Roswell”)
Oh, and on edit
http://www.amazon.com/Ingathering-Complete-People-Stories-Henderson/dp/0915368587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204820783&sr=8-1
I’ve never seen this movie. The kids being chased by the dogs looks very familiar, but this movie was made in ’75 and my impression of seeing something that felt like that is older. I think it’s more the feel than actually being the same and that I’m thinking of some other older Disney movie.
The People was on tv in ’71 or ’72. The main kid in the movie and his sister were played by a brother and sister (Christopher and Stephanie Valentine) in my Jr High (the school I was posting about last month, in that same year). William Shatner got high billing as the biggest name in the film, but his character (the doctor I think) doesn’t actually appear as much as the new teacher and the kids. Chris got one more movie part after this and was in the teen girl mags like ‘Tiger Beat’ very briefly.
I liked the movie (the People) at the time it was on, but not to the level of any sort of favorite. I think it plays well to the age group I was, in that feeling alien and different and longing for more power and not being sure how to use it if you have it are all part of being that age. Hence the popularity of shows like Roswell when it was on.
Don’t really know much more about the story’s origins though. Since I haven’t seen Witch Mountain I can’t speak to the story similarities either. When the books each was based on were written could be useful information.
Ah, well I looked up the author from your first comment and the People stories started appearing in 1952 as shorts and a novel in 1961, and the book for Witch Mountain didn’t come out till 1968, plenty of time for him to have been inspired by those.
I loved this movie growing up. My grandmother taped it off the Disney channel. I watched it every year when I visited, even into my teen years. I always found the opening credits particularly haunting.
I also liked the sequel, Return from Witch Mountain. That movie was my first introduction to both Christopher Lee and Bette Davis, though my favorite character in the movie was the truant officer.
I also enjoyed No Deposit, No Return, a Don Knotts movie that had the same actress as the sister from Witch Mountain. I didn’t watch that one as religiously or for as many years, but I enjoyed it.
The three that I always watched were the Witch Mountain movies and Charlotte’s Web. I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the live action version even though I really like Dakota Fanning, the actress cast as Fern.
I also liked the sequel, Return from Witch Mountain. That movie was my first introduction to both Christopher Lee and Bette Davis,
For some reason the sequel hasn’t stood the test of time like the original. It feels very disney-contrived.
my favorite character in the movie was the truant officer.
Truant officer Yokomoto: Called YoYo.. was played by Jack Soo. A stunningly funny comedic actor best remembered as Sgt. Nick Yemana in Barney Miller in the 70’s. Best remembered because the coffee was soooooo bad and the Fro on Shepherd Book was soooo BAD!
The three that I always watched were the Witch Mountain movies and Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is required watching in my house. This is because the actress who voiced Fern (as well as the original voice of Lucy) is my cousin, Pamelyn Ferdin.
That intro actually scared me as a youngster, but it was definitely a favorite. 🙂
Here’s one to mess with your memories (if you haven’t already heard of it.) The Blair Witch Mountain Project, written and directed by Ike Eisenmann. *headdesk*
Escape to Witch Mountain was one of me fave movies as a child. I loved the Book. Witch Mountain and Wrinkle in Time were my favorite books. I used to have such a crush on Ike Eiseman.
In fact just about 2 weeks ago, The Disney Channel showed Escape and the Sequel. Somehow I think the new verson will just have so many special effects/CGI.
Whoa – that was one of my absolute favorite movies as a kid. When it came out on DVD not too long ago, I bought it (and the sequel, as I recall), but I haven’t actually sat down to watch it yet. I might have to do that this eve, after kayaking class.
I remember that the opening scared me and gave me delicious shivers as a kid. Even now, it’s kinda creepy–dogs chasing little kids with intent to kill. Now, as an adult, it kinda give me the creeps, but as a kid, I remember admiring the kids’ bravery and being scared for them at the same time.
I missed this post the other day. Glad I went back to read. I’d forgotten about this movie. I loved it growing up. I’ll have to add it to my Netflix. *happy dance*
🙂