In 1975, Walt Disney Pictures released a charming little movie about two siblings, orphaned in a terrible storm, who possessed paranormal powers. Their names were Tony and Tia. I adored this movie as a child and saw it twice in the theater when it was re-released and then watched it whenever it appeared on the Disney Sunday movie on ABC. Remember, hard as it is to believe, this is before the days of the DVD player.
Tony and Tia were not paranormal humans, instead as it turned out, they were aliens – refuges – who were separated from their family when their ship crashed into the water. A wealthy millionaire with delusions of grandeur took an unhealthy interest in the children and wanted to use their powers for himself. The movie follows their journey as they seek to escape from him and to reunite with their family. This charming tale has held up over the last 30+ years and it happens to be a favored movie of my daughter.
The film was followed by a sequel Return from Witch Mountain that also featured Bette Davis and Christopher Lee in key roles. There was a made for television film as well that was supposed to be a platform for a series, but it never took off.
Well it turns out that Disney is planning to bring Escape to Witch Mountain up to date with a modern re-imagining of the film. The film is to be directed by Andy Fickman. Fickman also directed The Rock in the soon to be released The Game Plan.
Who will they cast? How will they bring it up to date in the modern age? What two children will be selected? Are they doing this as a response to the success of Harry Potter? Who knows? I think it’s going to be interesting and since the original film was based on the novel by Alexander Key, it may be a great way to encourage kids to read another series of books.
Did you enjoy the original Escape to Witch Mountain? Are you interested in seeing a remake?