As the story of Witch Mountain returns to movie theaters this month with the release of Race to Witch Mountain, the original films that launched the Witch Mountain saga, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return to Witch Mountain, are returning to DVD March 10, 2009 in special new editions from Disney Home Entertainment.
Laying the groundwork for the new film starring Dwayne Johnson, the two family favorites first put the magical world of Witch Mountain onscreen, and featured such classic stars as Bette Davis, Ray Milland, Christopher Lee, Eddie Albert, and Donald Pleasance.
Long before Harry Potter and the Narnia movies, the Witch Mountain films created a world in which children learned to use their magical powers. In Escape to Witch Mountain, first released in 1975, orphaned siblings Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards) discover their paranormal powers and learn the truth about their origin.
In the 1978 sequel, Return to Witch Mountain, the Malone children recruit a band of juvenile delinquents to help them battle a pair of criminal masterminds played by Bette Davis and Christopher Lee, one of the best Disney villains. Both Eisenmann and Richards make cameos in the new “Race to Witch Mountain,” a modern re-imagining of the original Witch Mountain story featuring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, and Alexander Ludwig.
The new Walt Disney Family Classics DVD editions both contain extensive bonus features, including all new Pop-Up Fun Facts, filmmaker commentaries, and more. They will be available in stores on March 10, three days before the theatrical release of “Race to Witch Mountain.”
Escape to Witch Mountain
An evil millionaire (Ray Milland) lures Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards) to his mansion in order to exploit their paranormal abilities for his own greedy purposes. Escaping their would-be captor with the help of a vacationing widower (Eddie Albert), the siblings discover puzzling clues about their origins that eventually lead them on a thrilling journey home to far away Witch Mountain. Adapted from the book by Alexander Key, the movie brims with timeless appeal and amazing acts of wizardry that will delight young and old alike. Starring Eddie Albert, Ray Milland, Donald Pleasence, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann and a flying RV!
Return to Witch Mountain
Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann star in a sequel every bit as exhilarating and fun as its inspiration. Adapted from Alexander Key’s book Escape to Witch Mountain, this Disney Family Classics’ DVD presentation is perfectly timed to coincide with the March 13 theatrical debut of the new Race to Witch Mountain, starring Dwayne Johnson. Return from Witch Mountain – Special Edition is packed with fun and intriguing bonus features, including all new Pop-Up Fun Facts, filmmaker commentary and much more.
