Escape to Witch Mountain (G, 1975)

In ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, twins Tony and Tia are taken to an orphanage. They have no family, just their cat Winky, but they do have extraordinary powers. The can communicate telepathically, can move objects, and Tia communicates with animals. It goes without saying that some people want to exploit them, and before long they are in the clutches of wealthy Mr. Bolt (Ray Milland), who plans to use their powers to make more money. But Tony and Tia see through him and escape, searching for the real home that they have only seen in foggy and incomplete memories. They are helped along the way by Jason (Eddie Albert), a crusty old loner who they completely win over. The children use their powers to help them get away, with results that are sometimes funny and sometimes mildly scary.

Older kids might find this 1970s classic somewhat outdated, but there's still much for the younger set to enjoy, especially Tony and Tia's magical powers. The child actors, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann, are very natural and sweet, and they make you care about them right from the start.

The special effects are very simple and straightforward, but remain surprisingly realistic. The climatic car chase, utterly unenhanced by fancy cuts and stunts, is very suspenseful. And it ends with an upside down helicopter, which is something few films can match.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Hough
Cast: Ike Eisenmann, Kim Richards, Ray Milland
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: March 21, 1975
DVD release: January 1, 2003
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: all audiences