When I heard that there was a sequel to the charming 1975 film, I was a little worried. But after seeing it, I enjoyed the film. The effects are outdated, the plot is nothing particularly special and the script has some weak spots. But it is definitely worth watching, as the film skips along nicely, is well directed and there are some humorous scenes with the juvenile group. Not to mention the lively car chase. But the acting is the best asset of this film. Jack Soo is hilarious in his supporting role and Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann reprise their roles and very well might I add. Christopher Lee is a finely sinister lead villain, but it is the legendary Bette Davis's picture all the way, as the actress brings a touch of colour into a film that could have easily been bland, and with that colour it made the film worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox
52 Reviews
Mad Scientists Use Alien Kids
bkoganbing3 June 2006
This is a fine sequel to one of Walt Disney's better family projects Escape from Witch Mountain. The adult stars are Bette Davis and Christopher Lee as an old dowager financing a mad scientist in some nefarious experiments.
These two happen on the alien kids from Witch Mountain, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenman, when the kids are on holiday to Earth once again. They kidnap Ike after seeing an example of his powers of levitation and seek to use him and fit him with a mind control device that Lee's been perfecting.
Lee's dreaming some big dreams and Davis has some more mundane schemes like a trip to some gambling house or racetrack. Both of them looking like they are having one grand old time hamming it up for the cameras.
Of course the film wouldn't work at all if it were not for the winning personalities of Richards and Eisenman. Both come across as real kids, not sure of the extent of their own powers rather than Hollywood juvenile actors.
The whole of the film is Richards pursuing and trying to rescue her brother and in the process she recruits a gang of juveniles escaping from a truant officer played by the ever deadpan funny Jack Soo. Eventually Soo joins forces with the kids and proves of some help.
Both Escape to Witch Mountain and this sequel are fine family entertainment, some of the best that Disney studio produced.
These two happen on the alien kids from Witch Mountain, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenman, when the kids are on holiday to Earth once again. They kidnap Ike after seeing an example of his powers of levitation and seek to use him and fit him with a mind control device that Lee's been perfecting.
Lee's dreaming some big dreams and Davis has some more mundane schemes like a trip to some gambling house or racetrack. Both of them looking like they are having one grand old time hamming it up for the cameras.
Of course the film wouldn't work at all if it were not for the winning personalities of Richards and Eisenman. Both come across as real kids, not sure of the extent of their own powers rather than Hollywood juvenile actors.
The whole of the film is Richards pursuing and trying to rescue her brother and in the process she recruits a gang of juveniles escaping from a truant officer played by the ever deadpan funny Jack Soo. Eventually Soo joins forces with the kids and proves of some help.
Both Escape to Witch Mountain and this sequel are fine family entertainment, some of the best that Disney studio produced.
Two children extraterrestrial are chased by evil persons who want use their magic powers for his own aims
ma-cortes21 January 2012
Disney fantasy full of adventure , tension , intrigue and spectacular images . Engaging Walt Disney Sci-Fi/fantasy in which we meet Tony (Ike Eisenmann , in 2009 recent version played by Alexander Ludwig ) and Tia ( Kim Richards , subsequently performed by Anna Rob ) as they are arriving along with their uncle (Denver Pyle) in a flying saucer at a stadium called Rose Bowl . They have special telekinetic powers which make getting along with the rest of the kids difficult . After that , the clairvoyant kids with special powers meet a Cabman getting into a car across the streets . Some baddies discover their supernatural powers and effect they can have on humans while the children being pursued . As Tony is abducted by the evil Dr. Gannon (Christopher Lee), his spinster pal Letha (Bette Davis) and hoodlum (Anthony James) who want to use his powers for his own objectives . Gannon puts him an artifact into the neck that allows him to control Tony's brain . As Tony will brainwashed into helping them commit several crimes , hoping to put his special faculties to evil .
This mystery-fantasy is packed with amusing action , thrills, suspense and spectacular scenes with abundant but primitive effects. The two children with mysterious powers played by Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann are enjoyable and phenomenal , as always , Christopher Lee as mean villain and likable Bette Davis as old nasty . The picture results to be the sequel to ¨Escape to Witch mountain (1978)¨ also by John Hough that holds a recent take on titled ¨ Race to witch mountain (2009)¨ with The Rock , Carla Gugino and Ciaran Hinds as government agent and as homage to former adaptation appears Kim Richards as Sara and Ike Isenmann as sheriff in a brief roles .
This funny picture is well directed by John Hough . He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , beginning in television series ( Avengers, Protectors , The champions ) , making Hammer film (Twins of evil) , classic terror ( Legend of hell house ) , average horror movies ( Howling IV, American Gothic, Incubus ) , adventures ( Island of treasure, Black arrow ) until wholesome Disney family fare ( The watcher in the woods , Return and escape to witch mountain) . The flick will appeal to Disney film buffs and wholesome entertainment enthusiasts . A good children's film with acceptable special effects by that time though nowadays corny . The motion picture is professionally made though with no originality because being a simple remake , being an agreeable fun from Walt Disney productions .
This mystery-fantasy is packed with amusing action , thrills, suspense and spectacular scenes with abundant but primitive effects. The two children with mysterious powers played by Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann are enjoyable and phenomenal , as always , Christopher Lee as mean villain and likable Bette Davis as old nasty . The picture results to be the sequel to ¨Escape to Witch mountain (1978)¨ also by John Hough that holds a recent take on titled ¨ Race to witch mountain (2009)¨ with The Rock , Carla Gugino and Ciaran Hinds as government agent and as homage to former adaptation appears Kim Richards as Sara and Ike Isenmann as sheriff in a brief roles .
This funny picture is well directed by John Hough . He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , beginning in television series ( Avengers, Protectors , The champions ) , making Hammer film (Twins of evil) , classic terror ( Legend of hell house ) , average horror movies ( Howling IV, American Gothic, Incubus ) , adventures ( Island of treasure, Black arrow ) until wholesome Disney family fare ( The watcher in the woods , Return and escape to witch mountain) . The flick will appeal to Disney film buffs and wholesome entertainment enthusiasts . A good children's film with acceptable special effects by that time though nowadays corny . The motion picture is professionally made though with no originality because being a simple remake , being an agreeable fun from Walt Disney productions .
Well done follow up to the original
jaybabb9 October 2003
This is a very well done sequel to "Escape to which mountain" Tony and Tia(Ike Eisenmann & Kim Richards)are back! This time, they come back to LA(they come via space ship and land on the 50 yard line at the rose bowl!)for a vacation.
On their way to the motel, the cab they are riding in runs out of gas. When the cab driver leaves to go get gas, Tony and Tia have visions of a man falling from a tall building. Tony goes to help him. Enter Letha and Victor(Bette Davis & Christopher Lee)who are testing a mind control device that Sickle(Anthony James)is wearing. The test goes wrong when Letha grabs the remote control from victor and drops it on the ground.
When Victor and Letha see Tony's powers, they repay Tony for saving Sickle's life by kidnapping him. Meanwhile, when Tony hasn't returned to the cab-she goes looking for him. He is nowhere to be found. After a short while, a pre-teen group of kids(Whom they call themselves "The earthquake gang)are running away from another gang-Tia helps them escape from this gang. They then help Tia look for Tony.
I like the earthquake gang. These kids, despite how they dress are not really a violent gang-I think they have a tender side of them-they want to help people. Now I realize that this is not based in any real reality, it's only a movie-they are not to be taken seriously. I get a laugh out of them. Although, they try to act tough they don't scare anyone.
Victor and Letha are in their Lab testing this mind control device on Tony. After seeing the success of their tests, they both use Tony for their own evil ends. Letha wants money, she takes Tony to the museum in an attempt to steal 3 million dollars worth of gold which is on display. Things of course go wrong when they underestimate the weight of the gold bars. Victor on the other hand wants to rule the world and he uses Tony to take over a plutonium processing plant.
Tia then shows up-and a show down between Tia and Tony ensues-you will need to watch the film to see how it ends.
Although not the best sequel, it's better than most(Esp. by Disney). I recently got my DVD copies of both films. It's been remastered in THX, Dolby 5.1 surround sound. It sounds better than ever.
On their way to the motel, the cab they are riding in runs out of gas. When the cab driver leaves to go get gas, Tony and Tia have visions of a man falling from a tall building. Tony goes to help him. Enter Letha and Victor(Bette Davis & Christopher Lee)who are testing a mind control device that Sickle(Anthony James)is wearing. The test goes wrong when Letha grabs the remote control from victor and drops it on the ground.
When Victor and Letha see Tony's powers, they repay Tony for saving Sickle's life by kidnapping him. Meanwhile, when Tony hasn't returned to the cab-she goes looking for him. He is nowhere to be found. After a short while, a pre-teen group of kids(Whom they call themselves "The earthquake gang)are running away from another gang-Tia helps them escape from this gang. They then help Tia look for Tony.
I like the earthquake gang. These kids, despite how they dress are not really a violent gang-I think they have a tender side of them-they want to help people. Now I realize that this is not based in any real reality, it's only a movie-they are not to be taken seriously. I get a laugh out of them. Although, they try to act tough they don't scare anyone.
Victor and Letha are in their Lab testing this mind control device on Tony. After seeing the success of their tests, they both use Tony for their own evil ends. Letha wants money, she takes Tony to the museum in an attempt to steal 3 million dollars worth of gold which is on display. Things of course go wrong when they underestimate the weight of the gold bars. Victor on the other hand wants to rule the world and he uses Tony to take over a plutonium processing plant.
Tia then shows up-and a show down between Tia and Tony ensues-you will need to watch the film to see how it ends.
Although not the best sequel, it's better than most(Esp. by Disney). I recently got my DVD copies of both films. It's been remastered in THX, Dolby 5.1 surround sound. It sounds better than ever.
Silly Harmless Disney Fun!
Sylviastel9 August 2009
Sir Christopher Lee as the mad scientist and Bette Davis as Cletha play the mad scientist and his business partner in a plot to take over the world and make money. Anthony James plays Sickle, Cletha's nephew and only living relative. One day, they go searching for a perfect location and end up with gold. Sickle has the mad doctor's commands in his ear and he hurts him if he doesn't do exactly what he wants like climbing to the roof of a building in a deserted Los Angeles area. He's about to fall but is saved by Tony, a boy with special abilities. Tony and his sister, Tia, were headed to return home but their cab ran out of gas. The cab driver goes to get gas. Tony sensing trouble tries to stop and saves Sickle's life. Unfortunately, Tony is tagged and taken away. They have other plans for him. It's not a bad film and the special effects are way outdated but the acting isn't bad and the cast does make it worth watching.
Stupid but palatable.
gridoon30 September 2003
This corny sequel to "Escape To Witch Mountain" is full of stupid and convenient plot devices (smart goat!), the performances by the kids are awkward, Bette Davis and an obviously slumming Christopher Lee are here only to lure some adults into thinking the movie might have some interest for them too (it doesn't) and the special effects run hot and cold (some good, some embarrassments). Despite all that, the film does have a few good ideas, such as pitting the two "magical" kids against each other for much of the duration. Of course, they are both so obnoxious that I was secretly hoping they would go ahead and kill each other off, but no such luck; this is Disney, after all. (**1/2)
Good cast and interesting teenage characters sacrificed for yahoo thrills...
moonspinner5517 August 2007
Disney's sequel to 1975's "Escape From Witch Mountain" scuttles all interest in its teen characters, Tony and Tia (the returning Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards), for the sake of jazzier special effects. The kids return to Earth from outer space, where Tony is kidnapped by villains Bette Davis and Christopher Lee (and their chauffeur, Anthony James, who earlier played chauffeur in "Burnt Offerings"). Terrific cast, well-enough made, but the movie loses sight of what was so special about the first film: a kids' flick with the emphasis on character, not outlandish effects. Davis is alert and anxious, but she's practically smothered under her gaudy make-up job; Christopher Lee unceremoniously blends into the background without much of a character to play (it's easy to forget he's even in the picture). The plotting gets too heavy, what with Los Angeles about to be decimated and delinquent children running amok, but the worst decision was to separate the siblings for much of the movie. Jack Soo does nice work in a supporting bit, and there's also a goat who nearly saves the day. *1/2 from ****
Bette Davis and Christopher Lee; - an utmost diabolical duo!
Coventry21 December 2021
As a kid, I was a big fan of "Escape to Witch Mountain", but I don't recall ever having seen the sequel "Return from Witch Mountain". Too bad, really, because even as a young lad I was always rooting for the villainous characters, and this one has gathered the greatest trio of villains in cinema history! None other than the almighty Christopher Lee and the even almightier Bette Davis star in this Disney Sci-Fi/adventure production for children, and - as a sort of bonus - there's also the naturally sinister-looking Anthony James as their sidekick. The evil threesome is on the tail of alien siblings Tony and Tia after witnessing their incredible "molecular mobilization" powers. Lee's character wants to abuse the powers and become the maddest scientist in the world, while old hag Davis simply wants lots of money. They kidnap Tony and manipulate his mind, and Tia teams up with a youthful street gang in the for her unknown streets of Los Angeles.
To please the young target audience, director John Hough largely repeats the successful elements of the original (like flying saucers, floating cars, weightless people, ...) and he adds more identifiable heroes with cool names (like Rocky, Muscles and Dazzler). For "elderly" fans of fantastic cinema, the obvious reason to watch "Return from Witch Mountain" is the presence of Christopher Lee and Bette Davis, especially since they clearly had a blast playing their diabolical characters. Few things in life are as fun as hearing Lee yell stuff like: "Come on, crush her!" whilst referring to a cute teenage girl.
To please the young target audience, director John Hough largely repeats the successful elements of the original (like flying saucers, floating cars, weightless people, ...) and he adds more identifiable heroes with cool names (like Rocky, Muscles and Dazzler). For "elderly" fans of fantastic cinema, the obvious reason to watch "Return from Witch Mountain" is the presence of Christopher Lee and Bette Davis, especially since they clearly had a blast playing their diabolical characters. Few things in life are as fun as hearing Lee yell stuff like: "Come on, crush her!" whilst referring to a cute teenage girl.
One for the pre-teens
CabbageCustard1 July 2021
Has there ever been a film studio with a more varied output than Disney? They are responsible for some of filmdom's absolute classics and also some really mediocre stuff. This movie is one of the latter. Silly plot devices, average acting, awful special effects and dopey dialogue are hallmarks of this movie. Despite that, the pre-teens will find this a lot of fun and, for the adults, it's always fun to see Christopher Lee and Bette Davis at work, although this movie is definitely not their finest work. In fact, I suspect that this movie doesn't feature prominently on the resumes of any of the adults involved. Still, it's nice to have something you can let the kids sit and watch with no worries that they are going to see anything even slightly offensive or objectionable.
A great film for the family
lottielamb622 August 2005
an excellent family movie i thought. brilliant for children up to the age of ten or even older like me i am 17 and i must say i still love this film as much as i ever did x 2 teenagers with special powers who are somehow turned against each other is a good story line and i love the way a 'mean' gang help get them back together and Alfred the goat is a great character. This film portrays 2 incredible children who are endangered when 1 of them goes to save someone's life who helps to capture him for their own purposes. It is up to the captured boy's sister and her new friends to save him. The sister receives help from Alfred the goat too.
Silly and surprisingly uninteresting
stills-61 October 1999
"Escape" was better for the way it dealt with serious issues like prejudice and family tragedy. Tia is taken in by a fun-loving street gang and Tony is taken in by a typical Disney-type group of villains including Bette Davis and Christopher Lee. As an adolescent, I fell in love with Kim Richards after watching this movie, but that may be its only redeeming quality.
Two children with special powers.
dk014f22452 October 2005
I saw this film when I was about 10 years old and loved it. Now 30 years on, it is still one of my favourite films. I have just bought both 'Escape to witch mountain & Return from witch mountain for my kids as they love it as well. They sure don't make good old movies like this now.These films are a must when they are shown on TV. There are no swear words or violence which makes them suitable for all the family whatever the ages. Good family fun. My mum took me to the pictures to see this film and I always wanted to have 'powers' like Tony & Tia. Mind you the child in me still does. Perhaps thats why I have a passion for anything supernatural now.
not quite the material for a screen legend
Die beste Freundin17 August 2000
SF-kidsmovie with cartoonish quality, lots of action and some painfully dated special effects. Pretty entertaining, but not quite the material for a screen legend. To see Bette Davis in other post-Baby Jane roles, more worthy of her talent, watch ´Death on the Nile´ (1978) and ´Whales of August´ (1988).
Pale sequel; stick to the original
sjbradford18 February 2008
"Escape to Witch Mountain" is not a perfect movie, but has a good plot, well-developed characters, and beautiful scenery. "Return from Witch Mountain", unfortunately, has none of those. In this contrived sequel, Tony and Tia are left to fend for themselves while on vacation in Los Angeles (all the better to save on the budget!), where they become mixed up with a mad scientist (Christopher Lee), his partner (Bette Davis), and various other Disney stock characters. What charms the original had are completely absent from this sequel, which seems to borrow every cliché from the scores of middling-to-bad Disney movies which littered the movie landscape in the 1970s.
Much of the dialog is cringe-worthy; you'll actually be embarrassed watching it. You're better off re-watching the original.
Much of the dialog is cringe-worthy; you'll actually be embarrassed watching it. You're better off re-watching the original.
Nice for a sequel
gypsycaine13 June 2003
It's not perfect, and the wardrobe makes me shudder (Tia's poor clothing she never changes the entire movie!), but it's a nice Disney movie with some rather humorous parts. Eddie is particularly funny talking to the goat Alfred. Being a Tony and Tia fan, I thought this movie wonderful as a kid. As an adult, I see it as good "fodder" in the world of Spiderman, Hulk and the rest of the movies that have words that I have to remind my son not to repeat. Movie-makers seem to have forgotten the word "family".
The two siblings are deposited on the 50 yard line of the Rose Bowl 3 mos. before the next game, and escorted to the hotel by Eddie the Cabbie who drives more like a New York Cabbie. After Tony "visions" a man falling off a building (Davis' Letha's nephew, Sickle), he takes advantage of the cab's running out of gas to go help. As things do in the movies, the rescue wasn't as easy as he thought, and the good Doctor saw a golden opportunity to take control of molecular manipulation by enslaving Tony with his mind control device. Tia after feeling the prick of the hypodermic, goes to find him, and the chase is on with Tony vs. Tia the rest of the movie. The minivan is my favorite portion of the whole movie. *** out of 5 stars.
The two siblings are deposited on the 50 yard line of the Rose Bowl 3 mos. before the next game, and escorted to the hotel by Eddie the Cabbie who drives more like a New York Cabbie. After Tony "visions" a man falling off a building (Davis' Letha's nephew, Sickle), he takes advantage of the cab's running out of gas to go help. As things do in the movies, the rescue wasn't as easy as he thought, and the good Doctor saw a golden opportunity to take control of molecular manipulation by enslaving Tony with his mind control device. Tia after feeling the prick of the hypodermic, goes to find him, and the chase is on with Tony vs. Tia the rest of the movie. The minivan is my favorite portion of the whole movie. *** out of 5 stars.
The Disney MegaCorp uses animatronic versions . . .
oscaralbert25 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
. . . of Bette Davis and Christopher Lee to "star" in this apparent direct-to-video 2009 feature, RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN. Davis and Lee look deader than their namesakes Jefferson and Robert E. as robotic caricatures of themselves. Lee rips off his MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN villain from half a century earlier, while Davis revives one of the roles she originated for Sophocles: Electra. Speaking of rip-offs, the middle third of RETURN totally plagiarizes key plot elements from the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM series. It's surprising that Disney has yet to trot out RETURN as a Broadway Musical. Most of the action here screams out for romantic duets or sing & dance chorus ensembles. The part of Alfred the Goat would be great for any tenor worth his salt, and Ms. Davis' "Letha" character could be a lethal weapon when armed with coloratura A La FL0RENCE F0STER JENKIN$. Though Disney has bought up the copyrights to The Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens, and The Holy Bible, that's no excuse for them not exploiting their WITCH MOUNTAIN property for every ounce of "Molecular Mobilization" (including the Au Naturel Hags from Roman Polanski's MACBETH) that it's got.
A nice family movie
fanofkim14 June 1999
Tony and Tia come back from there home area, and then when a person interested in controlling the world finds out about their powers, Tony is captured. He takes control of Tony's powers, but Tia and her friends rescue him. This is a good movie, but I think 'Escape to Witch Mountain' is a little better.
More bad spfx come down from Witch Mountain, but some interesting LA locations
vampire_hounddog3 September 2020
The telekinetic space age kids (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards) return to 'civilisation' and visit LA, where the boy, Tony is kidnapped by a group of evil plotters (Christopher Lee and Bette Davis) who use his power to carry out evil deeds.
Sequel to ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (1975) provides much of the same, except in an urban setting and on the whole is good fun, even if the spfx have not improved much and are still pretty dreadful. The LA settings are interesting and worth a look at. Followed by a sequel over 30 years later with RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (2009).
Sequel to ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (1975) provides much of the same, except in an urban setting and on the whole is good fun, even if the spfx have not improved much and are still pretty dreadful. The LA settings are interesting and worth a look at. Followed by a sequel over 30 years later with RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (2009).
Annoyingly a sequel that chooses a lazy, formulaic evil villain storyline
r96sk23 August 2020
After an intriguing first film, 'Return from Witch Mountain' is annoyingly a sequel that chooses a lazy, formulaic evil villain storyline.
Don't get me wrong, what you get isn't anything majorly negative but it does very little to boost the production it precedes. The 1975 film ends with a revelation of something more, to the point you'd expect them to build upon it here. Sadly they don't, as we get a very bland bad guy.
Christopher Lee is notably in this, but unfortunately for him plays the aforementioned antagonist - Dr. Victor Gannon. He is joined by Bette Davis (Letha), who is equally forgettable. Kim Richards (Tia) and Ike Eisenmann (Tony) return to play the two kids, while there are decent minor roles for Jack Soo (Yokomoto) and Richard Bakalyan (Eddie).
Disappointing that they didn't continue the idea left by 'Escape to Witch Mountain'. As such, it was always going to come out weaker.
Don't get me wrong, what you get isn't anything majorly negative but it does very little to boost the production it precedes. The 1975 film ends with a revelation of something more, to the point you'd expect them to build upon it here. Sadly they don't, as we get a very bland bad guy.
Christopher Lee is notably in this, but unfortunately for him plays the aforementioned antagonist - Dr. Victor Gannon. He is joined by Bette Davis (Letha), who is equally forgettable. Kim Richards (Tia) and Ike Eisenmann (Tony) return to play the two kids, while there are decent minor roles for Jack Soo (Yokomoto) and Richard Bakalyan (Eddie).
Disappointing that they didn't continue the idea left by 'Escape to Witch Mountain'. As such, it was always going to come out weaker.
Should Have Stayed Home
AaronCapenBanner7 December 2013
John Hough directed this sequel that sees both Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards return as psychic siblings Tony & Tia Malone, who try to take a vacation in L.A.(with help from Uncle Bene, once again played by Denver Pyle) but are immediately targeted by evil adult siblings Victor & Letha(played by Christopher Lee & Bette Davis) who want to use their powers for world conquest, and after Tony is captured & brainwashed, Tia must enlist the help of a gang of kids to rescue Tony, and stop the criminals. Silly and contrived film has a good cast working with inferior material. Has little of the charm of the first, though kids may like it.
Good sequel
BandSAboutMovies12 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In the second Witch Mountain movie, Ike Eisenmann, Kim Richards and Denver Pyle all come back as Tony, Tia, and Uncle Bené, a family of extraterrestrials with special powers. How could they make this even better, you wonder? How about by having Bette Davis as the film's villain, a woman named Letha Wedge, who is financing the mad science of Dr. Victor Gannon (Christopher Lee).
Just imagine how many bad movies I've enjoyed just because Ms. Davis or Sir Lee appeared in. Both of them in the same film? You know that I jumped up and down for most of the run time of this.
It's funny because the bad guys have such cross purposes: Gannon wants recognition and power, while Letha merely wants to achieve better ROI. They see Tony using his power, kidnap him and turn him into a robot that steals gold for them.
This movie also has kids living in a destroyed mansion - the Earthquake Gang - and Jack Soo from Barney Miller as Mr. "Yo-Yo" Yokomoto, an adult on the side of the good guys. Sadly, Soo was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the autumn of 1978, several months after the film's release. He'd die just a few months later, making this his final appearance.
While John Hough would return to direct, the script for this was written by Malcolm Marmorstein, who wrote 69 episodes of Dark Shadows, the incredible Juan López Moctezuma-directed Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary; Pete's Dragon and wrote and directed Dead Men Don't Die and Love Bites.
Just imagine how many bad movies I've enjoyed just because Ms. Davis or Sir Lee appeared in. Both of them in the same film? You know that I jumped up and down for most of the run time of this.
It's funny because the bad guys have such cross purposes: Gannon wants recognition and power, while Letha merely wants to achieve better ROI. They see Tony using his power, kidnap him and turn him into a robot that steals gold for them.
This movie also has kids living in a destroyed mansion - the Earthquake Gang - and Jack Soo from Barney Miller as Mr. "Yo-Yo" Yokomoto, an adult on the side of the good guys. Sadly, Soo was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the autumn of 1978, several months after the film's release. He'd die just a few months later, making this his final appearance.
While John Hough would return to direct, the script for this was written by Malcolm Marmorstein, who wrote 69 episodes of Dark Shadows, the incredible Juan López Moctezuma-directed Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary; Pete's Dragon and wrote and directed Dead Men Don't Die and Love Bites.
Hasn't aged well
edblackham30 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The original was mediocre. This one was worse. I can't think of anything that was good in the movie. The plot was.. I'm not sure. This made the movie Gus look like an Academy award winner. The actors seemed embarrassed to be in it. There were actually a couple of decent actors that were terrible in it. Bette Davis. Seriously.
sequel to"Escape to Witch Mountain" and a bit better movie
disdressed1217 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
in this follow up to "Escape to Witch Mountain",Toni and Tia Malone(Ike Eisenmann,Kim Richards),leave the safe confines of their home on Witch Mountain,to visit New York.They are a few years older and their psychic abilities have grown.once again an evil madman finds out about their powers and will stop at nothing to gain control of them.there is bit of a twist in this movie,which i liked.there is more humour in this than the first movie and there is more action.there are also a few scenes of mild peril,compared to the 1st one.the stakes are a lot higher in this one,not just for Toni and Tia,but the world.Toni and Tia are less naive this time around,so they provide better resistance against the bad guy.i really enjoyed this film,a bit more so than the 1st.if you liked "Escape to Witch Mountain"you should not be disappointed with this film.a strong 8/10
Return from Witch Mountain
CinemaSerf4 June 2023
Much as with Ray Milland & Donald Pleasence in the first of these; this sequel is much more about the baddies - in this case a wonderfully venal Bette Davis "Letha" and Christopher Lee as the bonkers scientist "Victor": Lee must be twice the height of his diminutive co-star! Our pair of kids get to go to Los Angeles for a visit. On their way into town, they become separated - "Tony" (Ike Eisenmann) rescues a man he thinks has jumped off a building only to find that it is "Sickle", Davis' nephew and Lee's mind-control experiment guinea pig. They drug and kidnap Tony and carry out some fun capers in her search for loot... Meantime, "Tia" (Kim Richards) has rescued the "Earthquake Gang" from their own kiddie equivalent of "West Side Story" and they all set out to find her lost brother. The adult performances are all good fun, the story has a few twists and turns; goats and extortion, and there are some basic, enjoyable, special effects deployed throughout this rather, comically, predictable fantasy. This is a good follow up, an enjoyable family feature.
All Deposit, Little Return
wes-connors28 December 2010
The intergalactic kids who charmed "Escape from Witch Mountain" (1975) - telekinetic Ike Eisenmann (as Tony Malone) and telepathic Kim Richards (as Tia Malone) - return to Earth for a vacation. They land their flying saucer at a deserted Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Elsewhere in Los Angeles, mad scientist Christopher Lee (as Victor Gannon) demonstrates his mind-controlling invention for greedy partner Bette Davis (as Letha Wedge) by commanding her vertigo-suffering nephew Anthony James (as Sickle) to scale a skyscraper. An accident causes Mr. James' to fall, but young Eisenmann has sensed trouble, and saves him from certain death.
Impressed by the teenager's powers, Ms. Davis and Mr. Lee kidnap Eisenmann, drug him, strap him to a lab table, probe his chest, and take control of his mind with an ear contraption. Among other things, they want Eisenmann to levitate some gold from an exhibition. Left behind, young sister Richards tries to rescue her brother, with help from a truant gang of boys. They are pursued by educator Jack Soo, in his last film role. Mr. Soo wants kids to stay in school.
If you haven't figured it out by now, this is an obvious production-line sequel to the unexpectedly imaginative and successful original. Writer Malcolm Marmorstein, who stirred up trouble in "Dark Shadows" and "Peyton Place", didn't get many opportunities to add a goat named "Alfred" his story lines. Everyone here deserved better.
**** Return from Witch Mountain (3/10/78) John Hough ~ Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Anthony James, Ike Eisenmann
Impressed by the teenager's powers, Ms. Davis and Mr. Lee kidnap Eisenmann, drug him, strap him to a lab table, probe his chest, and take control of his mind with an ear contraption. Among other things, they want Eisenmann to levitate some gold from an exhibition. Left behind, young sister Richards tries to rescue her brother, with help from a truant gang of boys. They are pursued by educator Jack Soo, in his last film role. Mr. Soo wants kids to stay in school.
If you haven't figured it out by now, this is an obvious production-line sequel to the unexpectedly imaginative and successful original. Writer Malcolm Marmorstein, who stirred up trouble in "Dark Shadows" and "Peyton Place", didn't get many opportunities to add a goat named "Alfred" his story lines. Everyone here deserved better.
**** Return from Witch Mountain (3/10/78) John Hough ~ Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Anthony James, Ike Eisenmann
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