"Race to Witch Mountain" is a science fiction adventure film directed by Andy Fickman and released in 2009. It is a remake of the 1975 film "Escape to Witch Mountain" and based on the 1968 novel of the same name by Alexander Key. The movie stars Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, and Carla Gugino. The story revolves around two siblings, Sara and Seth, who possess extraordinary powers and are not from Earth. They crash-land on Earth and seek the help of a cab driver named Jack Bruno, played by Dwayne Johnson, to locate their spaceship and return home. However, they are pursued by various government agents and an alien assassin who wants to capture them.
The vast majority of people who were accused of witchcraft were never executed for it. Many of them plead guilty, knowing they would be spared if they did so (only those who insisted they were not guilty were executed). Others stayed in jail until the witch mania was over and the town realized its mistake; these people were then set free.
If you discover a possible connection to someone involved in the witch trials and want to investigate it further, or you know you are descended from someone who was involved and want to learn more about the person, there are many resources available to you. The Bloodlines of Salem website has some good information on the trials, as well as a section on notable descendants of the accused and the accusers.
However, they are pursued by various government agents and an alien assassin who wants to capture them. "Race to Witch Mountain" is a fast-paced and action-packed film that combines elements of science fiction, adventure, and mystery. It explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself.
Witches in the Family? Resources for Researching the Families of the Salem Witch Trials
Do you have a connection to the Salem witch trials of 1692? How do you know? Here are some resources for finding out, and for tracing your Salem witch ancestry.
Listen to the Podcast on YouTube | iTunes | Google | SpotifyAre you interested in the history of the Salem witch trials of 1692? Do you wonder if you have a genealogical connection to any of the people involved in it? It's a unique distinction since not everyone in New England was involved. If you have an ancestor who you can connect to Salem Village of Danvers in some way, you may just have a witch trials connection.
The town of Salem was not the exact location of the witch trials. Though the trials bear the name of the town, it was actually neighboring Salem village where the witch trials took place. Today, Salem Village is known as Danvers, and you will find several original buildings and sites associated with the trials there.
Any ancestor who lived in Danvers or in its earlier incarnation as Salem Village may have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or other more distant direct ancestors who lived there and who were involved in the witch trials. Keep tracing the line back, and you may just discover a name that is associated with the witch trials.
When it comes to witch trials genealogy, there are two groups you should concentrate on… the accused witches and the accusers. Sometimes, you might find that you have direct ancestors in both groups. There were dozens of people in both groups, as well. However, only 19 people were actually executed for witchcraft. All but one of these people were hanged, while the remaining one was pressed to death because he would not plead guilty or not guilty.
The pressing was meant to force a pleading, but Giles Cory refused to plead, knowing if he did, his property would be taken by the town and his children could not inherit it. His wife, Martha, was hanged for witchcraft a few days before he was pressed. The names of all of those who were executed are now on benches on a memorial in the town square in Salem proper. If you find you are descended from someone who was executed for witchcraft, you are in a very unique group, indeed.
The vast majority of people who were accused of witchcraft were never executed for it. Many of them plead guilty, knowing they would be spared if they did so (only those who insisted they were not guilty were executed). Others stayed in jail until the witch mania was over and the town realized its mistake; these people were then set free.
Not everyone who was accused or an accuser left descendants, and some of them disappeared from history altogether. Abigail Williams, one of the original group of girls who began the accusations that started the trials, disappeared from Salem Village as a teenager and no record of her has been found after her departure from the town. But plenty of people did leave descendants. If one of your ancestor was an accused or an accuser, you are part of one of the most notorious and intriguing periods in American history, one with a cause that is still being debated today.
If you discover a possible connection to someone involved in the witch trials and want to investigate it further, or you know you are descended from someone who was involved and want to learn more about the person, there are many resources available to you.
In the town of Salem, the Peabody-Essex Museum has the original handwritten transcripts from the witch trials, where you can read the actual words that were spoken at the trials and who said them. You will also find artifacts, such as items that belonged to both the accused and the accusers, letters to other towns inquiring on the whereabouts of suspected witches, and even letters to the King of England asking him to intervene in the proceedings, so the witch madness would stop. This museum is one of the foremost places for research on the Salem witch trials in the country.
The Bloodlines of Salem website has some good information on the trials, as well as a section on notable descendants of the accused and the accusers. About.com has a site full of links to good resources on witch trial genealogy. You can also check the family trees of the accused and the accusers on Ancestry.com and trace them far backward in time or all the way forward in time with ease.
In addition, there is a lineage society you can join based on your descent from someone who was accused. The name of the society is The Associated Daughters of Early American Witches. Not many people qualify for membership, so if you have a witch trials accused ancestor and you're a woman, be sure to get your paperwork in and display your credentials proudly.
The Salem witch trials are still very much a part of the American identity. They are an event that has never been forgotten and lives on in the national imagination. Discover your own witch trial ancestry, and know you are part of something incredibly tragic and fascinating at the same time, and something that will never be forgotten.
The pressing was meant to force a pleading, but Giles Cory refused to plead, knowing if he did, his property would be taken by the town and his children could not inherit it. His wife, Martha, was hanged for witchcraft a few days before he was pressed. The names of all of those who were executed are now on benches on a memorial in the town square in Salem proper. If you find you are descended from someone who was executed for witchcraft, you are in a very unique group, indeed.
The movie takes the audience on a thrilling journey as the characters try to outrun their pursuers and reach the mysterious Witch Mountain. The performances in the film are solid, with Dwayne Johnson bringing his trademark charisma and charm to the role of Jack Bruno. AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig deliver convincing performances as the alien siblings who are trying to find their way back home. Carla Gugino also impresses as a discredited UFO expert who becomes involved in their journey. The visual effects in "Race to Witch Mountain" are impressive, particularly during the action sequences. The film also features some breathtaking landscapes as the characters travel across the Nevada desert. The soundtrack complements the film well, adding to the overall sense of excitement and adventure. Overall, "Race to Witch Mountain" is an entertaining and thrilling family film that combines science fiction elements with a compelling story and likable characters. It is sure to appeal to both children and adults who enjoy action-packed adventures. Whether you have seen the original film or not, this remake is worth watching for its exciting storyline and strong performances..
Reviews for "Race to Witch Mountain: A Return to Classic Adventure"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Race to Witch Mountain". The storyline felt extremely predictable and lacked any real excitement. The characters were also quite bland and difficult to connect with. I found myself losing interest halfway through the film and struggling to stay engaged until the end. Overall, it was a forgettable and uninspiring movie that didn't live up to its potential.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"Race to Witch Mountain" was a complete letdown. The plot was cliche and the special effects were underwhelming. The performances felt lackluster, making it difficult to feel invested in the characters' journey. The movie also seemed to drag on, with unnecessary scenes that didn't add much to the overall narrative. I was expecting a thrilling adventure, but all I got was a tedious and forgettable film.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Race to Witch Mountain," but unfortunately, it fell flat. The dialogue felt forced and the pacing was off, making it difficult to stay engaged. The action sequences were also underwhelming and lacked creativity. Additionally, the plot twists were predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, "Race to Witch Mountain" failed to deliver the excitement and entertainment I was expecting, leaving me disappointed.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Race to Witch Mountain" to be a mediocre film. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the story. The performances were also forgettable, with unconvincing dialogue and lackluster chemistry between the cast members. Ultimately, the movie failed to leave a lasting impression, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging watch.
5. Jason - 1 star
"Race to Witch Mountain" was a complete waste of time. The story felt disjointed and rushed, and the plot holes were too glaring to ignore. The characters lacked depth and development, leaving me feeling detached from their journey. The action sequences were also underwhelming and lacked any real excitement. Overall, the film failed to capture my attention and left me feeling unfulfilled. I would advise skipping this one.