Escape from the Dark
| Escape from the Dark | |
|---|---|
 UK Quad Poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Jarrott |
| Written by | Rosemary Anne Sisson |
| Story by | Burt Kennedy Rosemary Anne Sisson |
| Produced by | Ron Miller |
| Starring | Alastair Sim Peter Barkworth Maurice Colbourne Susan Tebbs Andrew Harrison Chloe Franks |
| Cinematography | Paul Beeson |
| Edited by | Richard Marden |
| Music by | Ron Goodwin |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date | May 26, 1976 (UK) March 11, 1977 (US) |
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
Escape from the Dark (American title: The Littlest Horse Thieves) is a 1976 British-American family drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions, directed by Charles Jarrott and starring Alastair Sim (in his final film role), Peter Barkworth and Maurice Colbourne.[1]
The film was released in the United Kingdom on May 26, 1976. In the United States, it was released under the title The Littlest Horse Thieves on a double bill with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh on March 11, 1977.[2]
Plot[]
Set in 1909, a coal mine in Yorkshire, England has used pit ponies to haul coal for many years. When they are to be replaced by machinery that will speed up production and increase profits, three children – Dave (Andrew Harrison), Tommy (Benjie Bolgar) and Alice (Chloe Franks) – learn the ponies are to be slaughtered so they team up in a scheme to steal the horses and give them their freedom.
Cast[]
- Alastair Sim as Lord Harrogate
- Peter Barkworth as Richard Sandman
- Maurice Colbourne as Luke Armstrong
- Susan Tebbs as Violet Armstrong
- Andrew Harrison as Dave Sadler
- Chloe Franks as Alice Sandman
- Benjie Bolgar as Tommy Sadler
- Prunella Scales as Mrs. Sandman
- Leslie Sands as Foreman Sam Carter
- Joe Gladwin as Bert
- Jeremy Bulloch as Ginger
- Rich Moore as crying baby
Locations[]
Filming took place in 1975 around North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire such as Arkengarthdale, Langthwaite, Ripley Castle and Oakworth railway station. Also at Thorpe Hesley pit in South Yorkshire.
Home media[]
The film was released on VHS as Escape from the Dark (UK) and The Littlest Horse Thieves (US) by Walt Disney Home Video in the 1980s.
In June 1999, Anchor Bay Entertainment released the film on DVD for the first time in widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio and full-frame presentation without bonus features; Anchor Bay re-released the film on DVD on January 21, 2003 but only in full-frame presentation.
On July 28, 2009, The Littlest Horse Thieves was released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment as a Disney Movie Club exclusive DVD, available only to club members for mail or online ordering.
References[]
External links[]
- English-language films
- 1976 films
- 1977 films
- 1970s historical drama films
- British films
- British children's drama films
- British historical drama films
- American films
- American children's drama films
- 1970s English-language films
- Walt Disney Pictures films
- Films directed by Charles Jarrott
- Films produced by Ron W. Miller
- Films scored by Ron Goodwin
- Films set in the 1900s
- Films set in 1909
- Films set in Yorkshire
- Films shot at Pinewood Studios
- Films about horses
- Mining in film
- 1970s children's drama films
- American historical drama films
- 1976 drama films
- 1977 drama films