Birdy (1984)
- Directed by
- Alan Parker
- Genre
- drama film, action film, war film
- Country
- United States
- Runtime
- 2h
- Rated
- 15+
- Rating
- 7.1 of 10 from 581 voters
- Elsewhere
- IMDb
The catalogue in 3D
The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.
How it feels
A teenage boy who loves birds forms a close friendship with another boy in 1960s Philadelphia. After serving in the Vietnam War, both young men struggle with the lasting effects of their trauma.
introspectivemelancholictraumaticnostalgicintimatesombergentlereflective
What happens
Birdy is a 1984 American drama film based on William Wharton's 1978 novel. Directed by Alan Parker, it stars Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage. Set in 1960s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the film focuses on the friendship between two teenage boys, Birdy (Modine) and Al Columbato (Cage). The story is presented in flashbacks, with a frame narrative depicting their traumatic experiences serving in the Vietnam War. Parker initially turned down an opportunity to direct, believing that the complex book could not be successfully adapted for a feature film. The project resurfaced in 1982 when A&M Films, a subsidiary of A&M Records, acquired the film rights and commissioned Sandy Kroopf and Jack Behr to write the screenplay. Upon reading the script, Parker returned as director, and the film continued development at Tri-Star Pictures. Principal photography began in May 1984 and concluded in August of that year. Filming took place on locations in Philadelphia and Santa Clara, California. The film is notable for being the first to be partially shot with the Skycam, a computer-controlled camera system created by Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown. The score was composed by Peter Gabriel. Birdy opened in limited release on December 12, 1984. It underperformed at the North American box office, grossing only $1.4 million against a budget of $12 million. The film received mostly positive reviews, and has an approval rating of 83% at Rotten Tomatoes. Birdy was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 1984, and won the Grand Prix Spécial du Jury prize at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)
More like this
The Three Wishes of Billy Grier (1984)
Going Back (1984)
Falling in Love (1984)
Misunderstood (1984)
The Stone Boy (1984)
Old Enough (1984)
Purple Hearts (1984)
The Razor's Edge (1984)- More like this film, on a shelf you can walk up to.It's the lit case on the top shelf.