Brewster McCloud (1970)

An introverted loner living in the bowels of the Astrodome plots to develop - with the aid of a mysterious guardian angel - a pair of wings that will help him fly.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Doran William Cannon

Stars:

Bud Cort, Sally Kellerman, Michael Murphy

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bud Cort	...	Brewster McCloud
Sally Kellerman	...	Louise
Michael Murphy	...	Det. Lt. Frank Shaft
William Windom	...	Weeks
Shelley Duvall	...	Suzanne Davis
Rene Auberjonois	...	The Lecturer
Stacy Keach	...	Abraham Wright
John Schuck	...	Officer Johnson
Margaret Hamilton	...	Daphne Heap
Jennifer Salt	...	Hope
Corey Fischer	...	Officer Hines
G. Wood	...	Det. Capt. Crandall
Bert Remsen	...	Officer Douglas Breen
Angelin Johnson	...	Mrs. Breen
Dean Goss	...	Officer Ledbetter

Storyline

Brewster is an owlish, intellectual boy who lives in a fallout shelter of the Houston Astrodome. He has a dream: to take flight within the confines of the stadium. Brewster tells those he trusts of his dream, but displays a unique way of treating others who do not fit within his plans. When the fateful day arrives, and he enters the dome with his fanciful construction of bird wings, Brewster is surrounded by the police. Will he be caught before he attempts to fly?

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Plot Keywords:

wings | flight | fallout shelter | guardian angel | bird | 

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Taglines:

THIS MAY BE OVER YOUR HEAD.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Japan Sky Way [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 1971 (France)

Also Known As:

Anche gli uccelli uccidono

Filming Locations:

Astrodome - 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lion's Gate Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A single 70mm print of the film was struck for its premiere in the Houston Astrodome to be shown in front of over 23,000 people. By all accounts, it was a disaster with terrible sound problems.

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Goofs

When the Road Runner makes a left turn on Old Spanish Trail heading west, Johnson's police cruiser switches from a 1970 Plymouth Fury to a 1968 Fury III.

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Quotes

Det. Capt. Crandall: I know birdshit when I see it! Now I suggest we drop this birdshit shit and settle down to some old-fashioned policework!

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, all the actors turn up as Circus Performers and are introduced by the Ring Master - ending with Bud Cort, who lies dead in the center ring.

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Connections

Referenced in Forrest Gump (1994)

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Soundtracks

"The Star Spangled Banner"
Written by Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith
Performed by Margaret Hamilton and the Jack Yates High School Band

User Reviews

Not for everybody

Bud Cort plays Brewster McCloud. He's a very strange young man who lives in the Houston Astrodome and is building a huge set of wings so he can fly. The movie is about him and his VERY odd assortment of friends and family. And how about the killer running around Houston strangling people and leaving bird droppings on them?

As you can see this is a very strange film. It's unlike anything director Robert Altman has ever done. The film isn't perfect--it's too long, the weirdness wears you down at times, some of the humor is real sick and there are characters that are just disgusting (Stacy Keach) or too flat out weird, even for this movie (Jennifer Salt)! And what's with the circus ending (entertaining as it is)? Still I love this film.

The story rambles all over the place but I was able to keep track of it. Altman packs the movie with plenty of bird imagery and references. He also pays homage to other films also--most notably "The Wizard of Oz" (right up to having Margaret Hamilton in the cast and check out how Salt is dressed at times). This really doesn't pull together in any way but it IS fascinating to watch. Also the cast is great--with one exception--Michael Murphy. He's miscast and looks miserable. But everybody else is perfect. Particular standouts are Cort (very good in a difficult role), Shelley Duvall (who usually annoys me to no end) and Sally Kirkland (looking absolutely stunning). Also there's a very cute injoke--there's a quick shot of the poster for "MASH" in Duvall's apartment!

This film was overshadowed by Altman's "MASH" in 1970. Also, the studio hated it and threw it away. Now, however, it is rightfully considered one of the best films of its decade. I highly recommend this--but not for everybody. If you like a linear plot and easily defined characters, stay away.