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Birdy (1984)

 -  Drama | War  -  21 December 1984 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 12,945 users  
Reviews: 58 user | 26 critic

After two friends return home from the Vietnam War one becomes mentally unstable and obsesses with becoming a bird.

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(based on the novel by), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: Birdy (1984)

Birdy (1984) on IMDb 7.1/10

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3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
John Harkins ...
Sandy Baron ...
...
...
...
...
Dolores Sage ...
Pat Ryan ...
Joe Sagessa (as Robert L. Ryan)
James Santini ...
Maud Winchester ...
Doris Robinson (as Maude Winchester)
...
Elizabeth Whitcraft ...
Sandra Beall ...
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Storyline

Two friends arrive back from Vietnam, scarred in different ways. One has physical injuries, the other has mental problems that make him yearn to be a bird, a subject he has always been fascinated with. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A soaring experience unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Genres:

Drama | War

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

21 December 1984 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Alas de libertad  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film makes use of several songs by Ritchie Valens such as "Come On, Let's Go" and "La Bamba". See more »

Goofs

The position of Birdy's arm and hands change between shots. (at around 15 mins). See more »

Quotes

Birdy: Last night I flew. I really know what it feels like to fly.
Sergeant Al Columbato: Oh, you flew? How you flew?
Birdy: Well, I'm not sure. It's not something you can really take apart. When I fly, it's like in a dream. Only it's not a dream. The thing is, Al, you can't really put it into words. You just kind of have to feel it.
Sergeant Al Columbato: You're telling me you can fly like a bird?
Birdy: When I fly, Al... I am a bird.
Sergeant Al Columbato: This is getting too weird, Birdy. You gotta stop it with this.
Birdy: I thought if anybody would understand it would be you, Al.
Sergeant Al Columbato: Well...
[...]
See more »

Crazy Credits

Animals: Perta ... Bird No. 9 Perta's Stunts ... Queepers Alfonso ... AS HIMSELF Cat ... Hobbie Dogs ... Sneaky, Willey, Ace, Prince, Tiger, Bo, Rudah, Chiggar, Tyko, Kelly, Red, Fantasy, Scooter. Seagull ... Jonathan Snake ... Monty Jungle Bird ... Horatio Pigeons ... No's. 1 to 84 See more »

Connections

Referenced in Valley Girl: 20 Totally Tubular Years Later (2003) See more »

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User Reviews

 
The interplay of an extrovert and an introvert is both hilarious and an intriguing psychological study.
9 April 1999 | by (Shanghai, China) – See all my reviews

Many critics rated this as one of the most overlooked films of the mid-eighties. The film has moments of deep seriousness blended with killer humour. The interplay of an extrovert and an introvert - the different ways that they think and react to situations - is often hilarious. The film can also be regarded as an intriguing psychological study, as Cage tries every technique his fast-paced mind can think of to snap his introverted friend out of his acute mental state - a condition caused by witnessing the horrors of warfare. It is extremely interesting to see what works in the end. Modine's physically-challenging performance is top-notch. Contains a great Peter Gabriel soundtrack as well. Although not to everyone's taste, I, for one, liked the "gag" ending. (10 out of 10)


11 of 15 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Where did Matthew Modine go? ragelse80
Soundtrack!!!!! soymilk
Is it a remarkable frienship or Gay relationship? uday_b78
Who has come to this movie through the soundtrack?? drf711
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