IMDb > Bird (1988)
Bird
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Videos
Bird (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   3,540 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Writer (WGA):
Joel Oliansky (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Bird on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama | Music more
Tagline:
"There are no second acts in American lives." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Plot:
The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
A Serious Man and the odd movie out
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 29 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)
At 50, Kind of Blue Still Totally Awesome
 (From newser. 17 August 2009, 12:16 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Tragedy of a Musical Legend: The Bird more (29 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Forest Whitaker ... Charlie 'Bird' Parker

Diane Venora ... Chan Parker

Michael Zelniker ... Red Rodney
Samuel E. Wright ... Dizzy Gillespie

Keith David ... Buster Franklin
Michael McGuire ... Brewster
James Handy ... Esteves
Damon Whitaker ... Young Bird

Morgan Nagler ... Kim

Arlen Dean Snyder ... Dr. Heath

Sam Robards ... Moscowitz

Penelope Windust ... Bellevue Nurse
Glenn Wright ... Alcoholic Patient (as Glenn T. Wright)
George Orrison ... Patient with Checkers

Bill Cobbs ... Dr. Caulfield
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
161 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Australia:M | Argentina:18 | UK:15 | Spain:13 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-10 | Norway:10 | Sweden:11 | USA:R | Germany:12 | Iceland:12
Filming Locations:
Birds Landing, California, USA more
Company:
Malpaso Company, The more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Though the actual saxophone playing is original Charlie Parker performances, the body and fingering during those are performed by Charles McPherson, who had to learn to breathe exactly like Parker did in the recordings. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Charlie Parker goes to Dizzy Gillespie's house in the middle of the night and asks Dizzy to write down a tune, the year is 1953. The tune is "Now's the Time", which was published and recorded in 1949. more
Quotes:
Chan Parker: Dizzy sent you a birthday card. Seems he's back in town. Do you owe him a phone call?
Charlie Parker: I owe Dizzy everything...except a phone call.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Pepe Guindo (1999) more
Soundtrack:
Albino Red Blues more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
The Tragedy of a Musical Legend: The Bird, 24 December 2007
Author: Senyales from Fraggle Rock

Clint Eastwood's love for jazz is clearly reflected in this marvelous piece of tragedy. 'Bird' is indeed about the one and only legendary Charlie Parker who lived a somewhat tortured life supported by his wife Chan, alcohol, substance abuse and jazz and yet he became the greatest give to jazz. His contribution remains one of the most essential to the music and he is one name that's required to be known by all jazz lovers. 'Bird' is one film that will especially appeal to jazz lovers.

The cinematography and lighting adds to the 40s and 50s chaotic jazz atmosphere. However, I thought that perhaps Parker's solos would have been better left with the original music instead of integrating it with modern musicians. Nevertheless this is one minor flaw. 'Bird' isn't told in chronological order and I was a little confused about the time-line but quickly it got clear.

I also loved the way Clintwood focused on the love story between Bird and Chan. There clearly was a deep love between the two but Parker was a difficult tormented soul and his wife always had a strong presence in his life, always being there for him despite his chronic abuse of drugs and alcohol and his infidelity. Forest Whitaker gives the performance of a lifetime. He's sublime but also ravaged and disturbingly tormented as Charlie Parker. I haven't seen 'The Last King of Scotland' but I wonder why it took years for this actor to get the deserved recognition. Diane Venora is just as good and in spite of having numerous good work to her credit, she too does not seem to get the deserved recognition.

I think 'Bird' would have been a better film about Parker, had Eastwood shown more of Parker's contribution to jazz in 'Bird'. I was already a little familiar with Parker's works and influence. We do catch a very little glimpse of Parker's struggle in getting accepted as a musician. As a result, 'Bird' isn't exactly a 'complete' biopic. I remember watching another beautiful biopic called 'Iris' but was very disappointed that there was no mention of the great writers works. Perhaps Eastwood wanted to limit the film from exceeding the length (it's already longer than two hours) yet at places the pace is quite lethargic.

Having said it all, in spite of its flaws, it remains a fantastic film that I recommend to everyone, not only jazz lovers. A fine piece of film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (29 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bird (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A Failure of a biopic epatten67
Why was it Rated R? mcbain20
Best Jazz Movie Ever? hansvandergeest
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Ray Introducing Dorothy Dandridge I'm Not There. Walk the Line Lady Sings the Blues
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.