Free Willy (1993)

When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writers:

Keith Walker (story), Keith Walker (screenplay),

Stars:

Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson

7 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason James Richter	...	Jesse
Lori Petty	...	Rae Lindley
Jayne Atkinson	...	Annie Greenwood
August Schellenberg	...	Randolph Johnson
Michael Madsen	...	Glen Greenwood
Michael Ironside	...	Dial
Richard Riehle	...	Wade
Mykelti Williamson	...	Dwight Mercer
Michael Bacall	...	Perry
Danielle Harris	...	Gwenie
Isaiah Malone	...	Vector
Betsy Toll	...	Passerby #1
Rob Sample	...	Passerby #2
Merrilyn Jones	...	Passerby #3
Mickey Gaines	...	Waiter

Storyline

Fishermen separate a young orca whale (Willy) from his parents and he ends up in a fish bowl at a marina. Meanwhile, a street kid runs afoul of the law and gets caught vandalising the marina, but his social worker gets him off the hook (so to speak) provided he cleans up his mess at the marina. While there, he befriends the whale and teaches him tricks, something the trainer hasn't been able to do. But when Willy is a dud in front of the audience, the marina owner plans some bad things, and the boy and his friends must try to (*** MAJOR SPOILERS ***) free Willy.

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Plot Keywords:

whale | marina | social worker | aquarium | killer whale | 

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Taglines:

How far would you go for a friend?

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Genres:

Family | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Liberen a Willy

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£4,030,138 (UK) (4 March 1994)

Gross:

£5,343,231 (UK) (15 April 1994)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Canal+, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the film's opening, one of the whaling vessels bears the name 'Pequod', a nod to the whaling ship in 'Moby Dick'.

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Goofs

When Willy is jumping over the stone wall at the end of the movie, the bottom of the actual whale does not match the pattern of the CGI whale that lands the jump.

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Quotes

Mr. Dial: [to Wade] The Willy Show! It'll make money. That, my friend, is what we're all about!

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Connections

Referenced in The Car Keys (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Will You Be There"
(Theme from "Free Willy")
Written and Produced by Michael Jackson
Co-Produced by Bruce Swedien
Performed by Michael Jackson
Courtesy of Epic Records

User Reviews

A heart warming film that touches your soul.

Its a real family movie with lots of love. This film is a great way for kids to learn about Whales, family and friendship. Its one not to be missed, its makes you feel all warm in side. It made me cry back when I was 5 and it still does today. This Film will always be in our hearts. If you have kids this is the one to show them, they will laugh, cry and learn to love the adorable killer Whale Willy which a lot of us have done. This film has taught us a lot about captivity and the need of freedom. There should be more films like this. If you are in need of a friend there will always be on in animals and this film has shown us so with Jesse and Willy. This film will continue to touch many hearts of the world.