The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2003)

Director:

Judy Irving

Release Date:

22 September 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The true story of a bohemian St Francis and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red and green parrots

Plot:

A homeless musician finds meaning to his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots.

Plot Keywords:

Parrot | Musician | Bird | Hawk | Death Of Pet

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Mark Bittner	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Judy Irving	...	Herself (uncredited)

Directed by
Judy Irving

Produced by
Judy Irving	....	producer

Original Music by
Chris Michie

Cinematography by
Judy Irving

Film Editing by
Judy Irving

Sound Department
Jaime Kibben	....	sound recordist
Samuel Lehmer	....	sound editor
Samuel Lehmer	....	sound re-recording mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
James Attwood	....	additional photographer
Mark Bittner	....	additional photographer
Jacquelyne Cordes	....	additional photographer
Howard Munson	....	additional photographer

Editorial Department
Tricia Chiarenza	....	color timer

Music Department
Mark Eakle	....	musician: flute

Production Companies

• Pelican Media

Distributors

• Shadow Distribution (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• New Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• National Film Network (????) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)  thanks
• Skywalker Sound  re-recording services

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U | USA:G

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Pelican Media

Trivia:

The flock of wild parrots fly behind the red-tailed hawk in order to escape it.

Soundtrack:

Ain't We Got Fun

Wildlife and humanity in the City

Judy Irving and Mark Bittner have done a wonderful job capturing his calmness and humanity against the backdrop of wild parrots. Is this a film about parrots or Mark or both? Both! And it really works well. Ms. Irving put her movie making talents all together to combine a wildlife documentary and science lesson with a love story. Mark treats these birds as wild animals although many of them act like pets. They're wild and that's the way they should be. Mark and the parrots fear the hawks (Red-tailed, Red Shouldered, Coopers, and Sharp Shinned and probably a Peregrine Falcon - sorry I'm a birder), but Mark also shows us some of the aggression and odd bird behavior in the flock that seems to be pretty normal. A very good movie...and tremendous scenes of San Francisco.

Thanks Mark and Judy.

Mike Oakland