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 | Nature | Reference To Jack Kerouac | Flowers

Awards:

2 wins & 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:

Zen Waterfall

A flock of parrots and a homeless man teach us about relationships, life and love

It's a shame more people won't get to see this film. I find that documentaries such as this are increasingly becoming much more entertaining than the rehashed plots that Hollywood dishes out. The themes that even some of the best mainstream movies explore very well are that much more poignant and interesting when they're presented in real life. What's more, the plots in real life are often stranger and more fanciful. The relationship between Mark Bittner and this group of misplaced San Francisco parrots is amazingly deep and will touch your heart. Mark recognizes many of these birds by name and knows their personalities more thoroughly than most people know their friends. It's a wonderful piece of luck for all of us that a documentary film maker took the time to explore the life of a man and flock of animals that most people would never give a second thought. All the way through you care for the animals and Mark, and the ending is wonderful for mark and the film maker in a way that seems like it had to be dreamed up for Hollywood.