Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973)

A skilled flyer but very rebellious young seagull is kicked out of his clan. However, instead of being sad or lonely, he decides to enjoy and explore his newfound freedom.

Director:

Hall Bartlett

Writer:

Hall Bartlett (screenplay)

Stars:

James Franciscus, Juliet Mills, Philip Ahn

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Franciscus	...	Jonathan Livingston Seagull (voice)
Juliet Mills	...	Marina (voice)
Philip Ahn	...	Chang (voice)
David Ladd	...	Fletcher Lynd Seagull (voice)
Kelly Harmon	...	Kimmy (voice)
Dorothy McGuire	...	Mother (voice)
Richard Crenna	...	Father (voice)

Storyline

Jonathan is sick and tired of the boring life in his sea-gull clan. He rather experiments with new, always more daring flying techniques. Since he doesn't fit in, the elders expel him from the clan. So he sets out to discover the world beyond the horizon in quest for wisdom.

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Plot Keywords:

seagull | famous score | spirituality | anthropomorphism | new age | 

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Taglines:

It's a lifestyle. It's the beauty of love, the joy of freedom. It's the best-selling book. It's Neil Diamond. It's a motion picture.

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Juan Salvador Gaviota

Filming Locations:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,600,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

JLS Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 99 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was made and released about four years after its source novella of the same name (aka "Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story") by Richard D. Bach had been first published in 1970.

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Quotes

Jonathan: I only wish to share what I've learned - the very simple fact that it is right for a gull to fly!

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Crazy Credits

Opening dedication: To the real Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who lives within us all.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Attack of the Eye Creatures (1992)

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Soundtracks

Anthem
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond
Sung by Neil Diamond
© 1973 Stonebridge Music (ASCAP) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

User Reviews

It's a metaphor rather than a "seagull movie"

If I was rating this movie back in 1973 when I saw the film in the theater on opening day, then it would have been a 10. Age does take it's toll on our opinions and we're 32 years down the line, hence my rating's decline from perfection.

One must keep in mind when viewing this film that if you expect it to be a Disney story about seagulls, then you are going to be gravely disappointed. In fact, Richard Bach, the writer, fought tooth and nail to prevent exactly that Disney influence in the face of a studio that wanted to add animated fake mouth movements over the photography of the seagulls.

The story is presented through the persona of seagulls, but it is NOT about seagulls. Like the book of the same name, the movie is actually a metaphor about people and life and the pursuit of learning and something better than "pack mentality". Those viewers who keep an eye toward those subtle metaphysical principles will recognize the jewel at the heart of the movie. Those viewers with no thought of higher principles or those looking for an animal movie may conversely wish they had never heard of it.

Alas, the movie studio seemed to be populated by the latter group. Ultimately infighting between Bach and the pro-mouth-movement studio honchos who wanted to retrofit the movie after its release resulted in the demise of the theatrical release within a few weeks of opening. Granted, there was a limited audience for the movie, but Bach didn't care since those who needed the message would find it and I personally think it would have lasted longer if left alone.

The photography is stunning and the soundtrack by Neil Diamond is stellar. Granted, by today's standards, both the movie and soundtrack are dated, but then so is anything made in the 70's.

When it came out originally I took everyone I knew to see it who was even slightly interested in such metaphors and all of them loved it. It remains to be one of my favorite movies in principle even today despite the dating.

If you are going to watch it today, just allocate two hours of your life that are free of constraints in which to relax and learn one small simple quiet lesson and then enjoy the spectacular scenery while you are doing it. If you can do that, you will love it.