After two friends return home from the Vietnam War one becomes mentally unstable and obsesses with becoming a bird.
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Title: Birdy (1984)
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3 wins & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Matthew Modine | ... | Birdy | |
| Nicolas Cage | ... | Al Columbato | |
| John Harkins | ... | Doctor Weiss | |
| Sandy Baron | ... | Mr. Columbato | |
| Karen Young | ... | Hannah Rourke | |
| Bruno Kirby | ... | Renaldi | |
| Nancy Fish | ... | Mrs. Prevost | |
 |
George Buck | ... | Birdy's Father |
|
|
Dolores Sage | ... | Birdy's Mother |
| Pat Ryan | ... | Joe Sagessa (as Robert L. Ryan) | |
|
|
James Santini | ... | Mario Columbato |
|
|
Maud Winchester | ... | Doris Robinson (as Maude Winchester) |
| Marshall Bell | ... | Ronsky | |
|
|
Elizabeth Whitcraft | ... | Rosanne |
|
|
Sandra Beall | ... | Shirley |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Philly boys Al and Birdy became friends in high school despite the extreme difference in their personalities, Al being the popular and athletic extrovert, Birdy the antisocial "weird" introvert. Al gave Birdy his nickname because of his fascination - obsession really - with birds, especially with flight. Al and Birdy have just completed their service of duty in the Vietnam War and have returned to the States. Al sustained some serious physical injuries, which required major reconstructive surgery to his face. Birdy, however, returned from Vietnam seemingly emotionally scarred. He was missing in action for one month. He has not spoken since he was found. Despite his own medical issues, Al travels to the institution where Birdy is being kept to see if he can assist in getting Birdy out of his near comatose state. Having always had issues with authority, Al is less than forthright with the doctors about Birdy's mental state prior to the war. As Al tries whatever he can to help Birdy ... Written by Huggo
Taglines:
A soaring experience unlike anything you've ever seen before.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 December 1984 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Alas de libertad See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$12,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$13,720, 25 December 1984, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,455,045Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Birdy: [to a surprised Al, who was expecting to see Birdy dead] What?
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
First use of the skycam in a feature film. It was a camera held by wires supported by four cranes and controlled by computer, and was used in Birdy's dream sequence of actually being able to fly. See more »Goofs
Al calls Birdy "Al" (11:08) See more »Quotes
[last lines]Birdy: [to a surprised Al, who was expecting to see Birdy dead] What?
See more »
Crazy Credits
Animals: Perta ... Bird No. 9 Perta's Stunts ... Queepers Alfonso ... AS HIMSELF Cat ... Hobbie Dogs ... Sneaky, Willey, Ace, Prince, Tiger, Bo, Rudah, Chiggar, Tyko, Kelly, Red, Fantasy, Scooter. Seagull ... Jonathan Snake ... Monty Jungle Bird ... Horatio Pigeons ... No's. 1 to 84 See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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If ever I needed convincing that Nicholas Cage is a great actor and human being, it is in this role and the brilliant performance of Birdie himself. If ever good can be portrayed as coming out of bad, it is the deeply moving message and point of making a movie like this. Who needs convincing that war is evil, that life is cruel and that love conquers all its madness? Who can even begin to understand the torment of post-traumatic stress? Those who perpetrate suffering not only to humans but animals alike can never have the empathy that defines us as human. On many levels, the story and how it is told, speaks to the heart and we weep in sympathy for the pain of those who suffer whether from mental illness, bullying or the unspeakable abuses of war. Where have all the great movie makers like Alan Parker gone? There is nothing but fake, shallow and profit orientated products that mirror the fake, shallow and insecure "virtual" relating that goes on today. For that I weep. It has created a hunger deeper than that suffered from starving Biafra.