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) (as Keith A. Walker), Keith Walker (screenplay) (as Keith A. Walker)

Stars:

Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen

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 | killer whale | animal | no opening credits | warner bros. | 

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Taglines:

A 12 year old street kid. A 3 ton orca whale. A friendship you could never imagine. An adventure you'll never forget.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language

Details

Country:

USA France Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Free Willy

Filming Locations:

San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,868,829, 18 July 1993

Gross USA:

$77,698,625

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$153,698,625

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Canal+, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dial's car is a, 1991 Chevrolet Corvette C4.

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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

Rae: You like whales?
Jesse: I like him.
Rae: Well, he doesn't like anybody, so stay away from him. You see, Willy's a case. A very special case.
Jesse: So? Who isn't?

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Alternate Versions

The 2015 Blu-ray release plasters the Warner Bros. Family Entertainment logo with the 2003 variant of the 1998 Warner Bros. Pictures logo.

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Connections

Referenced in Black Box: Free Will (2014)

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Soundtracks

Right Here (Human Nature Remix)
Written by Brian Alexander Morgan (as Brian Morgan), John Bettis, and Steve Porcaro
Performed by S.W.V.
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Music

User Reviews

Sweet, meaningful movie

It might not be the Shawshank Redemption or an equally provocative and important movie. But it's touching. As a child it was my favorite movie and I'd watch it every day for a period of about 3 months. It made me cry, but it meant a lot to me. It might have it's corny moments, but kids like it, and my parents liked it too. Compared to a lot of the movies kids force their parents to watch, this one isn't so bad.

It's really sweet, and it puts out a good message. It allows you to feel and care about things that go on it the world. I dug this out today and watched it again and it was still pretty magical to me, although I'm much older now. I don't see why this is rated a 5.2. I guess I wouldn't tell every adult to go out and watch it, but if you have kids, or just love animals, then give this a shot. It's a good film.