Birdy
1984 · Movie · 120 min · ★ 7.1 · 76% critics
Two childhood friends return from the Vietnam War carrying deep physical and emotional scars. When one retreats into a bird-obsessed inner world inside a military hospital, the other tries to reach him through shared memories, stubborn loyalty, and the hope that friendship can pull them both back toward life.
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Details
- Years
- 1984
- Release date
- 1984-12-14
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Critic score
- 76/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (571 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want an intense, character-driven story about friendship, trauma, and escape, with a reflective pace; Not for you if you need constant action or avoid upsetting animal-related moments.
Pros: powerful friendship focus; moving, haunting mood; memorable performances | Cons: slow, talky stretches; unsettling animal scene; uneven acting for some
Themes
- vietnam war
- lunatic asylum
Awards & recognition
- Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix · 1985
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Cast & crew
Matthew Modine
as Birdy
Nicolas Cage
as Sergeant Al Columbato
John Harkins
as Doctor Major Weiss
Sandy Baron
as Mr. Columbato
Karen Young
as Hannah Rourke
Bruno Kirby
as Renaldi
Nancy Fish
as Mrs. Prevost
George Buck
as Birdy's Father
Dolores Sage
as Birdy's Mother
Pat Ryan
as Joe Sagessa
Directed by Alan Parker