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Birdy

Play trailer Poster for Birdy R 1984 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Birdy returns from the Vietnam War scarred from the horrific experiences of battle. He is so damaged by what he saw that he has shut himself off from reality completely, imagining that he is actually a bird. Birdy is confined to a mental hospital, where the doctors are at a loss as to how to treat him. In an attempt to help, Al, his best friend from high school -- and who was also in Vietnam -- visits him every day to try and get through to him.

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Birdy

Birdy

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Critics Consensus

Aided by strong work from Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage, Birdy finds director Alan Parker turning a supposedly unfilmable novel into a soaring -- and emotionally searing -- success.

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Critics Reviews

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William Thomas Empire Magazine 12/16/2023
2/5
Despite the film's heavily symbolic tone, little is revealed about either of the characters or indeed the Vietnam War. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 12/16/2023
2.5/4
Far better as an antiwar film than as a poetic tribute to flight. Go to Full Review Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times 12/16/2023
It may not satisfy hard-line lovers of the book, who may argue that William Wharton's eccentric characters should have remained between its covers, but for those who do not know the novel, or for less rigid William Wharton-ites, it is a risk well taken. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap 08/19/2024
4/5
Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine give stellar performances as Philly youths torn apart physically and spiritually by war in Alan Parker's unsparing portrait of brotherly affection. Go to Full Review Jeff Simon Buffalo News 12/16/2023
It has more cinematic integrity than 90 per cent of the rest of local movie fare combined. It ought to be seen. Go to Full Review JoAnn Rhetts Charlotte Observer 12/16/2023
What's particularly gratifying about Cage's performance as the preening and pitiful Al is that it proves at long last that his delightful work in "Valley Girl" was no fluke. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gregory S @Gregory566 Jul 12 Modine and Cage are excellent. No question this the most underrated film for both. See more john h @RT11274104 06/02/2025 One of the very first appearances of Matthew Modine and Nicholas Cage that was received well by critics and established both as promising actors. Alan Parker's direction is atmospheric and surreal, just as much as the events in the story that are questionable given their abrupt instances of comedy at the resolution. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 06/18/2024 Not entirely sure what I just watched but certain that I didn’t enjoy it. A guy with a bird fetish goes mad?? I mean errr I don’t want to state the obvious here but. Watched on SKY Cinema. See more Daniel N @RT96535420 06/16/2024 2 hours I’ll never get back. Strange lust for birds that makes audience very uncomfortable. Bird costume was a nice touch. Mr Cage was ripped. See more Jelisije J @jjosifovic 06/08/2024 If you ever want to watch a movie about a young man obsession with being a bird....... you are in for a treat in this unforgettable film. See more Chris H @RT60525826 08/21/2023 A film with high ideals, perhaps, to show us how war affects people, but it is let down by the fact that Birdy has always been a very strange individual and, to be frank, he seems just the same (albeit even more withdrawn) after his Vietnam experiences. Al is the more interesting character and his insecurities eventually reveal themselves. A lot of the film is made up of mawkish flashbacks to Birdy and Al's childhood, which can be tedious. Eventually the film approaches some kind of conclusion, then falls apart at the very end. It's well acted and is better than I'm making it sound but, honestly, don't expect anything profound here. See more Read all reviews
Birdy

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Parker

Director

Matthew Modine

Birdy

Nicolas Cage

Sergeant Al Columbato

Sandy Baron

Mr. Columbato

John Harkins

Doctor Major Weiss

Karen Young

Hannah Rourke

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Birdy

Birdy (1984) Birdy (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Birdy returns from the Vietnam War scarred from the horrific experiences of battle. He is so damaged by what he saw that he has shut himself off from reality completely, imagining that he is actually a bird. Birdy is confined to a mental hospital, where the doctors are at a loss as to how to treat him. In an attempt to help, Al, his best friend from high school -- and who was also in Vietnam -- visits him every day to try and get through to him.
Director
Alan Parker
Producer
Alan Marshall
Screenwriter
Jack Behr, Sandy Kroopf, William Wharton
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
TriStar Pictures, Delphi III Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround