After two friends return home from the Vietnam War one becomes mentally unstable and obsesses with becoming a bird.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Matthew Modine | ... |
Birdy
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| Nicolas Cage | ... |
Al Columbato
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| John Harkins | ... |
Doctor Weiss
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| Sandy Baron | ... |
Mr. Columbato
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| Karen Young | ... |
Hannah Rourke
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| Bruno Kirby | ... |
Renaldi
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| Nancy Fish | ... |
Mrs. Prevost
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George Buck | ... |
Birdy's Father
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Dolores Sage | ... |
Birdy's Mother
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| Pat Ryan | ... |
Joe Sagessa
(as Robert L. Ryan)
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James Santini | ... |
Mario Columbato
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Maud Winchester | ... |
Doris Robinson
(as Maude Winchester)
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| Marshall Bell | ... |
Ronsky
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Elizabeth Whitcraft | ... |
Rosanne
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Sandra Beall | ... |
Shirley
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Victoria Nekko | ... |
Claire
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| Crystal Field | ... |
Mrs. Columbato
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John Brumfield | ... |
Mr. Kohler
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Joe Lerer | ... |
Military Doctor
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Alice Truscott | ... |
Mother on Train
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Ed Taylor | ... |
Zimmy The Human Fish
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Irving Selbst | ... |
Fairground Announcer
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Steve Lippe | ... |
Junkyard Proprietor
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William Clark | ... |
Policeman on Beach
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James Pruett | ... |
Emergency Doctor
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| Priscilla Alden | ... |
Waiting Room Lady
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Howard Kinsley | ... |
Mr. Tate
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Robert Diamond | ... |
Maloney
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Bud Seese | ... |
Drunk in Jail
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Ray Pili | ... |
High School Band
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Lawrence J. McKenna | ... |
High School Band
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David Kuhn | ... |
High School Band
(as David W. Kuhn)
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Kevin P. Kuhn | ... |
High School Band
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Ronald Distefano | ... |
High School Band
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Larry Hochman | ... |
High School Band
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| Guy Jones | ... |
Hospital Orderly
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Erskine Morgan | ... |
Hospital Orderly
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Ramona Bajema | ... |
Girl on Train
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Maurice Frizzeli Jr. | ... |
Nuts and Bolts Patient
(as Maurice Frizzell Jr.)
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Donald Sims | ... |
Nuts and Bolts Patient
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Richard Mason | ... |
Injured Soldier
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| Charles A. Tamburro | ... |
Helicopter Pilot
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Richard Holley | ... |
Helicopter Pilot
(as Rick Holley)
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Harry Hauss | ... |
Helicopter Pilot
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Mark Simpson | ... |
Helicopter Soldier
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Clark Taylor | ... |
Helicopter Soldier
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Michael Shaner | ... |
Veteran
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Tim Davis | ... |
Veteran
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Bird No. 9 | ... |
Perta
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Alfonso | ... |
Self
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Hobbie | ... |
Cat
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Sneaky | ... |
Dog
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Willey | ... |
Dog
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Ace | ... |
Dog
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Prince | ... |
Dog
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Tiger | ... |
Dog
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Bo | ... |
Dog
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Budah | ... |
Dog
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Chiggar | ... |
Dog
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Tyko | ... |
Dog
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Kelly | ... |
Dog
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Red | ... |
Dog
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Fantasy | ... |
Dog
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Scooter | ... |
Dog
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Jonathan | ... |
Seagull
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Monty | ... |
Snake
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Horatio | ... |
Jungle Bird
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No's. 1 to 84 | ... |
Pigeons
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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David B. Benton Jr. | ... |
Boy Playing Basketball on the Street (uncredited)
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| E.J. Dougherty | ... |
Teen on Boardwalk (uncredited)
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Dennis Erectus | ... |
Veteran (uncredited)
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Anastasia Kozek | ... |
Girl at prom / Girl in classroom (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Alan Parker | ||
Written by
| William Wharton | ... | (based on the novel by) |
| Sandy Kroopf | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Jack Behr | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Ned Kopp | ... | associate producer |
| David Manson | ... | executive producer |
| Alan Marshall | ... | producer |
Music by
| Peter Gabriel | ||
Cinematography by
| Michael Seresin | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Gerry Hambling | ||
Editorial Department
| Daniel Candib | ... | assistant editor |
| Richard Candib | ... | assistant editor |
| Richard Hymns | ... | first assistant editor |
Casting By
| Juliet Taylor | ||
Production Design by
| Geoffrey Kirkland | ||
Art Direction by
| W. Stewart Campbell | ... | (as Stu Campbell) |
| Armin Ganz | ||
Set Decoration by
| George R. Nelson | ||
Costume Design by
| Kristi Zea | ||
Makeup Department
| John Caglione Jr. | ... | special makeup (as John Caglione) |
| Barbara Kelly | ... | makeup artist |
| Paul LeBlanc | ... | hairdresser (as Paul Le Blanc) |
Production Management
| Nancy Giebink | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Tom Davies | ... | second assistant director |
| Chris Soldo | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Rodney Armanino | ... | construction best boy |
| Robert Bovill | ... | draughtsman |
| Richard W. Clot | ... | construction foreman (as Rich Clot) |
| Roger Dietz | ... | set artist |
| Margery Z. Gabrielson | ... | painter (as Margery Gabrielson) |
| John Gorham | ... | graphics |
| Dale Haugo | ... | paint coordinator |
| John A. Kelly | ... | painter (as John Kelly) |
| Tom Sindicich | ... | construction coordinator |
| Michelle Souza | ... | assistant props |
| Anthony Tortorice | ... | assistant props |
| Don Watson | ... | lead man |
| Aaron Zajac | ... | assistant props |
| George Zimninsky | ... | property master |
| James Klotsas | ... | pictures vehicles (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Clive Barrett | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Danny Benson | ... | boom operator |
| Leonard Green | ... | assistant sound editor |
| David Grimsdale | ... | footsteps editor |
| Stephen Janisz | ... | assistant sound editor (as Steve Janisz) |
| Eddy Joseph | ... | sound editor |
| David Macmillan | ... | sound recordist |
| Marty McGee | ... | cable operator |
| Ray Merrin | ... | assistant sound mixer |
| Peter Pennell | ... | sound effects editor |
| Bill Rowe | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Jeremy Strachan | ... | assistant sound editor |
Special Effects by
| Cliff Wenger | ... | special effects |
| Eric Roberts | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Costas Charitou | ... | opticals: Camera Effects Ltd (uncredited) |
| David Smith | ... | optical cameraman (uncredited) |
Stunts
| M. James Arnett | ... | stunt coordinator (as James Arnett) |
| Queepers | ... | stunts: Perta |
| Mic Rodgers | ... | stunt player |
| Reid Rondell | ... | stunt player |
| Michael Runyard | ... | stunt player |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Maurice Beesley | ... | best boy |
| Don Biller | ... | assistant cameraman: Local 644 (as Donald Biller) |
| Peter Bloor | ... | chief electrician |
| David L. Butler | ... | aerial cameraman (as David Butler) |
| Ted Churchill | ... | steadicam operator |
| Joseph F. Coffey | ... | cameraman: Local 644 (as Joseph Coffey) |
| Harold Cole | ... | grip |
| Robert Corso | ... | grip |
| Jan d'Alquen | ... | cameraman: Local 659 |
| Alan R. Disler | ... | first assistant camera (as Alan Disler) |
| Brad Edmiston | ... | steadicam assistant (as Bradford Edmiston) |
| Gary Gill | ... | key grip |
| Jon Guterres | ... | camera grip |
| Charlie Hammerschmitt | ... | steadicam operator |
| Douglas C. Hart | ... | steadicam assistant (as Douglas Hart) |
| Kerry Hayes | ... | still photographer |
| Robert Hillman | ... | camera operator: Local 659 |
| Alec Hirschfeld | ... | camera operator: Local 644 |
| Marc Hirschfeld | ... | assistant cameraman: Local 644 |
| Doug Hunt | ... | assistant cameraman: Local 659 (as Douglas Hunt) |
| Adam Kimmel | ... | steadicam assistant |
| Mark Ludwig | ... | second assistant camera |
| Larry McConkey | ... | steadicam operator |
| Donna Morrison | ... | assistant camera: second unit |
| Terry Morrison | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Ralph Nelson | ... | still photographer (as Ralph Nelson Jr.) |
| Scott Rathner | ... | second assistant camera |
| Mike Roberts | ... | camera operator (as Michael Roberts) |
| Frank Strzalkowski | ... | best boy |
| James Wise | ... | electrician |
| J. David Jones | ... | pilot: picture helicopter (uncredited) |
| Michael Meier | ... | electrician (uncredited) / lighting technician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Lisa Clarkson | ... | extras casting |
| Ellen Lewis | ... | assistant casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Mark Burchard | ... | costumer |
| Judy Feil | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Molly Maginnis | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Mary Elizabeth Still | ... | costumer (as Mary E. Still) |
Location Management
| Steph Benseman | ... | location coordinator |
| Rory Enke | ... | location manager |
| Dick Gros | ... | location auditor |
| Michael Waxman | ... | location coordinator |
Music Department
| Larry Fast | ... | special musical contributor |
| John Hassell | ... | special musical contributor |
| Daniel Lanois | ... | music co-producer |
| Tony Levin | ... | special musical contributor |
| Jerry Marotta | ... | special musical contributor |
| David Rhodes | ... | special musical contributor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Alice Tompkins | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Ed Arter | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Michael Brum | ... | transportation captain (as Mike Brum) |
| Paul Cimino | ... | transportation captain |
| Andrew Mendez | ... | dispatcher (as Andy Mendez) |
| Lorenzo Yates | ... | driver (as Larry Yates) |
| Michael W. Broomer | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Christine Baer | ... | production assistant |
| Brett Barclay | ... | craft service |
| Thomas 'Doc' Boguski | ... | production assistant (as Tom Boguski) |
| Janice Clark | ... | assistant auditor |
| Kathryn Colbert | ... | production assistant |
| Josephine Cornell | ... | first aid (as Josie Cornell) |
| Michael DeMay | ... | production assistant (as Michael De May) |
| Gary Gero | ... | bird trainer |
| Monica Goldstein | ... | assistant: Mr. Marshall |
| Peter Govey | ... | titles |
| Tom Gray | ... | unit publicist |
| Robert Harman | ... | flying effects |
| Mark Jackson | ... | assistant animal trainer |
| Gwen Johnson | ... | assistant animal trainer |
| Ken Johnson | ... | ornithopter |
| George Krafft | ... | police coordinator |
| David Lamb | ... | unit coordinator |
| Donna Lindemann | ... | production secretary |
| Maureen Murphy | ... | production secretary |
| Larry Payne | ... | assistant animal trainer |
| Ron Phipps | ... | financial controller |
| Tracy Rosenthal-Newsom | ... | production assistant (as Tracy Rosenthal) |
| Gilly Ruben | ... | assistant: Mr. Parker |
| Sally Sherwin | ... | assistant: London office |
Production Companies
Distributors
- TriStar Pictures (1984) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1985) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Columbia Films (1985) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Fox Columbia TriStar Films (1985) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1985) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1985) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1985) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Filmverleih (1985) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- LK-TEL (1985) (Argentina) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1986) (West Germany) (VHS)
- CBS (1989) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (Australia) (video)
- M6 (1992) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
- LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-release)
- Nordisk Film (2000) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Mill Creek Entertainment (2012) (United States) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2012) (Australia) (DVD)
- Powerhouse Films (2019) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (Limited Edition)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)
- LK-TEL Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- The Drummers of Ekome (special musical contribution)
- Thorn EMI Elstree Studios (sound re-recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 using tools from their shared history prior to the war, he deals with his own post-war mental state. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A soaring experience unlike anything you've ever seen before. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $12,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $13,720, 25 Dec 1984 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Nicolas Cage had two teeth removed (without anesthetic) for this role. See more » |
| Goofs | Al calls Birdy "Al" (11:08) See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Johnny Dangerously/Micki + Maude/Birdy/A Passage to India (1984). See more » |
| Soundtracks | At Night 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 » |
| Quotes |
Birdy:
There's nothing in my life to keep me here anymore. I wish I could die and be born again as a bird. See more » |