Directed by:
Alan ParkerCinematography:
Michael SeresinComposer:
Peter GabrielCast:
Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young, Bruno Kirby, Marshall Bell, Priscilla Alden, Nancy Fish, Richard Mason (more)Plots(1)
Based on the acclaimed, ‘unfilmable’ novel by William Wharton, about a boy who dreams of flying, Alan Parker’s elliptical, ethereal film is just as vividly poetic as its source. Birdy is story of two unlikely boyhood friends, the confident and popular Al (Nicolas Cage) and Birdy (Matthew Modine), awkward, withdrawn, and obsessed with birds. The advent of the war in Vietnam shatters their youth, and they both return irrevocably changed - one physically traumatised, the other emotionally fractured. This unique and affecting film from director Alan Parker, features skilful, highly committed central performances from young stars Modine and Cage (who allegedly had teeth removed for his gruelling role), and a wonderful score by Peter Gabriel. Birdy is a great unsung gem of 1980s cinema. (Powerhouse Films)
(more)Cast
Matthew Modine
USA
Best movies:
Stranger Things (2016) (series)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Nicolas Cage
USA
Best movies:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Lord of War (2005)
The Rock (1996)
John Harkins
USA
Best movies:
Griffin and Phoenix: A Love Story (1976) (TV movie)
Being There (1979)
Birdy (1984)
Sandy Baron
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Straight Time (1978)
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Karen Young
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
Conviction (2010)
Bruno Kirby
USA
Best movies:
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Sleepers (1996)
Marshall Bell
USA
Best movies:
Total Recall (1990)
Stand by Me (1986)
Heaven & Earth (1993)
Priscilla Alden
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Nine Months (1995)
Criminally Insane (1975)
Nancy Fish
USA
Best movies:
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Shoot the Moon (1982)
Birdy (1984)
Richard Mason
UK
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Elizabeth Whitcraft
Best movies:
Goodfellas (1990)
Birdy (1984)
Angel Heart (1987)
Irving Selbst
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Loving (1970)
Born to Win (1971)
Maud Winchester
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Dracula (1992)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Crystal Field
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Radio Days (1987)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
George Buck
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
Angel Heart (1987)
Columbo (1971) (series)
Pat Ryan
USA
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Mannequin (1987)
Michael Shaner
Best movies:
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Birdy (1984)
Purgatory (1999) (TV movie)
Harry Hauss
Best movies:
Birdy (1984)
The Arrangement (1969)
Article 99 (1992)