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List Price: $24.95 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 55207
Released: April 30, 1997 |
| Our Price: $11.99 |
| Used Price: $4.39 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
There are some filmmaking teams that invariably bring out the best in each other, and that's definitely the case with director Carroll Ballard and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. They previously collaborated on The Black Stallion and Never Cry Wolf, and Fly Away Home is their third family film that deserves to be called a classic. Inspired by Bill Lishman's autobiography, the movie tells the story of a 13-year-old girl (Anna Paquin) who goes to live with her estranged, eccentric father (Jeff Daniels) following the death of her mother. At first she's withdrawn and reclusive, but finds renewed happiness when she adopts an orphaned flock of baby geese and, later, teaches them to migrate using an ultralight. Sensitively directed and stunningly photographed, the movie has flying sequences that are nothing short of astonishing, and Daniels and Paquin (Oscar winner for The Piano) make a delightful father-daughter duo. (Ironically, the digital video disc is not available in widescreen format, but the image quality is brilliant.) --Jeff Shannon
Fly Away Home Reviews:
Gorgeous, simple family film has so many perfect elements it's hard to accept it's a true story 
2008-11-02 - Just like it's hard to remember that "Rudy" is based on a true story - what with the climactic scene being the sight of the ultimate long-shot being carried off the Notre Dame football field to resounding cheers, it's almost impossible to believe that "Fly Away Home" is based on a true story.
But it is.
The always-reliable Jeff Daniels plays Tom Alden, a Canadian inventor/tinkerer. His ex-wife is killed in car crash, but his precocious daughter Amy (Anna Paquin, also excellent) survives. Tom takes her in, and soon Amy becomes attached to a gaggle of orphaned Canadian Geese. They adopt her as her mother, and soon she can't walk anywhere without an adorable caravan of stumbling, bumbling goslings. Penguins may be the most adored birds, but these geese give them a run for their money.
Steadfastly refusing to clip their wings, the Aldens confront the fact that these are migratory birds. What to do, when Amy can't teach them to fly? The answer is simple - build two ultralights and guide them to a bucolic-yet-threatened bird sanctuary in North Carolina.
This is quite simply a wonderful family film where the heroes are straightforward, good-hearted people and the villains, if there are any, aren't all that bad either. Adapted from Bill Lishman's autobiography, the movie strikes true note after true note.
This shouldn't be a surprise - the director is Carroll Ballard, who directed the delightful "Black Stallion" and "Never Cry Wolf." Chief cameraman Caleb Deschanel creates a magical visual storyboard, replete with the most wonderful shots of flying birds this side of "Winged Migration."
Put "Fly Away Home" in the pantheon of Great Family Films - it will always have a home there.
Fly Away Home
2008-08-25 - Not only "Family Friendly" but a great classic to have in your collection.
Adults and children can enjoy this movie! A full five stars, indeed.
ASIN:B00005LK94 Fly Away Home (Special Edition)]]
Very Happy
2008-06-18 - Wow. I"m still trying to figure out how I received this purchase so fast, less than a week!! The movie was received in excellent condition and it plays great.
FAMILY FILM
2008-06-03 - MY HUSBAND AND I WATCHED THIS MOVIE AND IT HELD BOTH OF OUR INTEREST. IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN SOME
LEFT US WITH A GOOD FEELING .
Two Thumbs Up, Way Up!
2008-05-11 - We agreed with Siskel and Ebert: Two Thumbs Up ... Way Up! Sorry it took us so long to watch this truly inspirational family movie. This proves that there are stories out there that are suitable for viewing by the whole family and are not sappy! Loved every minute of this film.
