Fly Away Home (Special Edition)

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.

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)]]

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.

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 .

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.