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The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
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List Price: $26.95
Our Price: $16.99
Your Save: $ 9.96 ( 37% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: DOCURAMA
Starring: Mark Bittner
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780767085977
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 0767085973
Label: DOCURAMA
Manufacturer: DOCURAMA
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: DOCURAMA
Region Code: 0
Release Date: 2005-12-26
Running Time: 83
Studio: DOCURAMA
Theatrical Release Date: 2004
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Editorial Reviews:
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An "engrossing, delightful film" (The Washington Post), THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL is the bonafide sleeper theatrical hit of the year. The film's endearing guide is Mark Bittner, an aging bohemian, but the supporting cast members, a rambunctious flock of urban parrots, are the true stars, and their surprisingly humanlike behavior makes for a wondrous and rare experience. The film follows the ups-and-downs of these wild birds within the green niches of San Francisco as Bittner befriends, feeds, and names the members of the flock. Along the way, we meet many unforgettable characters: among them Connor, the grouchy yet lovable outcast of the flock, crying for a mate but luckless in his pursuits, and "the lovers," Picasso and Sophie, inseparable until Sophie is forced into mourning when Picasso disappears. More than a mere birdwatcher, Bittner finds solace in his immersion with these strikingly beautiful creatures - but how will he cope when he's evicted from his sanctuary and forced to live away from the parrots? Packed with romance, comedy and a surprise ending that "makes you feel like you could fly out of the theater" (San Jose Mercury News), THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL shows just how wondrously similar the human and animal worlds really can be. DVD Features: Origins of the Flock; Urban Legends; Update: Mingus at the Oasis; Parrots Music Video; Mark Bittner's Home Movies; Flock Updates; Deleted Scenes; Theatrical Trailer; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround; California Quail Bonus Short; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: an incredibly tender experience
Comment: The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill is an outstanding documentary about a bohemian ex-musician who gradually befriends a flock of wild parrots in the Telegraph Hill section of San Francisco. During the film's eighty-three minutes you are never once bored; Judy Irving directs this loving story with sensitivity, realism and a lot of heart and admiration for Mark Bittner, the man who makes friends with the parrots.
We get Mark's story mostly through Mark himself--Judy Irving films him studying the birds and feeding them as he talks to the camera about how the birds gradually came to trust him. We also learn how they loved to be fed by him as he held out birdseed in his hands. I was especially touched by how Mark Bittner gives names to several of the most outstanding members of the bird flock and we learn about the birds as Mark also tells us what he discovered by watching them through binoculars and up-close, too.
Mark Bittner is especially caring and protective of the birds even if he doesn't admit to it directly; he takes sick birds inside his small home so that he can help them recuperate or be with them as they die from illness or old age. That's very moving.
Through Mark we meet Connor, the blue headed parrot who is the outcast of the flock because he has blue feathers on his head instead of red features; and we meet Sophie and Picasso, two love birds (no pun intended) who eventually become separated when Picasso mysteriously stops showing up at mealtimes. Sophie mourns the loss of Picasso and the close-up shots of them cuddling are adorable.
Eventually Mark must move out of his cottage when extensive renovations have to be made; and what happens to the flock when he is no longer there for him? Will they be helpless or will they be able to fend for themselves? Will other people in Mark's neighborhood take over the responsibilities of feeding the parrots? Watch the movie and find out! And yes, we DO get a surprise ending--a very happy one indeed!
The DVD comes with quite a few extras; and this impresses me. We get an "update" on the flock and we also get almost a half-hour of Mark's own home movies of the birds. There are deleted scenes and urban legends about the flock and its origins. There is a more serious short about the possible origin of the flock as well; and the update of a bird named Mingus at a safe haven in Arizona called The Oasis is very well done.
The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill is a documentary of an unusual but extremely touching, true story of how one man established a unique loving relationship with a rather wild flock of parrots. I even shed a few tears when Mark had to leave his home so they could renovate it! I highly recommend this film for animal lovers and people who enjoy documentaries will also love this film.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Love is in the air in San Francisco
Comment: A unique and moving true story about a man who fed and took care of the wild parrots flying free in San Francisco. Perfect gift for anyone who lives in San Francisco or visits.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you're a bird lover, you'll probably like it
Comment: This isn't an actual artistic movie, more like a documentary, which might make it a little bit boring sometimes - but thinking about it as a story about us, not just the birds, makes it a lot more interesting. A real-life story with real experiences, it kind of put life itself into perspective.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Pieces of eight, pieces of eight!
Comment: There's more interesting wildlife in San Francisco than you might imagine.
I vividly remember going to this movie in San Francisco. About a week later walking about a block from the Embarcadero Cinema, I hear this tremendous squawking sound from the trees. I look up to see these parrots flying around a block away from where I saw them in the movie. A friend of mine saw the whole flock as he was driving down Columbus Avenue.
So, Wild Parrots is a great documentary where Mark Bittner has shown us the personalities of these different birds, and documented their trials, their dysfunctional love lives, and the dangerous lives they lead.
In this presentation of a great and compelling story, its possible to recognise our own humanity in the lives of these birds, and to feel a strong sense of wonder at how this movie came to be made. Its also a great love story for the main character, and I was truly impressed with the quality of this movie and have recommended it to numerous people.
If you have friends who love wildlife documentaries, they will definitely love this movie.
As in many movies about San Francisco, the city itself becomes a character in the movie.
I hope you find this review helpful. If you were to find this review helpful, please click yes.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An Endearing Documentary
Comment: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
Judy Irving's touching film about San Francisco bohemian Mark Bittner and his caring for a flock of wild parrots that reside in that city by the bay, is the most endearing documentary to come along in years. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will touch your heart.
Thanks to Bittner, these beautifully-photographed birds take on almost human personalities. Thus, when he is forced to leave them, we share his emotional devastation.
There are many extras on this DVD, including deleted scenes and a Flock Update, filmed a year after the documentary was completed.
© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
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