Fly Away Home [WS] [Special Edition]

Director: Carroll Ballard Carroll Ballard

Overview

"While production companies quickly realized that consumers prefer that DVDs come in the widescreen format, it remains common for them to release family films only in the pan and scan format. Perhaps they feel that children don't deserve the same kind of high quality that adults expect. Perhaps they don't realize that adults are also family members who enjoy such films as Witches or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The first DVD release of the wonderful Fly Away Home may have been botched but thankfully Columbia has realized their mistake and issued this exceptional special edition DVD of the Carroll Ballard film. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel's (whose credits include The Natural and The Black Stallion) camera work here is spectacular and is captured on this flawless widescreen anamorphic transfer. Ballard and Deschanel have a long working relationship and are justly famous for making movies in the great outdoors. Their audio commentary is compelling and entertaining and should be of interest to both movie and nature buffs. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Stereo audio track is crystalline and showcases Mark Isham's impressive score. Isham also has an audio commentary and the movie features his lovely collaboration with Mary Chapin Carpenter. Since convoluted legal and financial reasons kept a soundtrack album from being issued, this DVD is a real boon for fans. The fictional movie is also based on the real exploits of Bill Lishman and the DVD features documentaries on this very cool Canadian and also other featurettes on the making of the movie Lishman inspired. Fly Away Home truly is a family film in the best sense of the word and this is a DVD that will be enjoyed by any member of a family, regardless of age."

Product Details

Release Date:	08/07/2001
UPC:	0043396060463
Original Release:	1996
Rating:	PG
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	13,806

Special Features

Digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video; Widescreen presentation; Audio: English 5.1 [Dolby Digital] and 2-channel [Dolby Surround], French, Spanish, Portuguese; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai; Director and cinematographer's commentary; Isolated 5.1 music score with composer Mark Isham's commentary; "HBO Special: Leading the Flock"; Exclusive featurette: "Operation Migration: Birds of a Feather"; Documentary: "The Ultra Geese"; Theatrical trailers; Filmographies; Animated menus; Scene selections; Production notes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jeff Daniels	Thomas Alden
Anna Paquin	Amy Alden
Dana Delany	Susan Barnes
Terry Kinney	David Alden
Holter Graham	Barry Strickland
Jeremy Ratchford	Glen Seifert
Deborah Verginella	Amy's Mother
Michael J. Reynolds	General
David Hemblen	Dr. Killian
Ken James	Developer
Nora Ballard	Jackie,Actor
Sarena Paton	Laura,Actor
Carmen Lishman	Older Girl,Actor
Christi Hill	Older Girl
Judith Orban	Teacher
Jeff Braunstein	Chairman
John Friesen	Smalltown Businessman
Chris Benson	Farmer
Kevin Jubinville	Military Police
Philip Akin	Air Force Reporter
Gladys O'Connor	Farm Woman
Geoff McBride	Clerk
Dick Callahan	Customs Inspector
Cheryl MacInnis	Reporter
Mark Wilson	Reporter
J. Craig Sandy	Reporter
Wendy Walsh	Televison Anchor,TV Anchor
Larry McCormick	Television Anchor
Richard Saxton	Television Anchor
Linden Chiles	Television Anchor
Timm Zemanek	Husband
Diane Douglass	Wife
Azura Bates	Bratty Sister,Bratty Brother
Michael Vollans	Bratty Brother
Michael Copeman	Gun Shop Owner
John E. Nelles	Tower Supervisor,Tower Supervisor
Jeffrey W. Poulis	Tower Operator,Tower Operator
Christopher Lorenz	Tower Operator
Melissa Tanti	Dune Woman
Mark Isham	Composer,Actor
Carol Baum	Actor
Dennis Berardi	Actor
John M. Eckert	Actor
Robert Rodat	Actor
Kim B. Christensen	Actor
Sandy Gallin	Actor
Vince McKewin	Actor
Malcolm Fife	Actor

Technical Credits

Robert Rodat

Vince McKewin

Carroll Ballard	Director
Robert Rodat	Screenwriter
Vince McKewin	Screenwriter
Carol Baum	Producer
Deirdre Bowen	Casting
Reuben Cannon	Casting
Sandy Gallin	Executive Producer
Martin Malivoire	Special Effects
John Mariella	Special Effects
John Veitch	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Fly Away Home is a rousing family tale at which Mom and Dad should find themselves as enthralled as the kids. Without the sugar-coating that plagues so many youth-oriented films, it addresses such serious topics as environmentalism, death, divorce, and reconciliation. As father and daughter, Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin turn in strong performances; the supporting geese are no less important. The adept director Carroll Ballard and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel previously worked together on The Black Stallion, and their subtle, delicate work is similarly impressive here. A credit to all involved, Fly Away Home is the rare family film that inspires as it entertains.