Editorial Reviews and
DVD Information about
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Description
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
Amazon.com
Quiet patience and an observant eye turn a seemingly unpromising subject into a rich and fascinating movie. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill captures the life of Mark Bittner, a gentle homeless musician who's befriended a flock of wild parrots in a neighborhood of San Francisco. Following Bittner, the  | camera zooms in on individual parrots, revealing their individual personalities and the traits of their species. This leads to Bittner's own life, the network of friendships that support him, and the ways in which the parrots--a non-native species--interact with both the natural ecosystem and the city government; just about every topic opens up another until a flock of colorful birds represents a microcosm of nature and society. Filmmaker Judy Irving has created an exemplary documentary simply by paying attention to the details of the world around her subject. Everything you expect from a Hollywood blockbuster--romance, violence, humor, sorrow, strong personalities in conflict--is here in spades, except that the heroes and heroines have bright red and green feathers. Utterly rewarding. --Bret Fetzer Product Description:
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. Wild About Animals? See More! 
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Customer Reviews for
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Pieces of eight, pieces of eight!
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.The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
An Endearing Documentary
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 HOLLYWOODThe Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
What a great story!
There are great indi films out there and this is one of them.
Basically, its a story about an eccentric, and his study of a band of wild parrots living in San Francisco. The movie is suitable for children, and a great film to watch with family. My hat is off to the people who put this together, and the Parrot Man of Telegraph Hill.
Kudos!!!The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
A very special film for anyone who loves animals.
I first heard about this film on Ebert and Roeper. I am a resident of the San Francisco bay area, but I had never heard about these parrots. What a story! Mark, the flock's "guardian," has such a close relationship with these parrots and he is able to show us just how smart they are, and how each one of them is a special individual. In writing this review, it is difficult for me to articulate how the film affected me. I loved it. It doesn't matter whether you have an interest in birds or not. It is my opinion that most people will fall in love with these parrots and their stories. Some surprises at the end, too. Check out the special features on the DVD to see various updates on the flock, Mark's trip back to see Mingus, and an interesting follow-up segment from some neighborhood residents who comment about the flock and about seeing Connor.The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
NOT "for the birds"!
Wonderfully and carefully narrated, with a backdrop of San Francisco and its lovely vistas, this movie starts out being about parrots but, in so many ways, turns out to be about the needs and issues that these beautiful birds have in common with us. It's really about life with all its joys and sorrows -- one of the finest movies I've seen in many years. It starts out rather slowly, and the whole mood of the movie is very gentle, but it sneaks up on you and captures your heart.
I loaned my copy of this DVD to my brother and told him how wonderful it was. It took him over a year (and much prodding from me) to finally watch it, but when he finally did, he promptly called me to thank me and ask if he could keep it a little longer so his daughter could watch it, too.The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
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