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Free Willy (1993)

Director: Simon Wincer

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Sweeping strings accompany the opening sequence of balletic whales cavorting in brilliant blue sea, changing abruptly to a cacophony as the bad guys with nets chug up in their tugs. Willy is trapped and his family swims mournfully away. Cut to an angelic street-kid, Jesse (Richter), caught graffiti-ing Willy's tank; the only way to escape 'baby jail' he discovers is to go to well-meaning but stiffo foster parents and clean up the tank under the tutelage of Haida Indian whale-trainer Randolph (Schellenberg). Willy, meanwhile, has turned ornery. Soon, however, Jesse's mouth organ is echoing Willy's whalesong and the message is spelt out: boy and whale get on because they're both looking for a family. This well-acted film has a straight-faced tone which is hard to resist.

Author: SFe 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Zarah said...
    Posted on Feb 17 2008 19:20 I really enjoyed Free Whilly. Jason James Ritcher was wow in his role as the mixed up boy. And Keiko what can I say. All Mammals and Animals etc should be free and not kept in Captivity. The sound track sung by Mr Jackson what beutifully done.
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Cast & crew

Director: Simon Wincer

Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Jennie Lew Tugend

Cast: Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside full cast

Genre(s): Children's

Duration: 112 mins

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