Jonathan Livingston Seagull | |
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![]() Theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Hall Bartlett |
Screenplay by | Hall Bartlett Richard Bach (uncredited) |
Based on | Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach |
Produced by | Hall Bartlett |
Starring | James Franciscus Juliet Mills Hal Holbrook |
Cinematography | Jack Couffer |
Edited by | Frank P. Keller James Galloway |
Music by | Neil Diamond |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.5 million[1] |
Box office | $1.6 million[2] |
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a 1973 American drama film directed by Hall Bartlett, adapted from the 1970 novella of the same name by Richard Bach. The film tells the story of a young seabird who, after being cast out by his stern flock, goes on an odyssey to discover how to break the limits of his own flying speed. The film was produced by filming actual seagulls, then superimposing human dialogue over it. The film's voice actors included James Franciscus in the title role, and Philip Ahn as his mentor, Chiang.
Whereas the original novella was a commercial success, the film version was poorly received by critics, though it was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. The soundtrack album, written and recorded by Neil Diamond, was a critical and commercial success, earning Diamond a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award.