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Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, Dana Delany, Terry Kinney, Holter Graham ... see more see more... , Jeremy Ratchford

Inspired by a true story, Fly Away Home is a family drama about Amy Alden (Anna Paquin), a 13-year-old girl who, after the tragic death of her mother, is sent to live with her father Thomas (Jeff Dani... read more read more...els), a sculptor. Amy misses her mother and has never enjoyed a very warm relationship with her father, so the first few months in her new home are very difficult for her. However, one day Amy finds a nest full of eggs, which was tossed away by land developers clearing a wooded area. Amy brings the eggs home and builds a makeshift incubator; a few weeks later, a flock of tiny Canadian Geese are hatched. While caring for her new pets makes Amy happier, a problem soon presents itself -- young geese "imprint" on the first creature they see after hatching and follow it, as if it's their mother. Without a mother to show them how to fly south for the winter, how will they learn normal migratory patterns? Thomas comes up with a solution to the problem: as a hobby, he flies Ultralights, lightweight aircraft that look like gliders with engines. If he puts Amy in an Ultralight and has her fly the migratory route to the South, perhaps the birds will follow her and learn the route their mother would normally teach them. Amy's adventures help her learn about independence as she tries to teach it to the birds, bringing her closer to her father. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

64% liked it

57,375 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

34 critics

PG, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Carroll Ballard

Release Date: September 13, 1996

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DVD Release Date: April 29, 1997

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Stats: 2,025 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,025)

  • ajv2688
    July 9, 2011
    ajv2688
    I hadn't realized that this was based on a true story, but either way it's a good family drama with ducks. Yes, ducks. Father and daughter have to work together to raise these cute little ducklings. The actors are good, the story is good, and the ending is cool.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    A touching children?s film that is beautifully shot and is hugely underrated.
  • stormyweather980
    September 11, 2009
    stormyweather980
    In "Fly Away Home," a young girl named Amy (Anna Paquin), has to go live with her dad (Jeff Daniels) in Canada after her mom dies. She doesn't remember her dad or where he lives that well, so she's real lonely. That is, until she raises some geese. Like you might expect, these ge... read moreese think Amy is their mom and they become VERY spoiled :-) . But that's not bad. The bad part is that winter is coming up and the geese have to somehow find out how to migrate to the South.
    If you like family movies at all, I recommend getting "Fly Away Home." It's a good movie that has a great story to go along with it. It's not only about becoming friends with animals, it's a story about growing up and learning to adapt to new people and a new place to live. "Fly Away Home" also has good cinematography and the acting isn't bad either. Get this high-flyer before it flies away! NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001. Good movie.
  • smith44
    October 29, 2008
    smith44
    A film that will steal your heart, with stunningly beautiful cinematography, and a great story Fly Away Home will up lift even the most cynical person
  • dreamfaeries
    August 6, 2008
    dreamfaeries
    Love it!
  • FiLmCrAzY
    October 8, 2007
    FiLmCrAzY
    aww it was sweet and soopy
  • jennifxu
    July 30, 2007
    jennifxu
    heartwarming and adorable!
  • ceWEBrity
    March 31, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    Sappy if anything, but honest most of the time.
  • Yinali
    October 11, 2007
    Yinali
    Love this movie.
  • trisarahtops22
    December 26, 2010
    trisarahtops22
    A very cute and touching story. Jeff Daniels is great (as always) as the dad. This is one of my childhood favorites!

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Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

From bumbling infants to majestic adults, a flock hasn't been this charismatic onscreen since Hitchcock went bird-watching.

Nell Minow
December 24, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Thrilling, touching adventure for animal lovers. Full Review

Rob Vaux
December 9, 2005
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

A lovely and unjustly forgotten family film.

Alex Sandell
January 24, 2004
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Somehow makes the story of orphaned geese entertaining.

James Rocchi
November 7, 2002
James Rocchi, Netflix

Story of a girl and her geese is complex entertainment for kids and grown-ups. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
February 14, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Beautifully directed by Carroll Ballard, the film is a celebration of the creative ways human beings and animals can serve, assist, and love one another. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
November 27, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Glen Seifert: If those geese start flying, I'll have to confiscate them.
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Fly Away Home Trivia

  • Which actress was in both 'Fly Away Home' and all X-men movies?  Answer »
  • Adventures of a teenage girl & her estranged father who learn about each other when they take in a flock of orphaned geese & find they have to teach them to fly?  Answer »
  • Anna Paquin plays a young girl that brought up a flock of geese in what movie?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Fly away home" what is the name of anna paquin crippled goose?  Answer »
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