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Ben Tibber, Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright, Hristo Shopov, Silvia De Santis ... see more see more... , Paco Reconti , Roberto Attias , Francesco De Santis , Paul Feig , Mat Patresi , Maria Bonnevie , Paraskeva Djukelova , Lucy Russell , Nikola Rudarov , Shaila Rubin , Alessandro Sperduti , Maxim Genchev , Valeri Yordanov , Adrian McCourt , Clem Tibber , Carnci Viola , Francesco De Vito , Enrico Vecchi , Viola Carinci , Marin Jivkov , Robert Syulev , Krassimir Kutzuparov , Elisabetta Bartolomei , Krassimir Radkov , Deyan Machev , Dobrin Dossev , Malin Krastev , Ivan Nestorov , Stefan Shteref , Panayot Tzanev , Nikolai Kipchev , Stephen Antonie Shteref

A young boy is sent on a remarkable odyssey as he flees a Communist prison camp in this historical drama, set in Eastern Europe in the early '50s. David (Ben Tibber) is a 12-year-old boy who was sente... read more read more...nced with his parents to a Bulgarian labor camp when they were found guilty of political subversion; he hasn't seen his folks in years, and looks to fellow inmate Johannes (Jim Caviezel) for protection and guidance. One day, David is able to escape, and as he flees, he is given a sealed envelope with strict instructions that he is to travel to Denmark, and he cannot open the letter until he gets there. David makes his way to Greece, stows away on an Italian ship, and is befriended by Maria (Viola Carinci), a girl he saves from a fire. Maria convinces her wealthy family to take David in, but when they become curious about his background, David realizes he's in danger and is soon on the run once again. In time, David makes friends with Sophie (Joan Plowright), a kind Swiss woman who gives him a home and is willing to help him complete his long journey. I Am David was adapted from the novel North to Freedom by Anne Holm, and represented a change of pace for director Paul Feig, best known for his work on such offbeat television comedies as Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

85% liked it

6,923 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

34 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Paul Feig

Release Date: December 3, 2004

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DVD Release Date: April 5, 2005

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Stats: 635 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (635)

  • imrealgod
    April 4, 2011
    imrealgod
    The story sounds interesting on paper and does succeed in grabbing your interest in the initial moments. But over-drama replaces action and adventure as the story unfolds. I've no problem with some emotional quotient, but the film goes completely overboard its genre and loses its... read more track. The melodrama gave the feeling of "been there, seen it all", and not in a pleasant manner. Having said that, I'd like to add that unlike "Julia's Eyes", it didn't make my head spin as its after-effects either.
  • hunterjt13
    January 28, 2011
    hunterjt13
    This film's two strengths are the harrowing nature of its subject matter and the rather well-constructed reveal at the end. After all, the concept that a young boy was able to escape a Communist concentration camp and journey as far as he did is rather remarkable.
    But whereas ... read more>127 Hours succeeded in at least reaching for a more expansive theme, I Am David can only retreat to shallow, aphoristic moralizing. Throughout the film, the writers give us benign supporting characters, whose intentions David constantly - but I guess understandably - misinterprets. The filmmakers scream at David throughout that people are basically good, and we're supposed to delight when he listens. Such themes may be inspiring on the Lifetime network, but I for one think the human condition is far more complex than this film gives it credit for.
    Additionally, Ben Tiller, in the eponymous role, plays one or two notes throughout the film, and even these belie any complexity in his character. I understand that he's young, but check out the level of acting Elijah Wood was able to rise to at a similar age in Radio Flyer or The War, two flawed movies, but Wood is excellent in them.
    Finally, there is a hint of anti-upper-class bias. Aside from the bully brother, what is the difference between the family and Italy and Joan Plowright's character? Both offer David assistance in seemingly generous, pure ways, but the upper-class family is ultimately rejected without a good explanation.
    Overall, the film's heart is on its sleeve, but it becomes bogged down in cliche melodrama.
  • DouglasWCollins
    May 10, 2008
    DouglasWCollins
    Rather slow paced movie but the ending makes it well worth the experience
  • gatorgirl13
    May 30, 2007
    gatorgirl13
    This is one of the most amazing films ever. It is inspiring, sad, beautiful, and just great.
  • fb1619601747
    February 2, 2012
    fb1619601747
    Not exactly terrible, but easily forgettable.
  • michaelcorleone
    November 19, 2006
    michaelcorleone
    The movie has good intentions but it ends up becoming corny, TV movie-caliber entertainment. Highly disappointing.
  • pammykn
    January 18, 2009
    pammykn
    Worthwhile movie about a young boy who has spent so many years of his young life in prison camps (WWII) that he has a very dark and skeptical view of people and the world. When he escapes, alone w/o money he meets various people along the way that aide him on this journey. He bgi... read morens to know kindness and learns to smile and eventually trust the motives of others as genuine.
  • ElisaLopez20
    September 22, 2008
    ElisaLopez20
    "I Am David" is not an especially brilliant film, nor does it execute its ideas with particular flair, and yet I cannot resist liking and being moved by it.

    With varying degrees of success, screenwriter-director Paul Feig examines religion, totalitarianism, forced labor, cu... read moreltural identity and simply learning how to trust people in a less than perfect world.

    It's a tall order. But in an age where most films about or aimed at children seem more intent on placing products than entertaining or edifying, Feig can be forgiven if the dialogue gets a little stilted or if some scenes are more plausible than others.

    Nonetheless, "I Am David" earns just about every teardrop it elicits. The journey isn't smooth, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile.
  • clooneyfan
    July 11, 2008
    clooneyfan
    This movie was based on Anne Holm's novel 'North to Freedom'. It tells of a 12-year-old boy who escapes a Communist concentration camp.
  • nsteinken
    June 16, 2008
    nsteinken
    Great story about post-World War II. It's great how they make a heart-warming story out of such a dismal situation.

View All I Am David Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum
December 8, 2004
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Clearly, huge tankers of disbelief must be suspended in a sea of goodwill to get into the spirit of the film. Full Review

Eric Harrison
December 3, 2004
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

The film is marred by too many coincidences, but there are a couple of twists at the end that tug at the heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
December 3, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

It's not lack of a strong story that keeps I Am David from taking off. Blame a straightforward approach that makes the movie feel too much like an after-school special.

John Monaghan
December 3, 2004
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

Feig's neorealist approach to the look of the film might work better if he didn't fill it with so many coincidences and melodramatic flourishes. Full Review

Roger Ebert
December 3, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I know, I know, I'm supposed to get sentimental about this heart-warming tale. But I couldn't believe a moment of it, and never identified with little David. Full Review

Colin Covert
December 2, 2004
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Manipulative though it is, it doesn't generate much real emotion. Full Review

Nancy Churnin
December 2, 2004
Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News

Leaves you with the lingering scent of truth. Full Review

Robert K. Elder
December 2, 2004
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune

Falls prey to the defect of all poor road movies: In gluing together unbelievable but convenient episodes with sugary sentimentality, it loses most of its credibility. Full Review

Robert Koehler
December 2, 2004
Robert Koehler, Variety

An unusually intelligent adventure film scaled for younger viewers, which never leaves adults behind. Full Review

Joe Mader
November 19, 2003
Joe Mader, Hollywood Reporter

Essentially a tearjerker, with little originality or insight.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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I Am David Trivia

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