Mark Bittner,
Ivan Stormgart,
Maggie McCall,
Gary Scott Thompson,
Elizabeth Wright Shapiro
... see more 
Telegraph Hill is a neighborhood in one of the hillier sections of San Francisco that over the years has become home to a large flock of wild parrots. While no one is certain how they got there, the b... read more
DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008
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Stats: 331 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (331)
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January 19, 2009A beautiful documentary about a truly unique subject. However, I question the motivation, the "honesty" behind closing with the highly speculative killing of Connor by the hawk. As in all life writing, I also question the "truth," in this case, of "miraculously" returning to th... read more
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October 31, 2008fb1144932598A look at the flock of wild parrots that live in a neighborhood of San Fransisco and the remarkable individual (Mark Bittner) that studied and cared for them over a period of years. Mark was able to interact with the birds on a personal level, calling them by name, to nurse them ... read more
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October 5, 2009Sweet documentary about the quirky little personalities of some wild parrots in San Francisco, and the man who looks after them , though as he says near the end, they don't actually need looking after. Part bird documentary, part SF travelogue..
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March 21, 2009Fun, interesting, and educational documentary. Kids and adults will adore it alike.
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July 10, 2008One of the sweetest and most endearing docs I've ever seen. I really can't think of one negative thing to say about this incredibly charming film.
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March 25, 2007You'll be surprised by how good this film is when you watch it, I know I was.
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January 21, 2011This is a very sweet and fascinating about a man and the relationship he has with these wild urban parrots. This doc really humanizes this little birds and magnifies their personality quirks so much so that by the end of the film you're just sorry to see the credits roll.
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August 15, 2010An exquisite film.
In the early 1970s, pony-tailed protagonist Bittner drifts into San Fran's North Beach to live what's life's left in the Beat Generation, homeless for 15 years, sleeping on rooftops, voraciously reading philosophy at City Lights, but still the aimless dharma ... read more -
August 25, 2009A great story about finding humanity in unlikely creatures. Average filmmaking hurts the bottom line. Great ending!
Critic Reviews
July 15, 2005
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
July 15, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
A cornball charmer of a film with some beautiful birds and homespun wisdom. Full Review
May 6, 2005
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Charming, intelligent entertainment that should attract the same family audiences that flocked to Winged Migration in 2001. Full Review
May 5, 2005
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An absolute delight and nothing like the wimpy nature film its title suggests. It's a soaring -- figuratively and literally -- documentary with a surprising emotional power. Full Review
May 5, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
A loving, dopey documentary about the bird man of a place with a view of Alcatraz.
April 29, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
It contains ample joys and sorrows, and it will introduce you to some of the year's most memorable characters.
April 28, 2005
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The biggest problem with this documentary is its title, which makes it sound like a bird-watching club filmstrip. While it indeed concerns birds, it's about a lot more. Full Review
April 21, 2005
Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
What might have been a static portrait has become a true story, with tragic turns, joyful surprises and provocative glimpses into the meaning of life. Full Review
April 12, 2005
David Edelstein, Slate
In many ways, this is a movie for outcasts and outcasts at heart -- most of us, I'll wager. Full Review
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