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| The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (Special Two-Disc Collector's Edition) | 
| List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $19.81
You Save: $20.14 (50%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $19.81
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 156 reviews)
Sales Rank: 22848
Category: DVD
Actors: Charles Mingus, Gary Scott Thompson, A. Pushkin, Claude Picasso, Helen Olive
Director: Judy Irving
Publisher: NEW VIDEO GROUP
Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
Manufacturer: NEW VIDEO GROUP
Label: NEW VIDEO GROUP
Format: Collector's Edition, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 300 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.4
MPN: 139821
UPC: 767685139820
EAN: 0767685139820
ASIN: B001DXS4GA
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
In a celebration of urban wildness comes this 2-disc collector's edition of one of the most heartwarming and beloved docs of all time, The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill. This wonderful film tells the true story of a local bohemian, Mark Bittner and his remarkable relationship with a flock of wild red and green parrots. Following the ups-and-downs of these wild birds within the green nooks of San Francsico our endearing guide befriends, feeds and names the members of the flock. Among them are Connor, the lonely blue-crowned conure; Picasso and Sophie, an affectionate couple who love to cuddle; Pushkin, a single father who raises three babies on his own; and Mingus, a cherry-headed conure who tries to join the flock, but, hobbled by a crippled leg, comes to live with Mark Bittner in his house instead.
Amazon.com
Quiet patience and an observant eye turn a seemingly unpromising subject into a rich and fascinating movie. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill captures the life of Mark Bittner, a gentle homeless musician who's befriended a flock of wild parrots in a neighborhood of San Francisco. Following Bittner, the camera zooms in on individual parrots, revealing their individual personalities and the traits of their species. This leads to Bittner's own life, the network of friendships that support him, and the ways in which the parrots--a non-native species--interact with both the natural ecosystem and the city government; just about every topic opens up another until a flock of colorful birds represents a microcosm of nature and society. Filmmaker Judy Irving has created an exemplary documentary simply by paying attention to the details of the world around her subject. Everything you expect from a Hollywood blockbuster--romance, violence, humor, sorrow, strong personalities in conflict--is here in spades, except that the heroes and heroines have bright red and green feathers. Utterly rewarding. --Bret Fetzer Product Description:
An "engrossing, delightful film" (The Washington Post), The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is the bonafide sleeper theatrical hit of the year. The film's endearing guide is Mark Bittner, an aging bohemian, but the supporting cast members, a rambunctious flock of urban parrots, are the true stars, and their surprisingly humanlike behavior makes for a wondrous and rare experience. The film follows the ups-and-downs of these wild birds within the green niches of San Francisco as Bittner befriends, feeds, and names the members of the flock. Along the way, we meet many unforgettable characters: among them Connor, the grouchy yet lovable outcast of the flock, crying for a mate but luckless in his pursuits, and "the lovers," Picasso and Sophie, inseparable until Sophie is forced into mourning when Picasso disappears. More than a mere birdwatcher, Bittner finds solace in his immersion with these strikingly beautiful creatures - but how will he cope when he's evicted from his sanctuary and forced to live away from the parrots? Packed with romance, comedy and a surprise ending that "makes you feel like you could fly out of the theater" (San Jose Mercury News), The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill shows just how wondrously similar the human and animal worlds really can be. Wild About Animals? See More! 
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| Customer Reviews: Read 151 more reviews...
 an incredibly tender experience January 6, 2009
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill is an outstanding documentary about a bohemian ex-musician who gradually befriends a flock of wild parrots in the Telegraph Hill section of San Francisco. During the film's eighty-three minutes you are never once bored; Judy Irving directs this loving story with sensitivity, realism and a lot of heart and admiration for Mark Bittner, the man who makes friends with the parrots.
We get Mark's story mostly through Mark himself--Judy Irving films him studying the birds and feeding them as he talks to the camera about how the birds gradually came to trust him. We also learn how they loved to be fed by him as he held out birdseed in his hands. I was especially touched by how Mark Bittner gives names to several of the most outstanding members of the bird flock and we learn about the birds as Mark also tells us what he discovered by watching them through binoculars and up-close, too.
Mark Bittner is especially caring and protective of the birds even if he doesn't admit to it directly; he takes sick birds inside his small home so that he can help them recuperate or be with them as they die from illness or old age. That's very moving.
Through Mark we meet Connor, the blue headed parrot who is the outcast of the flock because he has blue feathers on his head instead of red features; and we meet Sophie and Picasso, two love birds (no pun intended) who eventually become separated when Picasso mysteriously stops showing up at mealtimes. Sophie mourns the loss of Picasso and the close-up shots of them cuddling are adorable.
Eventually Mark must move out of his cottage when extensive renovations have to be made; and what happens to the flock when he is no longer there for him? Will they be helpless or will they be able to fend for themselves? Will other people in Mark's neighborhood take over the responsibilities of feeding the parrots? Watch the movie and find out! And yes, we DO get a surprise ending--a very happy one indeed!
The DVD comes with quite a few extras; and this impresses me. We get an "update" on the flock and we also get almost a half-hour of Mark's own home movies of the birds. There are deleted scenes and urban legends about the flock and its origins. There is a more serious short about the possible origin of the flock as well; and the update of a bird named Mingus at a safe haven in Arizona called The Oasis is very well done.
The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill is a documentary of an unusual but extremely touching, true story of how one man established a unique loving relationship with a rather wild flock of parrots. I even shed a few tears when Mark had to leave his home so they could renovate it! I highly recommend this film for animal lovers and people who enjoy documentaries will also love this film.
 Love is in the air in San Francisco December 16, 2008
A unique and moving true story about a man who fed and took care of the wild parrots flying free in San Francisco. Perfect gift for anyone who lives in San Francisco or visits.
 If you're a bird lover, you'll probably like it December 12, 2008
This isn't an actual artistic movie, more like a documentary, which might make it a little bit boring sometimes - but thinking about it as a story about us, not just the birds, makes it a lot more interesting. A real-life story with real experiences, it kind of put life itself into perspective.
Pieces of eight, pieces of eight! November 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There's more interesting wildlife in San Francisco than you might imagine.
I vividly remember going to this movie in San Francisco. About a week later walking about a block from the Embarcadero Cinema, I hear this tremendous squawking sound from the trees. I look up to see these parrots flying around a block away from where I saw them in the movie. A friend of mine saw the whole flock as he was driving down Columbus Avenue.
So, Wild Parrots is a great documentary where Mark Bittner has shown us the personalities of these different birds, and documented their trials, their dysfunctional love lives, and the dangerous lives they lead.
In this presentation of a great and compelling story, its possible to recognise our own humanity in the lives of these birds, and to feel a strong sense of wonder at how this movie came to be made. Its also a great love story for the main character, and I was truly impressed with the quality of this movie and have recommended it to numerous people.
If you have friends who love wildlife documentaries, they will definitely love this movie.
As in many movies about San Francisco, the city itself becomes a character in the movie.
I hope you find this review helpful. If you were to find this review helpful, please click yes.
An Endearing Documentary October 25, 2008
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Judy Irving's touching film about San Francisco bohemian Mark Bittner and his caring for a flock of wild parrots that reside in that city by the bay, is the most endearing documentary to come along in years. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will touch your heart.
Thanks to Bittner, these beautifully-photographed birds take on almost human personalities. Thus, when he is forced to leave them, we share his emotional devastation.
There are many extras on this DVD, including deleted scenes and a Flock Update, filmed a year after the documentary was completed.
Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
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