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The Blue Bird

Play trailer Poster for The Blue Bird G 1976 1h 39m Fantasy Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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0% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A naughty boy and girl search a fantasy world of characters (Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Ava Gardner) for the bluebird of happiness.

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) For children of no ages. May 6, 2023 Full Review Pat Padua Spectrum Culture The camp aficionado and camp-curious may be attracted to this strange bird like moths to a lava lamp, but take it from us, it's one of the most painful cinematic experiences on Earth. Nov 1, 2021 Full Review Addison DeWitt Los Angeles Free Press This bird is a turkey. Nov 14, 2019 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) It seems to be a contest over who can deliver the worst performance (I think Fonda wins, but it's a close call) as they all prance around bad sets in even worse costumes. Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 23, 2005 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat Gooey and stupid. Rated: 0/5 Mar 9, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (13) audience reviews
Audience Member Okay version of the story but best for young children or fans of the stars. Some of the costumes are amazing but for something that apparently cost many millions most of the sets are terribly shoddy. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review walter m For the crime of going into forbidden territory on the other side of the river, their mother(Elizabeth Taylor) sends Tyltyl(Todd Lookinland) and Mytyl(Patsy Kensit) to bed without dinner, but soon has second thoughts. By that time, her children are already dreaming of a lavish party at a nearby castle. When they return, they are greeted by a witch(Elizabeth Taylor) who gives Tyltyl a magic hat which sheds light on the situation, revealing the souls of many household elements who help the children on a quest to find the blue bird. Their first stop is to visit their late grandparents(Will Geer & Mona Washbourne). Once you get past some of the outre elements of "The Blue Bird" like its occasionally imaginative production design and a once in a lifetime cast that also includes Cicely Tyson and an out-of-sorts Jane Fonda(at least Ava Gardner knows how to make an entrance), what is left is a sweet childhood fable that has the neat moral of treasuring what is truly important in life. At the same time, it confirms what everybody has always suspected about cats. That holds true even with the movie's half-hearted attempt at being a musical. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A Magnificent interpretation full of love by Elizabeth Taylor Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Lumbering, garish musical version of the famous story; the costumes are dreadful. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review bill t All three Blue Bird movies I've seen do have their positives and negatives. The silent version is still the best though, I think this ranks 2nd, and the Shirley Temple one ranks third. This one has lots of Star Power, With Elizabeth Taylor as Light, Jane Fonda as Night, Cicely Tyson as the cat, and the two kids, Tood Lookinland (Mike's Brother) and Patty Kensit (Mrs. Liam Gallagher). All three of the movies have their owir own charms and oddities.. I did like the "Desire" hall in this one more, but the ballet has got to go. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Where is the bird that is blue? A brother and sister live a modest lifestyle in the outskirts of town away from the more fortunate. One night they observe fireworks and follow the lights to a home with a plethora of food and resources. They quickly become envious of the family and return home before being noticed. Upon returning home the objects and resources of their house turn into people and lead them on an adventure. "They eat whatever they want." "Everyday?" "So I'm told." George Cukor, director of My Fair Lady, Let's Make Love, Rich and Famous, The Marrying Kind, A Double Life, and Keeper of the Flame, delivers The Blue Bird. This film contains a standard family plot and overall good premise for children. The acting is solid and the settings and costumes are stunning. The cast includes Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Ava Gardner, Cicely Tyson, Harry Andrews, and Robert Morley. "That's just like the slaps you gave me when you were alive." The Blue Bird was a film my wife DVR'd when she noticed it contained such an impressive cast. Well, this film is only average and does not introduce anything new to the genre; however, it was entertaining to watch the film progress and to see what ultimately happens. I recommend seeing this as a family but I don't recommend going too out of your way to see it. "I am the light that makes men see." Grade: C Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Blue Bird

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis A naughty boy and girl search a fantasy world of characters (Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, Ava Gardner) for the bluebird of happiness.
Director
George Cukor
Screenwriter
Hugh Whitemore, Alfred Hayes
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
G
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 39m