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I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story Released May 8, 2015 1h 30m Documentary Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 75 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Caroll Spinney is the 80-year-old who has been creating the Muppet characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since the first season of "Sesame Street."
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I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

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Critics Consensus

Every bit as good-natured as longtime fans might hope, I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story offers heartwarming behind-the-scenes perspective on a cultural icon.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post There's little sour to temper the sweetness of this portrait. Rated: 2/4 Jun 25, 2015 Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Though its gooey, sentimental soundtrack is a misstep - this story is quite sweet enough already - "I Am Big Bird" is mesmerizing for anyone (and that's a lot of us) who grew up with "Sesame Street." Rated: 3/4 Jun 18, 2015 Full Review Dave McGinn Globe and Mail Very much a heartwarming tribute, bordering on treacly. Rated: 2.5/4 May 29, 2015 Full Review Jordan Brooks Vague Visages From his humble beginnings, to the years he spent in awe of the great Jim Henson, every noteworthy aspect of the performer’s life is meticulously documented to paint the portrait of a great man with an even greater legacy. Aug 3, 2023 Full Review Cory Woodroof PopMatters I Am Big Bird is a fitting ode to Spinneys career, one that might be biased towards its subject and has every right to be. Some people are just good, and some documentaries are just that as well. Not many knocks can be made against either. Rated: 8/10 Feb 10, 2022 Full Review Ben Homewood NME (New Musical Express) The heartache that drives this story is captured best when Spinney's eyes moisten as he recalls an on-set moment when "I was crying inside the costume. Inside I was dying." Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 2, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (64) audience reviews
StephenPaul C LOL, the funniest 1.5 hours with real archival footage of Carol Spinney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/15/23 Full Review dave d Carol Spinney was the man behind Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch and when the movie focuses on him it's wonderful. The documentarians try to also summarize a lot of broader muppet topics. If you're into this kind of thing, you'll like it! Final Score: 8/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Really lovely. It's honest, without being brutal or melodramatic; heartfelt, without being overly sentimental; informative, without being didactic or newsy. Caroll is portrayed very well as an empathetic, artistic and family-centred man who is much loved by those around him... and by millions around the world. The insights into his relationship with Jim Henson are interesting, as well Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member This documentary gets you closer to Big Bird than you ever thought possible! The level of creativity behind Spinney's characters, is enough to make any adult a fan of Big Bird, if weren't already. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The story of the man behind what is probably the most iconic muppet character on the classic children's television series "Sesame Street" is very entertaining and gives the audience a very good an in depth look into the late Carrol Sipnney. Being somebody that has an interest in getting a look behind the scenes, "I am Big Bird" met my expectations quite well. Anybody who grew up watching "Sesame Street" should give this documentary a look. I think they will enjoy it very much. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Wonderful documentary. Caroll was a very special person and I wish I could have met him. I'm thankful for this insight into his life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

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Movie Info

Synopsis Caroll Spinney is the 80-year-old who has been creating the Muppet characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since the first season of "Sesame Street."
Director
Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker
Producer
Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker
Screenwriter
Dave LaMattina
Distributor
Tribeca Film
Production Co
Copper Pot Pictures
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 8, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.0K
Runtime
1h 30m
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