Search - Jonathan Livingston Seagull on DVD

A very good movie, on several different layers

Robert Hess | Lake Forest Park, WA USA | 06/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is of course important to mention first off that this is not your standard movie. For a movie going audience conditioned by such spectaculars as Harry Potter, Titanic, Star Wars, and Spider-Man, it would be hard to imagine exactly how this would play out in the theaters today (as I recall, it didn't fair to well back in 1973 either).All of this doesn't mean this isn't a -good- movie. It contains a lot of sweeping ocean scenery, with of course lots of wonderful footage of seagulls. It also has the great score by Neil Diamond, and then woven throughout this is the original story by Richard Bach. And it is perhaps in that order that this movie exists. It is a relaxing, calming, as well as uplifting (on a very subtle scale) experience. To watch it with the same rapt attention that you might a modern "spectacular", you would no doubt be quickly disappointed and bored. Instead, it should be watched at a time when you just want to relax, no pressing chores calling your name, and no interruptions that you might need to deal with. You might think of this as the closest thing to a full-body massage for the mind, encapsulated in a hour and a half movie.One caveat however, is that I would recommend that you read the book first, because there are times when exactly what is going on with the seagulls is a little confusing, and difficult to figure out from what happens on-screen.While I doubt it will ever happen, I would love for this to be released on DVD, it would greatly improve the quality of the video and soundtrack (both copies I've seen of this movie have had an mildly distracting "tracking" problem which results in pops and crackles in the audio), and it would perhaps also allow supplimentary audio tracks with discussions from Richard Bach, Neil Diamond, and perhaps others associated with this film (Hall Barlett, the director died in 1993)."

Still a star album after 28 years.

ch0pper | SOUTHAMPTON, Hampshire United Kingdom | 10/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My brother introduced me to this record just after it was first released some 28 years ago. I can remember the occasion as if it were yesterday. I was sleeping late on a Saturday morning and I was awakened by music echoing through the house. Music that was haunting, expressive, flowing. Words that were insightful, thoughtful, introspective and, most of all, moving.Eventually, I got up and went downstairs to find out what I had been listening to, and I discovered that it was Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Neil Diamond. Well, I was captivated; truly, deeply captivated. I'd rarely heard such rich, wonderfully expressive modern music before. Yes, I knew of Neil Diamond, but this record made me see and hear him in a new light.I bought the album and wore it out after many playings over many years. I've seen the film so many times I've lost count, but one thing still gives me shivers as I watch it is the combination of absolutely superb photography matched to the superlative soundtrack. I cannot understand how, in Britain at least, this film got relegated to art-house status and didn't get the wide release it dererves.Even today (now I have the CD) I find that in troubled times I can darken my lounge, lie back in my favourite chair, listen to this music and feel my worries subside. It is so relaxing."

Johnathan Livingston Seagull

Penny | Austin, Texas | 12/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is so uplifting! The music and photography are mesmerizing, as well as the messages of striving to reach past your perceived limits to totally new horizons. When I'm troubled I watch the movie or listen to the cd and remember that it's the striving in life that makes us who we are, not our present problems."

A lesson for us all :-)

Eric Pregosin | New Carrollton, Maryland United States | 10/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The wise words of Jonathan Livingston Seagull live today as well. "You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way." This movie is something the whole family can enjoy. And if you haven't already buy the soundtrack on CD and Richard Bach's book. It's a pleasant dream when you need one. That is one bedtime story I want to wake up to."