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Biographical drama

Bird (1988): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Bird (1988) movie poster

Bird is a 1988 biographical drama starring Diane Venora and Forest Whitaker. It runs 2 hours 41 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Sound. Critics gave it 78 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$2.2M
Oscar won
1
Metascore
78
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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary
Bird (1988) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 41m (161 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Music
Original language
English
Studio
Warner Bros. Pictures
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bird About?

The premise of Bird without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This biographical drama focuses on the pivotal 1946 meeting between Charlie "Bird" Parker, a legendary figure in bebop jazz, and his contemporary, Dizzy Gillespie. The film explores Parker's extraordinary musical talent and the struggles with addiction and personal demons that haunted him. Through a blend of past and present scenes, it vividly portrays the virtuosity and complexities of a musician whose innovative sound continues to influence generations.

Bird Themes & Keywords

· 38 tags
  • drug addict
  • jazz music
  • saxophonist
  • african american
  • interracial relationship
  • musician
  • attempted suicide
  • nickname
  • hospital
  • based on real person
  • united states of america
  • jazz club
+26 more
  • character nickname as title
  • dizzy gillespie character
  • charles bird parker character
  • psychiatric hospital
  • bleeding ulcer
  • brooklyn new york city
  • wedding reception
  • funeral
  • prologue
  • tragedy drama
  • drugs
  • jazz
  • 1940s
  • death of daughter
  • scene during end credits
  • flashback
  • drug addiction
  • adultery
  • 1950s
  • heroin
  • eiffel tower paris
  • heroin addict
  • electroconvulsive therapy
  • death of child
  • based on true story
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Bird Cast

Diane Venora leads the cast, with Forest Whitaker.

Ratings

Bird Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bird 78 on Metacritic.

Plot

Bird Plot Summary

What happens in Bird from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker (forest-whitaker) is celebrated by audiences at a small jazz club in New York City, where his soulful music and improvisations inspire admiration. Despite his musical talent and the applause he receives, his personal life is marred by turmoil and hardship. When he returns home, his wife, Diane Venora, portraying Chan Parker, greets him with a lack of warmth and affection. Their relationship is strained, filled with arguments that often escalate to the point of disturbing their sleep, especially when their shouting wakes their baby. Charlie expresses a desire to care for his child, but his wife prefers that he stay away, highlighting deep emotional rifts and the exhaustion both feel from their ongoing struggles.

Full summary

The whole story of Bird, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Bird Box Office

Bird grossed $2.2 million worldwide. $2.2 million came from the US and Canada and $10,589 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1988 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.2M

US & Canada
$2.2M
International
$10.6K
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Bird Awards & Nominations

Bird won 1 Oscar, including Sound. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1989, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win6 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Bird Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.

Theatrical Trailer
  • Featurette Bird Wins Best Sound: 1989 Oscars
  • Featurette Michael Schlesinger on BIRD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bird?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Charlie 'Bird' Parker in the 1988 film?
Details

Bird Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Птицата” and “Птица”.

Also known as
  • Птицата
  • Птица
  • Bird - Charlie Parker élete
  • Бърд
  • Paukštis
  • 버드
  • バード
  • 爵士乐手, ჩიტი
  • Kuş

Seen Bird?
More like this

Movies Like Bird

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker, A Bird of the Air and Charliebird.

FAQ

Bird FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Bird, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bird?

Bird runs 2 hours 41 minutes (161 minutes).

When was Bird released?

Bird was released on September 30, 1988.

Who is in the cast of Bird?

Bird stars Diane Venora and Forest Whitaker.

How much did Bird make at the box office?

Bird grossed $2.2 million worldwide ($2.2 million domestic, $10,589 international).

How is Bird rated?

Bird has 78 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

What awards did Bird win?

Bird won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Sound at the Oscars 1989.

Does Bird have a post-credit scene?

No. Bird has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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