Birdy: The Bespoke Edition Original Soundtrack Edition, (incl. Press Pack, Photos, Poster, Numbered Certificate & more)

Release date:
July 26, 2024
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When Peter Gabriel saw a rough cut of Birdy, he was compelled to record the soundtrack. "I knew I had to do it. It haunted me, " he said of the 1984 movie, based on William Wharton's 1978 novel of the same name and directed by Alan Parker (Pink Floyd: The Wall, The Commitments, Midnight Express). Connecting deeply with the tale of two friends, Birdy (Matthew Mondine) and Alfonso "Al" Columbato (Nicolas Cage), and the traumas experienced as soldiers in the Vietnam War, Gabriel created a moving soundtrack that reflected what he saw as the film's themes: "The struggle of the spirit... The interplay between the traumatised Birdy, the wounded victim, and his best friend." Featuring evocative cues such as Dressing The Wound and Birdy's Flight, the resulting 12-track soundtrack album was Hailed by Trouser Press as "a major challenge met admirably with style and character", with Uncut noting that it "would lay the groundwork for So". It still stands as a compelling work from an artist reaching new heights. Now, the very limited edition "Birdy: The Bespoke Edition" finally pairs the film and album together in a handsomely crafted collectors' box set featuring replica memorabilia, originals of which have only soared in value in recent years. Included in each box are the soundtrack on 180 gram half speed remastered vinyl, Numbered certificate, High Res Download card, Region 0 Blu Ray featuring a 2K restoration of the film Birdy, supervised and approved by director Alan Parker with original stereo audio. The Blu-ray also includes new and exclusive audio commentary with Parker and the BFI's Justin Johnson, 'The Abstraction of War' (2019, 25 mins): actor Matthew Modine fondly remembers the experience of working with the cast and crew of Birdy, 'Learning to Fly' (2019, 14 mins): screenwriters Jack Behr and Sandy Kroopf reflect on the challenges of adapting an 'unfilmable' novel, Peter Gabriel on Making the Music for 'Birdy' (2000, 7 mins): archival interview with the acclaimed composer, 'Bird Watching' (2019, 17 mins): a personal appreciation of the work of author William Wharton by filmmaker Keith Gordon, 'No Hard Feelings' (1976, 55 mins): Parker's early film, which follows a troubled young man in wartime London, the original theatrical trailer Image galleries: promotional and publicity material, and a selection of rare items from Matthew Modine's personal collection, and new and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The set also includes reproductions of an A4 UK press pack, 3 x B&W Press Photos, 1 x Japanese movie programme, 1 x A3 poster, 12 x B&W promotional photos, 6 x lobby cards, and a German Press Pack.