Free Willy (1993)

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writers (WGA):

Keith Walker (story)
Keith Walker (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 July 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

A 12 year old street kid. A 3 ton orca whale. A friendship you could never imagine. An adventure you'll never forget.

Plot:

When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

Plot Keywords:

Foster Family | Whale Catcher | Greed | Family Relationship | Pacific Northwest

Awards:

7 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Keiko	...	Willy
Jason James Richter	...	Jesse
Lori Petty	...	Rae Lindley
Jayne Atkinson	...	Annie Greenwood
August Schellenberg	...	Randolph Johnson
Michael Madsen	...	Glen Greenwood
Michael Ironside	...	Dial
Richard Riehle	...	Wade
Mykelti Williamson	...	Dwight Mercer
Michael Bacall	...	Perry
Danielle Harris	...	Gwenie
Isaiah Malone	...	Vector
Betsy Toll	...	Passerby #1
Rob Sample	...	Passerby #2
Merrilyn Jones	...	Passerby #3

Also Known As:

Sauvez Willy (France) (dubbed version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild language.

Runtime:

112 min

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Iceland:L | Australia:G | Canada:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Oregon, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

After the release of the film, millions of moviegoers called the number showed at the end of the movie where 20 million dollars was donated for the Save the Whales Foundation.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Randolph is using the crane to lift Willy out of the tank you can see the reflection of a man in the crane window.

Quotes:

Jesse: I love you, Willy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Nunsense (1993) (TV)

Soundtrack:

How Can You Leave Me Now

Great story. Excellent movie.

I just love it when there is a story that has two negative forces coming together, and somehow, magically healing each other. Jesse, roughened from his abandonment and time on the streets, and Willy, kidnapped and separated from his family are the duo. It is a great story, and a wonderful film.

It is so rare, that of all the movies and books and media that I have consumed in my 25 years of life, I can only think of one other story that has this same type of magical quality (The Secret Garden). This movie is also great for environmental reasons, and as an avid watcher of Captain Planet, I fell in love with this movie when I was a child.

As an adult, I have an annual pass to Seaworld, and I love killer whales. They are so intelligent, and extremely beautiful. Willy is no exception. Free Willy!