Bird

(1988)

PLOT | AUDIO | TRIVIA | CAST | CREDITS | PURCHASE

This film is a tribute to the life and genius of saxophonist great Charlie Parker. Bird is a collage of passages from Parker's remarkable life, from his childhood in Kansas City, through his tumultuous interracial relationship with Chan Richardson, to his tragic death at the age of 34.

Listen as Clint Eastwood expresses his thoughts about this film as well as the legendary jazz musician.

• Eastwood, a lifelong jazz fan, had been fascinated by Charlie Parker and his music since seeing him play in Oakland in 1945.
• The project was originally destined for Richard Pryor at Columbia eight years earlier. Persuaded by Clint, Warner Bros. traded it for Revenge, which was made starring Kevin Costner.
• Clint approached Chan Richardson, Parker's common-law wife on whose memoirs the script was based, for input - she unlocked from a bank vault a collection of 'lost' recordings.
• The sax playing of Charlie Parker was removed from these poor quality recordings, digitally enhanced, and added to a backing of modern musicians.
• The film was shown in competition at Cannes, winning prizes for Forest Whitaker and the sound achievement.
• The film won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound, and Eastwood won a Golden Globe for Best Director.

Through an affiliation with Amazon.com, this film can be purchased via ClintEastwood.net. A great film for a great price!