The film was released on October 23, 1973, and is based on the book with the same title, an allegorical fable in novella form written by American author Richard Bach and illustrated with black-and-white photographs shot by Russell Munson. It is about a seagull who is trying to learn about flying, personal reflection, freedom, and self-realization. It was first published in book form in 1970 with little advertising or expectations; by the end of 1972, over a million copies were in print, the book having reached the number-one spot on bestseller lists mostly through word of mouth recommendations.
In 2014, the book was reissued as Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition, which added a 17-page fourth part to the story.
Read more about the book: Wikipedia
The film
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a 1973 American drama film directed by Hall Bartlett, adapted from the 1970 novella of the same name by Richard Bach. The film tells the story of a young seabird who, after being cast out by his stern flock, goes on an odyssey to discover how to break the limits of his own flying speed. The film was produced by filming actual seagulls, then superimposing human dialogue over it. The film’s voice actors included James Franciscus in the title role, and Philip Ahn as his mentor, Chiang.
Whereas the original novella was a commercial success, the film version was poorly received by critics, though it was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. The soundtrack album, written and recorded by Neil Diamond, was a critical and commercial success, earning Diamond a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Read more about the film: Wikipedia
The film is mentioned at IMDb, and the full film can be bought or rented via YouTube
The soundtrack
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a soundtrack album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, released in 1973 by Columbia Records. Produced by Tom Catalano, it is the soundtrack to the 1973 film of the same name. The album marked Diamond’s return to Columbia and grossed more than the film itself. It won the 1974 Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.[3]
Diamond often included a Jonathan Livingston Seagull suite in his live performances, as he did in his 1976 Love at the Greek concert—comprising “Be”, “Dear Father”, “Lonely Looking Sky”, “Sanctus”, “Skybird” and “Be (Encore)”—and his show in Las Vegas that same year.[4][better source needed] A studio version of the suite—comprising “Prologue”, “Lonely Looking Sky”, “Skybird”, “Dear Father (Rebuked)” and “Be”—was presented on Diamond’s 1996 box set In My Lifetime.[5]
Read more about the soundtrack: Wikipedia
Playlist with soundtracks:
