There are multiple movies across the world that are based on books that have bird motifs. Birds are seen a symbols of freedom and peace are often featured in movies and books as symbols for their characters. Here are some good movies with bird motifs:
The Scarlet Ibis
The Scarlet Ibis is a short movie based on a story by James Hurts. The story revolves around the main character and his brother, Doodle, as they grow up together. Since Doodle is disabled, and unable to participate in any normal brother duties, the main character decides Doodle should train to be more like a brother. The movie comes to the climax after the narrator’s family finds a dead scarlet ibis in their yard. The movie ends with the main character holding Doodle after a rain storm, leaving viewers with a sad, but nostalgic outlook on the story.
To Kill a Mockingbird
The classic movie To Kill a Mockingbird centers on a book written by Harper Lee. The story follows Scout and her older brother Jem as they navigate through the town of Maycomb, Alabama in their youth. The movie deals with racial tension in the 1930’s and the unfair treatment of people who are different. At one point the main character’s father states “to kill a mockingbird is a sin” because they are harmless creatures. The movie ends after giving the viewer a good point of view on how ignorance and fear cause serious and even fatal consequences.
The Nightingale
The Nightingale is a Chinese movie that follows the life of a young girl named Ren Xing. Ren Xing lives with a family who may love her but her parents are emotionally distant from one another and are too busy working to spend time with her. So, she is sent away to visit her paternal grandfather. They set off into the forest in the rural parts of China to free the bird her grandfather promised his late wife he would free. The movie ends with the nightingale, that Ren Xing adopted, who was unable to initially, singing. The bird, like her family, is made whole again.
Bird People
The movie Bird People centers around the lives of two adults who decided they are dissatisfied with the way their lives are. Main character Gary Newman is an American businessman who travels around the world but thinks his life is dull and meaningless. Maid and student Audrey has a dark, emotional past and is unhappy with the way her life is manifesting. Both characters decide to leave behind their lives and responsibilities in order to be free again like the sparrow who flies away in the movie.
The Falcon Maltese
The Falcon Maltese is a movie based on a book by Dashiell Hammett. The movie follows a private investigation agency as they begin an investigation into the disappearance of a woman's sister. The movie falls into multiple plots of murder and is overshadowed by this mysterious figure called The Falcon. The movie ends with the main character frustrated, deceived, and slightly heartbroken as he moves on from the chaos that entered his life from picking up the wrong client.
