I Am David (2003)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Paul Feig

Writers (WGA):

Anne Holm (novel)
Paul Feig (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 November 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Believe in the power to change your destiny

Plot:

I Am David is adapted from Anne Holm's internationally acclaimed novel North to Freedom. It is the story of a 12-year-old boy...

Plot Keywords:

Bread | Compass | Denmark | Escape | Sealed Envelope

Awards:

8 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ben Tibber	...	David
James Caviezel	...	Johannes (as Jim Caviezel)
Joan Plowright	...	Sophie
Hristo Shopov	...	The Man
Silvia De Santis	...	Elsa
Paco Reconti	...	Giovanni
Roberto Attias	...	Baker
Francesco De Vito	...	Roberto
Paul Feig	...	American Man
Lucy Russell	...	American Woman
Maria Bonnevie	...	David's Mother
Viola Carinci	...	Maria
Marin Jivkov	...	Cecha
Robert Syulev	...	Angelo
Alessandro Sperduti	...	Carlo

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and violent content.

Runtime:

90 min | Turkey:84 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Ontario) | Iceland:LH | Malaysia:U | USA:PG (certificate #39701) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-3 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company:

Walden Media

Trivia:

"Young David" is played by Clem Tibber, the real-life younger brother of Ben Tibber who played David through the rest of the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the window of the Italian bookstore, there is a book on display "L'uomo che guarda" of the Italian writer Alberto Moravia. This book was written in 1985, long after the events in the movie.

Quotes:

David: Why do people do such terrible things?
Sophie: Like what?
David: Like beat people, and kill them, and make them prisoners.
Sophie: Most people don't do that, David.
David: My friend Johannes always used to tell me, "Trust no one."
Sophie: Oh, life wouldn't be worth living if you did that, David.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

Soundtrack:

Come Di

Excellent film

In a day when few films are wholesome or uplifting, this film was a breath of fresh air. All those who have made negative remarks about Ben Tibber's performance - it is clear you have never met anyone from Bulgaria. His stoic and serious role was accurate and well done.

As I did not know anything about this movie when I watched it, it seemed slow and at times frustrating. However, I am extremely glad I watched the entire film, as the message of this film is outstanding.

It is unfortunate that many have forgotten that films can be educational as well as entertaining, and uplifting as well as meaningful. Children and adults alike can learn history through films such as I Am David, as they experience stories they may have forever been ignorant of if not for the makers of this film.