Free Willy (10th Anniversary Special Edition) (1993)

"The most rousing family adventure since E.T.  Bob Campbell, Newhouse News Service
"Pure magic. You will cheer.  Joel Siegel, Good Morning Amerca
"Willy will win your heart.  WOR Radio

Editor's Note Jesse, a homeless orphan who spends his days evading the police, finally gets caught spray painting a whale tank at a local park. Because he distrusts adults intensely, Jesse's not too happy when authorities place him in a foster home and sentence him to clean up the tank he vandalized. Unexpectedly, Willy, the whale who inhabits the tank, takes a liking to Jesse, and the animal and child develop a bond -- a bond that also helps Jesse open up to the adults in his life, including his new parents and the whale's caretakers. But then Jesse learns that Dial, who owns the park, only wants to keep Willy if he can be trained to perform for an audience. Can the boy find a way to save his beloved whale before Dial plays some dirty tricks of his own?

	August Schellenberg
	Jason James Richter
	Jayne Atkinson
	Lori Petty
	Michael Ironside
	Michael Madsen
	Mykelti Williamson
	Arnon Milchan - Executive Producer
	Basil Poledouris - Musical Score
	Corey Blechman - Screenplay
	Keith A. Walker - Based on Story By
	Keith A. Walker - Screenplay
	Richard Donner - Executive Producer
	Robbie Greenberg - Director of Photography
	Simon Wincer - Director

Jesse, a homeless orphan who spends his days evading the police, finally gets caught spray painting a whale tank at a local park. Because he distrusts adults intensely, Jesse's not too happy when authorities place him in a foster home and sentence him to clean up the tank he vandalized.| Unexpectedly, Willy, the whale who inhabits the tank, takes a liking to Jesse, and the animal and child develop a bond -- a bond that also helps Jesse open up to the adults in his life, including his new parents and the whale's caretakers.| But then Jesse learns that Dial, who owns the park, only wants to keep Willy if he can be trained to perform for an audience. Can the boy find a way to save his beloved whale before Dial plays some dirty tricks of his own? New York Times
"...Sweet-natured....Nicely acted by [Richter] and by his older associates..." 07/16/1993 p.C12

Variety
"...An exhilarating drama....An astute, intelligent family picture, the film is a potent reminder that you can have your heart in the right place and still produce a gripping, satisfying entertainment..." 07/19/1993

Washington Post 7 of 10
It sounds like it won't add up to much--a boy, a whale and a G-rated movie. But Free Willy is - Desson Howe

ReelViews 7 of 10
This is one of those unusual films that is capable of enthralling those under twelve while not sendi - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun Times 7 of 10
Free Willy has a kind of gentle sweetness that I found very appealing. It is about change - a - Roger Ebert