by Warner Home Video
Sales Rank: 12765
Price: $4.98
Some of us will never understand why this boy-and-his-whale tale became the hit family film of 1993 and one of the bestselling videos of all time. But it is easy to see how clever marketing and a tear-jerking story could touch the hearts of kids and parents the world over, especially because the endangered Orca whale named Willy is such a majestic creature. The story couldn't be more conventional--it's like <i>Old Yeller</i> and <i>The Black Stallion</i> with a big sea mammal--but as the boy who comes to Willy's aid against the whale's exploitative owner, young Jason James Richter gives an appealing performance with which children can readily identify. After two sequels and an animated television series, this popular film also had a happy real-life ending: Keiko the whale (who plays Willy) recovered from failing health and was gradually trained to survive outside of captivity. <i>--Jeff Shannon</i>
Viewer Reviews Well, I can finally say I saw 'Free Willy'! Family friendly film with a simple story. It's easy to watch and it will keep the kids happy. I bought the triple feature with all 3 films for under $10.00, it's hard to go wrong for that price! The DVD set has very good transfers for all 3 films.
