Every Parrot Has a Story; Every Story Has Wings

Read Time:5 Minute, 15 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (Blu-ray)
G –

Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2003, Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 23m
Director(s): Judy Irving
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL is a gentle but deeply moving story about unexpected connection, purpose, and the wildness we welcome into our lives when we least expect it. Director Judy Irving crafts an intimate portrait of Mark Bittner, a former street musician who, without trying, finds his calling among a flock of wild parrots living in San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill neighborhood.

At first glance, the film appears to be a quiet meditation on urban wildlife. While it certainly captures the beauty and behavior of these wild birds, it quickly evolves into something richer: a character study, a love story, and a reflection on what it means to belong. Bittner's life takes on meaning not because he achieves success, but because he finds connection with the birds, and eventually, with the community.

The film’s restoration brings out the vivid reds and greens of the parrots’ plumage in a way that is nothing short of breathtaking. Watching them fly across the city skyline feels more like watching dancers than birds. The contrast between the chaos of urban landscape and the grace of the flock is one of the documentary’s most powerful visual tools, and the upgrade in image quality only deepens that impact.

Bittner himself is a soft-spoken, deeply empathetic presence. His narration is thoughtful and unforced, revealing the depth of his bond with each bird. He doesn’t just observe the flock—he learns their personalities, their social structures, their habits. He names them, yes, but not in a way that humanizes them for entertainment. He simply treats them as individuals. It’s that quiet respect that makes the film stick.

But this isn’t some lighthearted romp through city trees. The emotional core of the story slowly surfaces as Bittner confronts the real-life consequences of his relationship with the parrots. He’s forced to leave the cottage where he lives, unsure if the birds will adapt to his absence. Conservationists and city authorities debate whether human intervention is helping or harming the flock. And Bittner begins to wrestle with whether he’s become too involved—if his love is helping, or if it’s ultimately a form of control.

These moments shift the film into something more reflective. It’s not just about a man and some birds—it’s about interdependence, aging, and the small ways we find meaning in a chaotic world. Bittner’s relationship with the parrots is framed not as salvation, but as transformation. They do not heal him. He grows beside them. His journey, like theirs, is not without risk, loss, and uncertainty.

And while it may not follow a traditional narrative arc, the structure works in its favor. It ebbs and flows, like life. Some viewers might find the middle section a bit slow, but the authenticity of the story makes up for any pacing lulls. By the time the film ends, it feels less like you’ve watched a documentary and more like you’ve lived a quiet, meaningful chapter of someone else’s life.

The emotional payoff sneaks up on you. It’s not built on tragedy or triumph, but on understanding. You come to care for these birds and this man not because the film tells you to, but because the movie shows you their connection in moments that feel so unguarded and true. Whether it’s Bittner coaxing a sick bird to eat or standing at the edge of the hill watching the flock disappear into the fog, the imagery and emotion are quietly overwhelming.

This edition includes behind-the-scenes commentary, deleted scenes, and updates on Bittner’s life and his ongoing relationship with the film’s director, Judy Irving, who later became his wife. Those aspects of this package don’t just provide context—they reinforce the sense that this story wasn’t a one-time event, but a lasting imprint. The film earns its place as a memorable and meaningful documentary experience. It doesn’t need spectacle or tragedy to leave an impression. It simply asks you to look closer, listen longer, and remember that sometimes, the most powerful connections are the ones we never thought we’d make.

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL reminds us that the wild is all around us—and sometimes, so is purpose. It’s a love story without romance, a coming-of-age tale without youth, and a portrait of community in the most unexpected of places. Whether you come for the birds or stay for the heart, this one lingers.

Product Extras:
Archival Audio Commentary by Mark Bittner, author of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill book
Updates
Outtakes
Deleted Scenes
Interview
Music Videos
Short Films
Theatrical Trailer

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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