Birdy Japanese Pamphlet - Vintage Birdy, who has a delicate heart, is mentally scarred by the Vietnam War. All that comes to his mind is the desire he dreamed of as a child: "I want to become a bird and fly freely in the sky." "Birdy" is a 1984 American film. Directed by Alan Parker, starring Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage. The original work is the novel of the same name by William Wharton. Director: Alan Parker Screenplay: Sandy Kroopf Jack Behr Original Work: William Wharton Producer: Alan Marshall Executive Producer: David Manson Cast: Matthew Modine Nicolas Cage Music: Peter Gabriel Cinematography: Michael Seresin Editor: Gerry Hambling Distribution: TriStar Pictures Release: United States: December 21, 1984 Japan: August 30, 1985 Running time: 120 minutes