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{{short description|1993 family drama film}} {{short description|1993 family drama film}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Free Willy | name = Free Willy
| image = Free willy.jpg | image = Free willy.jpg
| alt = An orca jumps over a jetty with a young boy giving out its signal to the orca. The film's tagline reads "A Friendship you could never imagine".
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer ={{plainlist| | producer = {{plainlist|
* Jennie Lew Tugend * Jennie Lew Tugend
* ] * ]
Line 32: Line 35:
| released = {{Film date|1993|7|16}} | released = {{Film date|1993|7|16}}
| runtime = 112 minutes | runtime = 112 minutes
| country = United States | country = United States<br>Netherlands<br>France
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $20 million<ref name=NUM>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Free-Willy |title=Free Willy |website=The Numbers |access-date=July 8, 2023}}</ref>
| budget = $20 million
| gross = $153.7 million | gross = $153.7 million<ref name="bom"/>
}} }}
'''''Free Willy''''' is a 1993 American ] ], directed by ], produced by ] and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by ] and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by ] under their ] imprint. The film stars ] in his film debut, ], ], ] and ] with the eponymous character, Willy, played by ]. '''''Free Willy''''' is a 1993 American ] ], directed by ], produced by ] and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by ] and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by ] under their ] imprint. The film stars ] in his film debut, ], ], ], and ] with the eponymous character, Willy, played by ].


The story is about an orphan boy who was ordered to clean up graffiti at an ailing amusement park as probation for vandalizing the observation area, and it was there that he befriended a captive ] until a dark secret revealed that the park's greedy owner plans to kill the whale for money. The story is about a 12-year-old orphaned boy named Jesse who befriends a captive ], Willy, at an ailing amusement park. When he discovers that the park owner has been planning to dispose of Willy, he hatches a scheme to break Willy out of captivity.


Shot between May and August 1992 and released on July 16, 1993, the film received positive attention from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $153.7 million from a $20 million budget. Released on July 16, 1993, the film received positive attention from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $153.7 million from a $20 million budget. It grew into ], including an ], two sequels, and a ] in addition to inspiring the rehabilitation and release of Keiko. The film marked Keith A. Walker's only film as screenwriter, and last project before his death in late December 1996.


==Plot==
It grew into a small franchise, including a television series, two sequels and a direct-to-video reboot. It also inspired the rehabilitation and release of Keiko.
On the ] coastline, a ] of ] is tracked down by ]. One of the orcas is captured and separated from his family and sold to the Northwest Adventure Park.


Months later in Portland, Jesse, an orphan abandoned by his estranged mother six years ago, fled from Cooperton with his fellow orphans and spends three days roaming the streets, begging for money and stealing food. To evade police in pursuit later that night, he and Perry break into the adventure park's observation area. While doing ] on the walls and its water tank, Jesse comes face to face with the orca before getting caught by the police. Dwight informs him that his new ], Glen and Annie Greenwood, would be happy to take him in. Jesse, who hopes to be reunited with his mother, begrudgingly goes to live with them in ].
== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films must be from 400 to 700 words only. Keep this message for new editors, and please shorten in case this goes beyond the word limit.-->
Near the coastline of the ], a pod of ]s are peacefully swimming. The pod is tracked down by a group of ]s, and one of them, with a distinguishable set of three spots, is trapped and sent to the Northwest Adventure Park while his family is unable to help.


To avoid being sent to juvenile hall if he flees again, Jesse is allowed to make up for his vandalism by cleaning and repainting the observation area. He forms a bond with the orca, named Willy, when he takes a liking to Jesse’s ] playing. With probation ending, and his job almost up, Jesse sneaks out of the house to visit Willy and falls in the tank. He nearly drowns but Willy saves and brings him to the surface. Randolph Johnson and Rae Lindley, Willy's respective ] caretaker and trainer/veterinarian, notice that Jesse is the only human normally ill-tempered Willy responds to, and eventually, Jesse is offered a summer job. He also starts to warm up to the Greenwoods.
Sometime later in ], Jesse, a troubled orphaned 12-year-old boy abandoned by his estranged drug-addicted mother six years before, is caught by police for vandalizing the theme park, alongside his friend Perry who escaped. On the night of his arrest, he encounters the orca whale. Jesse's social worker Dwight earns him a reprieve by finding him a foster home and having him clean up the graffiti at the park, as part of his probation. His foster parents are the supportive and kind Annie and Glen Greenwood, but Jesse is initially unruly and hostile to them.


Park owner Dial sees Jesse and Willy's talent in hopes of finally making money from the orca, who has thus far been a costly venture for him. On opening day, however, he refuses to perform due to being antagonized. Jesse, unable to get him to do tricks while dealing with pressure from spectators, tearfully storms off and plans to find his mother. Willy cracks the tank with his stress-induced rage, having had enough of the children's constant banging. Jesse sneaks out to stop by the tank to say goodbye to Willy. Before leaving, something responds to Willy's calling again. Jesse follows the responses and realizes Willy is communicating with his pod. The discovery is interrupted when park manager Wade and some colleagues sneak into the observation area to deliberately damage the spot where Willy smashed the tank so that the water will leak out.
While working at the park, Jesse sees the whale again. The whale, named Willy by the owners, is regarded as surly and uncooperative his trainer Rae Lindley. Willy, however, takes a liking to Jesse's harmonica playing and later saves Jesse from drowning one night. The two start a bond and Jesse also becomes friendly with Willy's keeper, Randolph Johnson, who witnessed Jesse's arrest the previous night. Randolph teaches him about his connection with Willy. Jesse is offered a permanent job at the theme park after probation, and also warms into his new home.


Randolph explains to Jesse that Dial plans to kill Willy and collect the million-dollar insurance. Jesse hatches a plan to return him to the ocean, with Randolph and Rae joining in. They use a forklift to transport Willy from tank to Glen's pickup truck Jesse and Randolph stole. Dial launches a search when he is informed by Wade about Willy. When the truck gets stuck in the mud, Jesse uses the truck’s ] to call Glen and Annie for help. Both of them arrive and Glen is reluctant to assist but relents when Jesse pleads with him. After a brief stop at a car wash to wet Willy more, Glen drives the truck to Dawson’s Marina, where Dial, Wade, and their men have assembled at the gates to halt them. Glen's truck smashes through the gate and backs Willy into the water.
The owner of the Northwest Adventure Park, Dial, sees the talent Jesse and Willy have together and makes plans to host "The Willy Show" in hopes of finally making money from Willy, who has thus far been a costly venture for him. On the day of the first performance, Willy is antagonized by children banging constantly on his underwater observation area and refuses to perform. Jesse, unable to get Willy to do tricks while dealing with pressure from the crowd, storms off in tears and plans to run away to find his mom. In a stress-induced rage, Willy smashes against the tank, damaging it. Later, while at the tank, Jesse says his last farewell but notices Willy's family calling to him from the ocean and realizes how miserable he is in captivity after discovering their voices responding to Willy's cry. Shortly after, Jesse spots Dial's assistant, Wade, and several colleagues sneaking into the underwater observation area. They deliberately damage the tank enough that the water will gradually leak out and kill Willy, allowing them to cash in on his $1,000,000 insurance policy.


After a struggle with Dial's men and Wade, Willy manages to swim away, but two of Dial's whaling ships seal off the marina. Jesse runs toward the ] and encourages Willy to follow him and jump over. On the breakwater, Jesse recites a Haida prayer Randolph had taught him through the story of ], before giving Willy the signal to jump. Willy makes the jump over and lands in the ocean on the other side, free to return to his pod, while a dismayed Dial and Wade can only watch. Jesse thanks and hugs Glen and Annie as Willy calls out to him in the distance.
Jesse and Randolph hatch a plan to release Willy back into the ocean, and also brought Rae into the mix. They use equipment at the park to load Willy onto a trailer, and Jesse and Randolph use Glen's truck to tow Willy to Dawson's Marina. Wade meanwhile calls Dial to inform him that Willy is missing, thinking that Rae and Randolph did it. Dial tells him to call Wilson as he launches a search to find the fugitives. Jesse, Randolph and Rae try to stay on the back roads to avoid being spotted, but eventually get stuck in the mud.


== Cast ==
With Randolph and Rae unable to move the trailer, Jesse calls Glen and Annie using a ] in the truck. Annie and Glen show up and help free the truck, and continue on to the marina to release Willy, making a stop at a car wash to hose Willy down. There, Dial, Wade, and his associates are blocking the gate. Glen smashes through the gate, turns the truck around and backs Willy into the water, flooding his truck in the process.
* ] as Jesse, a 12-year-old orphan
* ] as Rae Lindley, Northwest Adventure Park trainer, Willy's veterinarian and aspiring marine biologist
* ] as Annie Greenwood, a teacher, Jesse's foster mom and Glen's wife
* ] as Randolph Johnson, Willy's Haida caretaker
* ] as Glen Greenwood, Greenwood Auto Repairs founder and owner, Jesse's foster dad and Annie's husband
* ] as Dial, the greedy owner of Northwest Adventure Park
* ] as Wade, Northwest Adventure Park general manager
* ] as Dwight Mercer, Jesse's social worker
* ] as Perry, a runaway orphan who also hangs with other street kids and works alongside a criminal
* ] as Gwenie, a runaway orphan
* Isaiah Malone as Vector, a runaway orphan
* Tom Lasswell as Brody, a truck stop employee who reveals to the Greenwoods that he saw Glen's stolen pickup carrying Willy
* ] as Willy, a captive 12-year-old orca whom Jesse befriends
Then-Astoria mayor ] made a cameo appearance as a fish vendor. ] was the announcer for the Northwest Adventure Park's aquatic theater. Additionally, ] and Ed Murphy play two homeless men at the car wash station where the former makes a compliment to Randolph after seeing Willy getting sprayed. ] was a stunt double for Jason James Richter in some scenes including Willy saving Jesse.


== Production ==
Willy is finally released into the water but does not immediately move, seemingly having been on dry land for too long. Wade and the confederates attempt to stop them, but Jesse and his friends fight back, trying to hold them off long enough for Willy to swim away. With Jesse's encouragement, Willy finally begins to swim, slipping away from the battle and heading for the marina entrance. Before he can make it into the ocean, however, two of Dial's whaling ships suddenly appear, sealing off the marina with their nets. Jesse runs towards the ], calling for Willy to follow him, drawing him away from the boats. Jesse goes to the edge and tells Willy that if he makes the jump, it will be his highest, and he'll be free. Jesse says a tearful goodbye, but pulls himself together and goes back to the top. He recites a ] prayer Randolph had taught him, before giving Willy a signal. Willy makes the jump over the breakwater and lands in the ocean on the other side, finally free to return to his family, much to Dial’s dismay. Jesse goes back to Glen and Annie who hug him as Willy calls out to Jesse in the distance.
=== Writing ===
The project first originated in 1984 when ] conceived of the story while working on '']'' with the film's director ], who would eventually serve as one of the executive producers for ''Free Willy''. In the original script, the character of Jesse was a ] 10-year-old boy living with nuns.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Anne |date=July 30, 1993 |title=''Free Willy'': Sleeper hit |url=https://ew.com/article/1993/07/30/free-willy-sleeper-hit/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref> Donner and his wife, producer ], hired screenwriter Corey Blechman to update the script and to make it less sentimental, including making Jesse older and into a street tough-type.<ref name=":1" />


== Cast == === Filming ===
Filmmakers searched throughout the U.S., Japan, France, Spain, and Argentina for an orca to portray Willy before settling on ], a twelve-year-old orca that had been residing at ] amusement park in ] since 1985.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Free Willy (1993) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/59531 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=]}}</ref> The production team was able to film Keiko in the park while it underwent renovations from May and June 1992.<ref name=":2" /> A wooden backdrop was used to make the Reino Aventura aquatic arena appear as if it was located in the Pacific Northwest.<ref name=":2" /> Once filming concluded in Mexico City, production moved to Oregon and ] for location shooting. Oregon locations featured in the film include ], ], ], ], 14th Street Pier, ], ] and ]. The climactic jump scene takes place at the Hammond Marina in ] where a rocket launcher was used to shoot the Willy animatronic out of the shoot.<ref name=":2" /> The final scene along with the opening (16 shots) and end credits (27 shots) orca wildlife montages were shot by Bob Talbot.
* ] as Jesse
* ] as Rae Lindley
* ] as Annie Greenwood
* ] as Randolph Johnson
* ] as Glen Greenwood
* ] as Dial
* ] as Wade
* ] as Dwight Mercer
* ] as Perry
* ] as Gwenie
* ] as Willy


Most close-up shots involving limited movement by Willy, such as when he is in the trailer and the sequences involving him swimming in the open water, make use of an animatronic stand-in. ], who supervised the effects for the orcas, estimated that half of the shots of the orca used animatronic stand-ins. Conti stated that the smaller movements of a real orca actually made things difficult in some ways for him and his crew; they had to concentrate on smaller nuances in order to make the character seem alive.<ref name="Rickett2006">{{cite book |title=Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the Scenes With the Movie Masters |last=Rickitt |first=Richard |year=2006 |publisher=Focal Press |isbn=978-0-240-80846-8 |pages=161–65}}</ref> The most extensive use of CGI in the film is the climax where Willy jumps over Jesse and into the wild. All stunts with Keiko were performed by the young orca trainer Justin Sherbert (known additionally by his stage name, Justin Sherman).
Former Astoria mayor ] made a cameo appearance as a fish vendor. ] had a voice role as an announcer for the Northwest Adventure Park.


] took place from May 18 to August 17, 1992.<ref name=":2" />
== Production ==
Most close-up shots involving limited movement by Willy, such as when Willy is in the trailer and the sequences involving Willy swimming in the open water, make use of an animatronic stand-in. ], who supervised the effects for the orcas, estimated that half of the shots of the orca used animatronic stand-ins. Conti stated that the smaller movements of a real orca actually made things difficult in some ways for him and his crew; they had to concentrate on smaller nuances in order to make the character seem alive.<ref name=Rickett2006>{{cite book |title=Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the Scenes With the Movie Masters |last=Rickitt |first=Richard |year=2006 |publisher=Focal Press |isbn=978-0-240-80846-8 |pages=161–65 }}</ref> The most extensive use of CGI in the film is the climax, filmed at the Hammond Marina in ], where Willy jumps over Jesse and into the wild. All stunts with the orca were performed by the young orca trainer Justin Sherbert (known additionally by his stage name, Justin Sherman). ] took place from May 18 to August 17, 1992.


== Release == == Release ==
=== Box office performance === === Box office performance ===
The film was released alongside '']'' on July 16, 1993 and grossed $7,868,829 domestically in its opening weekend.<ref name="bom">{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0106965/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Free Willy | publisher=]|access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref> It went on to make $76 million in its foreign release The film was released alongside '']'' and '']'' on July 16, 1993, and grossed $7,868,829 domestically in its opening weekend.<ref name="bom">{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0106965/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 | title=Free Willy | website=] | access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref> It went on to make $76 million in its foreign release and $11,181 from the 2021 re-release in some domestic markets, bringing the film's gross to $153,709,806.<ref name="bom"/> Upon its initial release, ''Free Willy'' ranked number 5 behind ''Hocus Pocus'' plus holdovers from '']'', '']'' and '']'' at the box office before moving to number 4 by the following weekend and it stayed there for two more weeks. Afterward, its rank in the box office began to gradually decline, with the exception of a three-day weekend (September 3 to 6), in which gross revenue increased by 33.6%.<ref name="bom"/>
and $11,181 from the 2021 re-release in some domestic markets, bringing the film's gross to $153,709,.<ref name="bom"/> Upon its initial release, ''Free Willy'' ranked number 5 behind the latter film, '']'', '']'' and '']'' at the box office before moving to number 4 by the following weekend and it stayed there for two more weeks. Afterward, its rank in the box office began to gradually decline, with the of a three-day weekend (September 3 to September 6), in which gross revenue increased by 33.6%.<ref name="bom"/>


=== Critical response === === Critical response ===
The film has received positive reviews from critics. The ] website reported that 71% of critics have given the film a fresh rating based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10.<ref name=":0" /> The site's critics consensus reads, "''Free Willy'' tugs at the heartstrings skillfully enough to leap above the rising tide of sentimentality that threatens to drown its formulaic family-friendly story."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Free Willy (1993)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/free_willy|url-status=live|access-date=August 4, 2021|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=]}}</ref> The film on ] has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews" from 14 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/free-willy |title=Free Willy Reviews |publisher=] |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922230344/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/free-willy |url-status=live }}</ref> The film has received positive reviews from critics. The ] website reported that 71% of critics have given the film a fresh rating based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10.<ref name=":0" /> The site's critics consensus reads: "''Free Willy'' tugs at the heartstrings skillfully enough to leap above the rising tide of sentimentality that threatens to drown its formulaic family-friendly story".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Free Willy (1993)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/free_willy|access-date=August 4, 2021|website=]}}</ref> The film on ] has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews" from 14 reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/free-willy |title=Free Willy Reviews |publisher=] |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922230344/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/free-willy |url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |access-date=October 18, 2022 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== Accolades === === Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="font-size: 95%; width: 100%;" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="font-size: 95%; width: 100%;"
|- |-
! scope="col"| Date !! scope="col"| Award !! scope="col"| Category !! scope="col"| Recipient(s) and Nominee(s) !! scope="col"| Result !! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. ! scope="col"| Award !! scope="col" | Date !! scope="col" | Category !! scope="col"| Recipient(s) and nominee(s) !! scope="col"| Result !! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}}
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| ] | rowspan="2"| ]
| rowspan="2"| February 5, 1994 | rowspan="2"| ]
| Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama | Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama
| ] | ]
| {{Won}}{{ref|1|1}} | {{Won}}{{ref|1|1}}
| rowspan="2"| <ref name="Young Artist Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm |title=15th Annual Youth In Film Awards |access-date=2020-09-21 |work=YoungArtistAwards.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5ww3RO8zx?url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm |archive-date=2011-03-04 }}</ref> | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref name="Young Artist Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm |title=15th Annual Youth In Film Awards |access-date=September 21, 2020 |work=YoungArtistAwards.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403132553/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm |archive-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref>
|- |-
| Outstanding Family Motion Picture: Drama | Outstanding Family Motion Picture: Drama
Line 103: Line 109:
| {{Won}} | {{Won}}
|- |-
| rowspan="2"| ] | rowspan="2"| ]
| rowspan="2"| May 7, 1994 | rowspan="2"| ]
| Favorite Film | Favorite Film
| ''Free Willy'' | ''Free Willy''
| {{Nominated}} | {{Nominated}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1994 |title=It's time for Kids' choice T.V. awards |agency=] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VDhOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA21 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |via=]}}</ref>
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Favorite Movie Actress | Favorite Movie Actress
| ] | ]
| {{Nominated}} | {{Nominated}}
| align="center"|
|- |-
| rowspan="3"| ] | rowspan="3"| ]
| rowspan="3"| June 4, 1994 | rowspan="3"| ]
| Breakthrough Performance | Breakthrough Performance
| Jason James Richter | Jason James Richter
| {{Nominated}} | {{Nominated}}
| rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 Movie Awards |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/1994/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423094814/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/1994/ |archive-date=2008-04-23 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=MTV}}</ref>
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Best Kiss | Best Kiss
| Jason James Richter and ] | Jason James Richter and ]
| {{Nominated}} | {{Nominated}}
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Best Song From a Movie | Best Song From a Movie
| "]" by ] | "]" by ]
| {{Won}} | {{Won}}
| align="center"|
|- |-
| scope="row"| ] | scope="row"| ]
Line 137: Line 140:
| ] | ]
| {{Won}} | {{Won}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 28, 1994 |title=BMI Gives Awards for Television, Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA72 |magazine=Billboard |volume=106 |issue=22 |pages=72 |access-date=July 8, 2023}}</ref>
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Environmental Media Awards | ]
| 1994 | 1994
| Feature Film | Feature Film
| ''Free Willy'' | ''Free Willy''
| {{Won}} | {{Won}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=EMA Awards - Past Recipients and Honorees |url=https://www.green4ema.org/ema-awards/ema-awards-past-recipients-and-honorees |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Environmental Media Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Genesis Awards | ]
| 1994 | 1994
| Feature Film | Feature Film
| ''Free Willy'' | ''Free Willy''
| {{Won}} | {{Won}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1994 |title=Genesis Awards go to 'Free Willy,' TV shows |work=UPI |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/03/02/Genesis-Awards-go-to-Free-Willy-TV-shows/8295762584400/ |access-date=July 8, 2023}}</ref>
| align="center"|
|- |-
| Golden Screen, Germany | ]
| 1994 | 1994
| Golden Screen | Golden Screen
Line 165: Line 168:
|} |}


===Home media===
The film is recognized by ] in these lists:
''Free Willy'' sold almost 9 million units on videocassette following its release in December 11, 1993.<ref name="VideoSales">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1995/film/features/wb-pushes-willy-2-vid-99129969/ |title=WB pushes 'Willy 2' vid |date=September 4, 1995 |magazine=]|access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=December 11, 1993|title=Top Video Sales For Week Ending December 11, 1993|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-12-11.pdf|magazine=]|page=121|access-date=February 5, 2024}}</ref> The original VHS, 10th Anniversary DVD, and Blu-ray releases also had a music video of the ] song, "]".
* 2006: ] – Nominated<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/cheers300.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers Nominees |access-date=2016-08-14 |archive-date=2019-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402033732/http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/cheers300.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Home Video===
Free Willy sold almost 9 million units on videocassette.<ref name="VideoSales">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1995/film/features/wb-pushes-willy-2-vid-99129969/|title= WB pushes ‘Willy 2’ vid |publisher=Variety|access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>


== Soundtrack == == Soundtrack ==
Line 175: Line 175:
| name = Free Willy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | name = Free Willy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| type = soundtrack | type = soundtrack
| artist = Various artists | artist = various artists
| cover = | cover =
| alt = | alt =
Line 184: Line 184:
| genre = | genre =
| length = 59:26 | length = 59:26
| label = {{hlist|MJJ|]}} | label =
* MJJ
| producer = Joel Sill<br>Gary LeMel<br>Jerry Greenberg
* ]
* ]
| producer =
* Joel Sill
* Gary LeMel
* Jerry Greenberg
| prev_title = | prev_title =
| prev_year = | prev_year =
Line 199: Line 205:
}} }}
}} }}
{{Album ratings {{Music ratings
| title =
| subtitle =
<!-- Aggregate scores -->
| ADM =
| MC =
| aggregate1 =
| aggregate1score =
| aggregate2 =
| aggregate2score =
| aggregate3 =
| aggregate3score =
<!-- ... -->
<!-- Reviewers -->
| rev1 = ] | rev1 = ]
| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/free-willy-mw0000099315|title=Free Willy - Original Soundtrack - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911073957/http://www.allmusic.com/album/free-willy-mw0000099315|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/free-willy-mw0000099315|title=Free Willy - Original Soundtrack - Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=AllMusic|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911073957/http://www.allmusic.com/album/free-willy-mw0000099315|url-status=live}}</ref>
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The soundtrack was released in July 13, 1993 by MJJ Music in association with the ] sub-label ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1993/music/news/willy-music-launches-mjj-epic-107692/#|title=‘Willy’ music launches MJJ/Epic|author=Variety Staff|website=Variety|date=Jun 10, 1993|accessdate=March 30, 2021}}</ref> It contained all the songs that were featured in the movie. ] produced and performed "]", originally taken from his 1991 album '']'', which can be heard during the end credits. The single version, under the title "Will You Be There (Reprise)", is also included. The song went on to become a top 10 hit in the ] charts and was certified platinum as well as winning the ] for ]. A remix of ]'s 1992 song "]", which contained a sample of Jackson's "]", became the group's highest charted single to date when it also landed in the Hot 100 chart at No. 2. ] recorded their first song since they briefly changed their name to NKOTB.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/180047-what-the-whale-from-free-willy-taught-us-about-orcas-long-before-blackfish-hit-theaters|title=What The Whale From 'Free Willy' Taught Us About Orcas, Long Before 'Blackfish' Hit Theaters|first=Sage|last=Young|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072600/https://www.bustle.com/articles/180047-what-the-whale-from-free-willy-taught-us-about-orcas-long-before-blackfish-hit-theaters|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Free Willy'' film soundtrack was released on July 13, 1993, on CD and audio cassette by MJJ Music and ] in association with the ] sub-label ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1993/music/news/willy-music-launches-mjj-epic-107692/#|title='Willy' music launches MJJ/Epic|work=Variety|date=June 10, 1993|accessdate=March 30, 2021}}</ref> It contained all the songs that were featured in the film. ] wrote, produced and performed "]", taken from his 1991 album '']'', which can be heard during the end credits (without the orchestral prelude and interlude). The single version, under the title "Will You Be There (Reprise)", is also included. The song went on to become a top 10 hit in the ] charts and was certified platinum as well as winning the ] for ]. A remix of ]'s 1992 song "]", which contained a sample of Jackson's "]", became the group's highest charted single to date and the second biggest hit off the soundtrack when it also landed in the Hot 100 chart at No. 2. ] recorded their first song since they briefly changed their name to NKOTB.<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Sage |date=August 24, 2016 |title=What The Whale From 'Free Willy' Taught Us About Orcas, Long Before 'Blackfish' Hit Theaters |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/180047-what-the-whale-from-free-willy-taught-us-about-orcas-long-before-blackfish-hit-theaters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072600/https://www.bustle.com/articles/180047-what-the-whale-from-free-willy-taught-us-about-orcas-long-before-blackfish-hit-theaters |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |access-date=September 11, 2017 |website=Bustle}}</ref>


=== Track listing === === Track listing ===
{{Track listing {{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline = | headline =
| extra_column = Artist | extra_column = Artist
| total_length = 59:26 | total_length = 59:26

| all_writing = | all_writing =
| all_lyrics = | all_lyrics =
| all_music = | all_music =

| title_width = | title_width =
| writing_width = | writing_width =
| music_width = | music_width =
| lyrics_width = | lyrics_width =
| extra_width = | extra_width =

| title1 = ] | title1 = ]
| note1 = | note1 =
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| lyrics1 = | lyrics1 =
| music1 = | music1 =
| extra1 = Michael Jackson | extra1 = ]
| length1 = 5:53 | length1 = 5:53

| title2 = Keep on Smilin{{'-}} | title2 = Keep on Smilin{{'-}}
| note2 = | note2 =
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| extra2 = ] | extra2 = ]
| length2 = 4:36 | length2 = 4:36

| title3 = Didn't Mean to Hurt You | title3 = Didn't Mean to Hurt You
| note3 = | note3 =
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| extra3 = ] | extra3 = ]
| length3 = 5:47 | length3 = 5:47

| title4 = ] | title4 = ]
| note4 = Human Nature Remix | note4 = Human Nature Remix
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| extra4 = ] | extra4 = ]
| length4 = 3:50 | length4 = 3:50

| title5 = How Can You Leave Me Now | title5 = How Can You Leave Me Now
| note5 = | note5 =
| writer5 = Paul Fraizer | writer5 = Paul Frazier
| lyrics5 = | lyrics5 =
| music5 = | music5 =
| extra5 = Funky Poets | extra5 = Funky Poets
| length5 = 5:43 | length5 = 5:43

| title6 = Main Title | title6 = Main Title
| note6 = | note6 =
| writer6 = | writer6 =
| lyrics6 = | lyrics6 =
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| extra6 = ] | extra6 = ]
| length6 = 5:07 | length6 = 5:07

| title7 = Connection | title7 = Connection
| note7 = | note7 =
| writer7 = | writer7 =
| lyrics7 = | lyrics7 =
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| extra7 = Basil Poledouris | extra7 = Basil Poledouris
| length7 = 1:44 | length7 = 1:44

| title8 = The Gifts | title8 = The Gifts
| note8 = | note8 =
| writer8 = | writer8 =
| lyrics8 = | lyrics8 =
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| extra8 = Basil Poledouris | extra8 = Basil Poledouris
| length8 = 5:19 | length8 = 5:19

| title9 = Friends Montage | title9 = Friends Montage
| note9 = | note9 =
| writer9 = | writer9 =
| lyrics9 = | lyrics9 =
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| extra9 = Basil Poledouris | extra9 = Basil Poledouris
| length9 = 3:40 | length9 = 3:40

| title10 = Auditon | title10 = Auditon
| note10 = | note10 =
| writer10 = | writer10 =
| lyrics10 = | lyrics10 =
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| extra10 = Basil Poledouris | extra10 = Basil Poledouris
| length10 = 2:04 | length10 = 2:04
| title11 = Farewell Suite

* a. "Jesse Says Goodbye"&nbsp;– 3:37
| title11 = Farewell Suite
* a. "Jessie Says Goodbye"&nbsp;– 3:37
* b. "Let's Free Willy!"&nbsp;– 3:35 * b. "Let's Free Willy!"&nbsp;– 3:35
* c. "Return to Freedom"&nbsp;– 4:49 * c. "Return to Freedom"&nbsp;– 4:49
| note11 = | note11 =
| writer11 = | writer11 =
| lyrics11 = | lyrics11 =
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| extra11 = Basil Poledouris | extra11 = Basil Poledouris
| length11 = 12:01 | length11 = 12:01

| title12 = Will You Be There | title12 = Will You Be There
| note12 = Reprise | note12 = Reprise
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== Keiko == == Keiko ==
{{Main|Keiko (killer whale)}} {{Main|Keiko (orca)}}
The aquatic star of the film was an orca named ]. The huge national and international success of this film inspired a letter writing campaign to get Keiko released from his captivity as an attraction in the amusement park ] in Mexico City; this movement was called "Free Keiko". Warner Bros. was so grateful for the whale, and so moved by the fans' ambition, they contributed to rehabilitate and (if possible) free Keiko. He was moved to ] in Oregon by flying in a UPS ] cargo plane. In Oregon, he was returned to health with the hopes of being able to return to the wild.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivyXuErx4DMC&q=keiko+reino+aventura+donated&pg=PT15|title=Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home|first=Linda Moore|last=Kurth|date=September 11, 2017|publisher=Millbrook Press|access-date=September 11, 2017|via=Google Books|isbn=9780761315001|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219150053/https://books.google.com/books?id=ivyXuErx4DMC&q=keiko+reino+aventura+donated&pg=PT15|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, Keiko was moved to Iceland via a ] to learn to live in the wild. After working with handlers, he was released from a sea pen in the summer of 2002 and swam to Norway following a pod of wild orcas.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |date=February 25, 2010 |title=Killer whales: What to do with captive orcas? |website=] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8536000/8536184.stm |url-status=live |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816015401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8536000/8536184.stm |archive-date=August 16, 2017}}</ref>

The aquatic star of the film was an orca named ]. The huge national and international success of this film inspired a letter writing campaign to get Keiko released from his captivity as an attraction in the amusement park ] in Mexico City; this movement was called "Free Keiko". Warner Bros. was so grateful for the whale, and so moved by the fan's ambition, they contributed to rehabilitate and (if possible) free Keiko. He was moved to ] in Oregon by flying in a UPS ] cargo plane. In Oregon, he was returned to health with the hopes of being able to return to the wild.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivyXuErx4DMC&q=keiko+reino+aventura+donated&pg=PT15|title=Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home|first=Linda Moore|last=Kurth|date=11 September 2017|publisher=Millbrook Press|access-date=11 September 2017|via=Google Books|isbn=9780761315001|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219150053/https://books.google.com/books?id=ivyXuErx4DMC&q=keiko+reino+aventura+donated&pg=PT15|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, Keiko was moved to Iceland via a ] to learn to live in the wild. After working with handlers, he was released from a sea pen in the summer of 2002 and swam to Norway following a pod of wild orcas.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8536000/8536184.stm|title=BBC - Earth News - Killer whales: What to do with captive orcas?|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816015401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8536000/8536184.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>


His subsequent return to humans for food and for company, and his inability to integrate with a pod of orcas confirms that the project had failed according to a scientific study published in the journal '']'' (July 2009).<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00287.x | volume=25 | issue=3 | title=From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale | journal=Marine Mammal Science | pages=693–705 | last1=Simon | first1=M. | year=2009 | url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=usdeptcommercepub | access-date=2019-07-06 | archive-date=2017-09-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922233029/http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=usdeptcommercepub | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> Keiko eventually died of pneumonia in a Norwegian bay on December 12, 2003. His subsequent return to humans for food and for company, and his inability to integrate with a pod of orcas confirms that the project had failed according to a scientific study published in the journal '']'' (July 2009).<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00287.x | volume=25 | issue=3 | title=From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale | journal=Marine Mammal Science | pages=693–705 | last1=Simon | first1=M. | year=2009 | bibcode=2009MMamS..25..693S | s2cid=13673341 | url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=usdeptcommercepub | access-date=July 6, 2019 | archive-date=September 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922233029/http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=usdeptcommercepub | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> Keiko eventually died of pneumonia exacerbated by a deformed fin in a Norwegian bay on December 12, 2003.


A decade later in 2013, a '']'' video reviewed Keiko's release into the wild.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winerip|first=Michael|title=Retro Report: The Whale Who Would Not Be Freed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/booming/the-whale-who-would-not-be-freed.html?src=recg|work=New York Times|access-date=17 September 2013|format=video (11:43)|date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611012359/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/booming/the-whale-who-would-not-be-freed.html?src=recg|url-status=live}}</ref> Reasons cited for Keiko's failure to adapt include his early age at capture, the long history of captivity, prolonged lack of contact with other orcas, and strong bonds with humans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/simon2009keiko.pdf|title=From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale|website=Orcanetwork.org|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=4 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020818/http://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/simon2009keiko.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A decade later in 2013, a '']'' video reviewed Keiko's release into the wild.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winerip|first=Michael|title=Retro Report: The Whale Who Would Not Be Freed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/booming/the-whale-who-would-not-be-freed.html?src=recg|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 17, 2013|format=video (11:43)|date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611012359/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/booming/the-whale-who-would-not-be-freed.html?src=recg|url-status=live}}</ref> Reasons cited for Keiko's failure to adapt include his early age at capture, the long history of captivity, prolonged lack of contact with other orcas, and strong bonds with humans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/simon2009keiko.pdf|title=From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale|website=Orcanetwork.org|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404020818/http://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/simon2009keiko.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
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* {{IMDb title|0106965|title=Free Willy}} * {{IMDb title|0106965|title=Free Willy}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|free_willy}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|free_willy}}
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Latest revision as of 05:56, 27 December 2024

1993 family drama film

Free Willy
An orca jumps over a jetty with a young boy giving out its signal to the orca. The film's tagline reads "A Friendship you could never imagine".Theatrical release poster
Directed bySimon Wincer
Screenplay by
Story byKeith A. Walker
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRobbie Greenberg
Edited byO. Nicholas Brown
Music byBasil Poledouris
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • July 16, 1993 (1993-07-16)
Running time112 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Netherlands
France
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million
Box office$153.7 million

Free Willy is a 1993 American family drama film, directed by Simon Wincer, produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures under their Family Entertainment imprint. The film stars Jason James Richter in his film debut, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg, and Michael Madsen with the eponymous character, Willy, played by Keiko.

The story is about a 12-year-old orphaned boy named Jesse who befriends a captive orca, Willy, at an ailing amusement park. When he discovers that the park owner has been planning to dispose of Willy, he hatches a scheme to break Willy out of captivity.

Released on July 16, 1993, the film received positive attention from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $153.7 million from a $20 million budget. It grew into a small franchise, including an animated television series, two sequels, and a direct-to-video reboot in addition to inspiring the rehabilitation and release of Keiko. The film marked Keith A. Walker's only film as screenwriter, and last project before his death in late December 1996.

Plot

On the Pacific Northwest coastline, a pod of orcas is tracked down by whalers. One of the orcas is captured and separated from his family and sold to the Northwest Adventure Park.

Months later in Portland, Jesse, an orphan abandoned by his estranged mother six years ago, fled from Cooperton with his fellow orphans and spends three days roaming the streets, begging for money and stealing food. To evade police in pursuit later that night, he and Perry break into the adventure park's observation area. While doing graffiti on the walls and its water tank, Jesse comes face to face with the orca before getting caught by the police. Dwight informs him that his new foster parents, Glen and Annie Greenwood, would be happy to take him in. Jesse, who hopes to be reunited with his mother, begrudgingly goes to live with them in Astoria.

To avoid being sent to juvenile hall if he flees again, Jesse is allowed to make up for his vandalism by cleaning and repainting the observation area. He forms a bond with the orca, named Willy, when he takes a liking to Jesse’s harmonica playing. With probation ending, and his job almost up, Jesse sneaks out of the house to visit Willy and falls in the tank. He nearly drowns but Willy saves and brings him to the surface. Randolph Johnson and Rae Lindley, Willy's respective Haida caretaker and trainer/veterinarian, notice that Jesse is the only human normally ill-tempered Willy responds to, and eventually, Jesse is offered a summer job. He also starts to warm up to the Greenwoods.

Park owner Dial sees Jesse and Willy's talent in hopes of finally making money from the orca, who has thus far been a costly venture for him. On opening day, however, he refuses to perform due to being antagonized. Jesse, unable to get him to do tricks while dealing with pressure from spectators, tearfully storms off and plans to find his mother. Willy cracks the tank with his stress-induced rage, having had enough of the children's constant banging. Jesse sneaks out to stop by the tank to say goodbye to Willy. Before leaving, something responds to Willy's calling again. Jesse follows the responses and realizes Willy is communicating with his pod. The discovery is interrupted when park manager Wade and some colleagues sneak into the observation area to deliberately damage the spot where Willy smashed the tank so that the water will leak out.

Randolph explains to Jesse that Dial plans to kill Willy and collect the million-dollar insurance. Jesse hatches a plan to return him to the ocean, with Randolph and Rae joining in. They use a forklift to transport Willy from tank to Glen's pickup truck Jesse and Randolph stole. Dial launches a search when he is informed by Wade about Willy. When the truck gets stuck in the mud, Jesse uses the truck’s CB radio to call Glen and Annie for help. Both of them arrive and Glen is reluctant to assist but relents when Jesse pleads with him. After a brief stop at a car wash to wet Willy more, Glen drives the truck to Dawson’s Marina, where Dial, Wade, and their men have assembled at the gates to halt them. Glen's truck smashes through the gate and backs Willy into the water.

After a struggle with Dial's men and Wade, Willy manages to swim away, but two of Dial's whaling ships seal off the marina. Jesse runs toward the breakwater and encourages Willy to follow him and jump over. On the breakwater, Jesse recites a Haida prayer Randolph had taught him through the story of Natsilane, before giving Willy the signal to jump. Willy makes the jump over and lands in the ocean on the other side, free to return to his pod, while a dismayed Dial and Wade can only watch. Jesse thanks and hugs Glen and Annie as Willy calls out to him in the distance.

Cast

  • Jason James Richter as Jesse, a 12-year-old orphan
  • Lori Petty as Rae Lindley, Northwest Adventure Park trainer, Willy's veterinarian and aspiring marine biologist
  • Jayne Atkinson as Annie Greenwood, a teacher, Jesse's foster mom and Glen's wife
  • August Schellenberg as Randolph Johnson, Willy's Haida caretaker
  • Michael Madsen as Glen Greenwood, Greenwood Auto Repairs founder and owner, Jesse's foster dad and Annie's husband
  • Michael Ironside as Dial, the greedy owner of Northwest Adventure Park
  • Richard Riehle as Wade, Northwest Adventure Park general manager
  • Mykelti Williamson as Dwight Mercer, Jesse's social worker
  • Michael Bacall as Perry, a runaway orphan who also hangs with other street kids and works alongside a criminal
  • Danielle Harris as Gwenie, a runaway orphan
  • Isaiah Malone as Vector, a runaway orphan
  • Tom Lasswell as Brody, a truck stop employee who reveals to the Greenwoods that he saw Glen's stolen pickup carrying Willy
  • Keiko as Willy, a captive 12-year-old orca whom Jesse befriends

Then-Astoria mayor Willis Van Dusen made a cameo appearance as a fish vendor. Jim Michaels was the announcer for the Northwest Adventure Park's aquatic theater. Additionally, Moultrie Patten and Ed Murphy play two homeless men at the car wash station where the former makes a compliment to Randolph after seeing Willy getting sprayed. Debi Derryberry was a stunt double for Jason James Richter in some scenes including Willy saving Jesse.

Production

Writing

The project first originated in 1984 when Keith A. Walker conceived of the story while working on The Goonies with the film's director Richard Donner, who would eventually serve as one of the executive producers for Free Willy. In the original script, the character of Jesse was a mute 10-year-old boy living with nuns. Donner and his wife, producer Lauren Schuler Donner, hired screenwriter Corey Blechman to update the script and to make it less sentimental, including making Jesse older and into a street tough-type.

Filming

Filmmakers searched throughout the U.S., Japan, France, Spain, and Argentina for an orca to portray Willy before settling on Keiko, a twelve-year-old orca that had been residing at Reino Aventura amusement park in Mexico City since 1985. The production team was able to film Keiko in the park while it underwent renovations from May and June 1992. A wooden backdrop was used to make the Reino Aventura aquatic arena appear as if it was located in the Pacific Northwest. Once filming concluded in Mexico City, production moved to Oregon and Washington for location shooting. Oregon locations featured in the film include Ecola State Park, Oregon Convention Center, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Morrison Bridge, 14th Street Pier, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Burnside Skatepark and Oaks Amusement Park. The climactic jump scene takes place at the Hammond Marina in Warrenton where a rocket launcher was used to shoot the Willy animatronic out of the shoot. The final scene along with the opening (16 shots) and end credits (27 shots) orca wildlife montages were shot by Bob Talbot.

Most close-up shots involving limited movement by Willy, such as when he is in the trailer and the sequences involving him swimming in the open water, make use of an animatronic stand-in. Walt Conti, who supervised the effects for the orcas, estimated that half of the shots of the orca used animatronic stand-ins. Conti stated that the smaller movements of a real orca actually made things difficult in some ways for him and his crew; they had to concentrate on smaller nuances in order to make the character seem alive. The most extensive use of CGI in the film is the climax where Willy jumps over Jesse and into the wild. All stunts with Keiko were performed by the young orca trainer Justin Sherbert (known additionally by his stage name, Justin Sherman).

Principal photography took place from May 18 to August 17, 1992.

Release

Box office performance

The film was released alongside Hocus Pocus and Benefit of the Doubt on July 16, 1993, and grossed $7,868,829 domestically in its opening weekend. It went on to make $76 million in its foreign release and $11,181 from the 2021 re-release in some domestic markets, bringing the film's gross to $153,709,806. Upon its initial release, Free Willy ranked number 5 behind Hocus Pocus plus holdovers from Jurassic Park, In the Line of Fire and The Firm at the box office before moving to number 4 by the following weekend and it stayed there for two more weeks. Afterward, its rank in the box office began to gradually decline, with the exception of a three-day weekend (September 3 to 6), in which gross revenue increased by 33.6%.

Critical response

The film has received positive reviews from critics. The Rotten Tomatoes website reported that 71% of critics have given the film a fresh rating based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Free Willy tugs at the heartstrings skillfully enough to leap above the rising tide of sentimentality that threatens to drown its formulaic family-friendly story". The film on Metacritic has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews" from 14 reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

Accolades

Award Date Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Youth in Film Awards February 5, 1994 Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture: Drama Jason James Richter Won
Outstanding Family Motion Picture: Drama Free Willy Won
Kids' Choice Awards May 7, 1994 Favorite Film Free Willy Nominated
Favorite Movie Actress Lori Petty Nominated
MTV Movie Awards June 4, 1994 Breakthrough Performance Jason James Richter Nominated
Best Kiss Jason James Richter and Willy Nominated
Best Song From a Movie "Will You Be There" by Michael Jackson Won
BMI Film & TV Awards 1994 BMI Film Music Basil Poledouris Won
Environmental Media Awards 1994 Feature Film Free Willy Won
Genesis Awards 1994 Feature Film Free Willy Won
Golden Screen Awards 1994 Golden Screen Free Willy Won
Notes:

Home media

Free Willy sold almost 9 million units on videocassette following its release in December 11, 1993. The original VHS, 10th Anniversary DVD, and Blu-ray releases also had a music video of the Michael Jackson song, "Will You Be There".

Soundtrack

Free Willy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by various artists
Released1993 (1993)
Length59:26
Label
Producer
  • Joel Sill
  • Gary LeMel
  • Jerry Greenberg
Singles from Free Willy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  1. "Will You Be There"
    Released: June 28, 1993
  2. "Right Here (Human Nature Remix)"
    Released: July 10, 1993
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The Free Willy film soundtrack was released on July 13, 1993, on CD and audio cassette by MJJ Music and LaFace Records in association with the Epic Records sub-label Epic Soundtrax. It contained all the songs that were featured in the film. Michael Jackson wrote, produced and performed "Will You Be There", taken from his 1991 album Dangerous, which can be heard during the end credits (without the orchestral prelude and interlude). The single version, under the title "Will You Be There (Reprise)", is also included. The song went on to become a top 10 hit in the Billboard Hot 100 charts and was certified platinum as well as winning the 1994 MTV Movie Award for Best Song from a Movie. A remix of SWV's 1992 song "Right Here", which contained a sample of Jackson's "Human Nature", became the group's highest charted single to date and the second biggest hit off the soundtrack when it also landed in the Hot 100 chart at No. 2. New Kids on the Block recorded their first song since they briefly changed their name to NKOTB.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Will You Be There (Theme from Free Willy)"Michael JacksonMichael Jackson5:53
2."Keep on Smilin'"NKOTB4:36
3."Didn't Mean to Hurt You"3T5:47
4."Right Here" (Human Nature Remix)SWV3:50
5."How Can You Leave Me Now"Paul FrazierFunky Poets5:43
6."Main Title" Basil Poledouris5:07
7."Connection" Basil Poledouris1:44
8."The Gifts" Basil Poledouris5:19
9."Friends Montage" Basil Poledouris3:40
10."Auditon" Basil Poledouris2:04
11."Farewell Suite
  • a. "Jesse Says Goodbye" – 3:37
  • b. "Let's Free Willy!" – 3:35
  • c. "Return to Freedom" – 4:49"
 Basil Poledouris12:01
12."Will You Be There" (Reprise)Michael JacksonMichael Jackson3:42
Total length:59:26

Keiko

Main article: Keiko (orca)

The aquatic star of the film was an orca named Keiko. The huge national and international success of this film inspired a letter writing campaign to get Keiko released from his captivity as an attraction in the amusement park Reino Aventura in Mexico City; this movement was called "Free Keiko". Warner Bros. was so grateful for the whale, and so moved by the fans' ambition, they contributed to rehabilitate and (if possible) free Keiko. He was moved to The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Oregon by flying in a UPS C-130 cargo plane. In Oregon, he was returned to health with the hopes of being able to return to the wild. In 1998, Keiko was moved to Iceland via a US Air Force C-17 to learn to live in the wild. After working with handlers, he was released from a sea pen in the summer of 2002 and swam to Norway following a pod of wild orcas.

His subsequent return to humans for food and for company, and his inability to integrate with a pod of orcas confirms that the project had failed according to a scientific study published in the journal Marine Mammal Science (July 2009). Keiko eventually died of pneumonia exacerbated by a deformed fin in a Norwegian bay on December 12, 2003.

A decade later in 2013, a New York Times video reviewed Keiko's release into the wild. Reasons cited for Keiko's failure to adapt include his early age at capture, the long history of captivity, prolonged lack of contact with other orcas, and strong bonds with humans.

See also

References

  1. "Free Willy". The Numbers. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Free Willy". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Thompson, Anne (July 30, 1993). "Free Willy: Sleeper hit". EW.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Free Willy (1993)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. Rickitt, Richard (2006). Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the Scenes With the Movie Masters. Focal Press. pp. 161–65. ISBN 978-0-240-80846-8.
  6. ^ "Free Willy (1993)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  7. "Free Willy Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  8. "Home". CinemaScore. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  9. "15th Annual Youth In Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  10. "It's time for Kids' choice T.V. awards". Associated Press. April 27, 1994. Retrieved July 8, 2023 – via The Victoria Advocate.
  11. "1994 Movie Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. "BMI Gives Awards for Television, Music". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 22. May 28, 1994. p. 72. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. "EMA Awards - Past Recipients and Honorees". Environmental Media Association. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. "Genesis Awards go to 'Free Willy,' TV shows". UPI. March 2, 1994. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  15. "WB pushes 'Willy 2' vid". Variety. September 4, 1995. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  16. "Top Video Sales For Week Ending December 11, 1993" (PDF). Billboard. December 11, 1993. p. 121. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  17. "Free Willy - Original Soundtrack - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  18. "'Willy' music launches MJJ/Epic". Variety. June 10, 1993. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  19. Young, Sage (August 24, 2016). "What The Whale From 'Free Willy' Taught Us About Orcas, Long Before 'Blackfish' Hit Theaters". Bustle. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  20. Kurth, Linda Moore (September 11, 2017). Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home. Millbrook Press. ISBN 9780761315001. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2017 – via Google Books.
  21. ^ "Killer whales: What to do with captive orcas?". BBC News. February 25, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  22. Simon, M. (2009). "From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale". Marine Mammal Science. 25 (3): 693–705. Bibcode:2009MMamS..25..693S. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00287.x. S2CID 13673341. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  23. Winerip, Michael (September 16, 2013). "Retro Report: The Whale Who Would Not Be Freed" (video (11:43)). The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  24. "From captivity to the wild and back: An attempt to release Keiko the killer whale" (PDF). Orcanetwork.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2018.

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