I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

2015 "Big Bird guided you through childhood. Let Caroll take you the rest of the way."
7.5| 1h30m| en| More Info
Released: 06 May 2015 Released
Producted By: Kaleidoscope Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

A documentary about Caroll Spinney who has been Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since 1969. At 78-years-old, he has no intention of stopping.

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Reviews

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews
Abbigail Bush what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
JohnnyLee1 Over-sentimental. The shmaltzy background music is loud, obtrusive and ceaseless. Pity because even though I never watched Sesame Street I love some aspects of fantasy and as a former teacher I am interested in the educational side of the TV program. This doco is for fans of Sesame Street only because as a stand-alone documentary it doesn't make it. You won't see much actual footage from the show however. I could only watch until the second tour to China. Makes me want to find out more about Jim Henson actually. I hope Caroll and his wife got to tick Paul McCartney off their bucket list!
meeza Open Sesame cause you Spinney me round round, baby round round in a BIG way. I am referring to Carroll Spinney, the master puppeteer who has longtime played the infamous Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. "I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story" is a masterful documentary that takes a look at Spinney's life; from his almost fifty years playing Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch, his rough childhood, his near losses of life, his friendship with his legendary late boss Jim Henson, to his beautiful longstanding relationship with his wife Debbie. But it's his love passion for the Big Bird that highlights this touching documentary. Directors Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker direct the movie with a layered auteur touch. My letter of the day for "I am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story" is a big "A". ***** Excellent
MartinHafer This film is all about the life and work of Carroll Spinney, the puppeteer responsible for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from "Sesame Street". Unlike many of the other Muppet folks, Spinney generally did not do other characters (like on "The Muppet Show") and a major portion of the documentary is about the life and history of Big Bird. It's all very interesting and touching--especially if you grew up with these characters. It's also depressing, as the film also talks about the untimely death of Jim Henson--and I challenge any Muppet fan to watch this with dry eyes. Because of that, at times, the film is a bit depressing to watch...which isn't a problem unless you are already depressed. By the way, this film is NOT captioned...which really sucks as my youngest wasn't able to enjoy the film unless I sat there translating it into sign language.
Larry Silverstein This documentary weaves a fascinating story and is filled with warmth, humor, some tragedy, and a real sense of genuineness. It focuses on the life and career of Caroll Spinney, who for over 40 years, has been the man in the giant feathered yellow costume of the iconic character Big Bird. Surprisingly, at least to me, Spinney is also the muppeteer who is behind the wonderful presence of Oscar the Grouch, on Sesame Street of course.The film traces Spinney's life back to his difficult early years, how he, by chance, met the late Jim Henson at a puppet festival and was hired for the show. Spinney really struggled at first and nearly quit, but got the idea of making Big Bird's character child-like and it was perfect for its presentation. There's lots of behind-the-scenes insights into the Sesame Street shows and the cast as well.All in all, I enjoyed this documentary, directed by Lave LaMattina and Chad N. Walker, from start to finish, and thought it was one of the better ones I've seen in a while.