Flight of the Doves

Although the film at times feels like an over cooked tourist ad it would be unfair to overlook some fine moments.Ron Moody shows off all of his remarkable skills in a series of ham characters,while Jack Wild is better than usual as Finn.I have just seen this film not having watched it since the seventies and I really liked Tom Hickey as Garda Flynn.The film is well worth a look and kids would immediately empathize with the two runaways.It also features a Synagogue which is a rarity in an Irish based movie.The narrative is a standard fugitive adventure and no more with plenty of twists and turns but some of the set pieces are poor,such as the dire parade and the cringe-worthy scene outside the church when the tour bus pulls in.Noetheless,Moody as Hawk keeps the tension alive throughout.

This British-made film cast from the Disney mold has a brother(Jack Wild) and younger sister fleeing their loutish stepfather in England to find their grandmother in Ireland. Along the journey they are assisted by a motley assortment of colorful characters, and are pursued by a menacing relative(an uncle, if I remember)who believes their appearance will deprive him of an inheiritance. The uncle, played by Ron Moody, affects a series of disguises to trick the kids, but always gets the shaft. A beautiful soundtrack score enhances the film. Not readily available, so catch it if you can on television.

I didn't grow up with this movie. As can be seen by the reviews here, many people did, and have very fond memories of it. This is a typical 1970s children's movie, made on the cheap, with bright colors, over-acting, greedy adult villains, cartoon-like bits, hippies, children in peril, really bad wigs and silly dialogue. I can see how children now would still love this, with the sweet and incredibly charming Jack Wild (my first crush - I would have lost my mind had I seen this as a kid - although his wig is horrible) and the adorable girl that plays his little sister and the happy ending. As for me, an adult, seeing it the first time: it's nice to see the Irish countryside in the 1970s. I've seen some reviewers say it's full of offensive stereotypes - it is a CHILDREN'S MOVIE and the characters are bigger than life and completely unrealistic, just like most kids' movies NOW. But the reality is that the only way you'll really like this movie now is if you grew up with it - which I didn't. One moment I did really love: the parade, with the song you don't have to be Irish to be Irish, which celebrates the diversity of immigrants who have contributed to the culture of the isle for a long while - it was refreshing to see in 2021. And it was nice to see Dorothy McGuire having fun.

i, like some other reviewers just cant seem to get this movie out of my head. i woke up and googled it and to my surprise there it was. it has been at least 30 years since i have seen it(only once) and if i close my eyes i can still see the trailer from the movie theater in which 2001 a space odyssey was playing. i have nothing but fond memories of the movie and can still see jack wild (and wasn't mark lester in the movie also?) running around castles on the shores of ireland evading there step dad. i remember jack wilds character biting his step dad on his wrist to get away. did i remember that correctly? i am going on line to see if it is available so i can buy it for my daughter.

I first saw this film when I was about 5 or 6 on tv,and it stuck in my mind.Sadly I never got to see it again until 3 years ago when sky tv showed it.It was just as good as I had remembered it.What I really like about it is its not a silly kids film, it is sensible yet still has a little comedy element to it.It is about two orphans who run away from their cruel step dad.They run away to Ireland to try to find their grandma.Also coming after them is their uncle Hawk who wants to kill them, so that there grandfathers inheritance will pass to him.

I can't praise this film enough, the acting is superb and the soundtrack is also brilliant.It really is an underated cinema gem in my opinion.It has to be one of my all time film favourites.Please see if you can.