The Blue Bird (2008): cast, story & where to watch
2008 · Film · ★ 5.4
Released in 2008, The Blue Bird is a drama and family film directed by Kenji Nakanishi, running about 105 minutes.
What it’s about. Higashigaoka Junior High School is in turmoil as one of the pupils, Noguchi, who had been bullied, attempted suicide last term. On the first day of the new term, a substitute teacher arrives to take the second year class. When the teacher, Murauchi (Hiroshi Abe), introduces himself, the pupils are surprised by his stutter. He has a speech impediment. Unable to speak eloquently, Murauchi faces his pupils with ‘words of truth’. His first instruction to the pupils is to return Noguchi’s desk and chair to the original place in the classroom. Every morning Murauchi greets the empty desk, “Good morning, Noguchi.” This causes a ripple beyond the classroom and among other teachers and parents, but Murauchi will not stop doing it. Eventually the day comes when Murauchi must leave.
Who’s in it. The Blue Bird stars Hiroshi Abe as Mr. Murachi, Kanata Hongo as Shinichi Sonobe, Ayumi Ito as Ms. Shimazaki and Hajime Inoue as Mr. Ishino, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.4/10, The Blue Bird has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Blue Bird page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Blue Bird tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Blue Bird (2008)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Blue Bird change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Blue Bird worth watching?
- The Blue Bird holds an audience score of 5.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Blue Bird?
- The Blue Bird stars Hiroshi Abe, Kanata Hongo, Ayumi Ito, Hajime Inoue and Osamu Shigematu.
- When was The Blue Bird released?
- The Blue Bird was released in 2008, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.