I Am David Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Believe in the power to change your destiny
In 1952, the polyglot twelve year-old David, who was raised in the Communist Belene Prison Camp in Bulgaria, witnesses the death of his friend and protector Johannes and escapes from the concentration camp in the night. He is advised to mistrust everybody and together with a piece of bread, a compass, a piece of soap, a jackknife and a sealed envelope to be delivered in Denmark, he travels though Greece and Italy heading North. Along his journey, David discovers the beauty of the world and slowly he changes his behavior with people. When he meets Sophie, an old lady that lives in Switzerland and likes to paint as hobby, she asks David to paint his face; later she invites David to have lunch with her in her house, and David finally discloses his quest to her.
| Ben Tibber | David |
| James Caviezel | Johannes |
| Joan Plowright | Sophie |
| Hristo Shopov | The Man |
| Silvia De Santis | Elsa |
| Paco Reconti | Giovanni |
| Roberto Attias | Baker |
| Francesco De Vito | Roberto |
| Lucy Russell | American Woman |
| Maria Bonnevie | David's Mother |
| Viola Carinci | Maria |
| Marin Jivkov | Cecha |
| Robert Syulev | Angelo |
| Alessandro Sperduti | Carlo |
7.10 out of 10 (2387 votes)
Visitor Reviews
simple but touching
posted on 13 Jul 2009in the first watch, i thought the same thing that the boy is without food and tiredness and keep moving, that's probably the weakness of the movie... but from the second shot, i've noticed that there's food given by the guard in the bundle. And if you are in real horror, u may possibly forget about the hungry and tiredness.I think the young boy did an excellent action in the movie, especially the expression in his eyes, usually more expressive than words. A simple story but reflect one thing... keep struggling and we can change the thing
I appreciated the ambition of this film, but it just did not work
posted on 11 Jul 2009When I sat down to watch "I Am David", I was not expecting something monumental. I was not expecting an extraordinary experience even though one tends to when relating to films of this genre and category. "I Am David" is an independent film by Paul Freig about a young boy (Ben Tibber) who escapes from a Stalinist prison camp and makes a long journey to Denmark for freedom and reunification with someone both he and us are totally uninformed about until the last few moments of the picture and when it does come about, the question we ask is: why did they wait this long to inform us? Why did they waste so much time with all of the stuff we didn't care about? "I Am David" is a letdown of the most disappointing level. And by that I mean, I almost hate myself for having to pan this film. The movie has very, very good intentions and yes, it does have a few tender moments that unfortunately wrap up after a matter of seconds. But still, even at a short length of ninety minutes, "I Am David" is really nothing more than a session of ennui.The fault of this movie goes to the screenplay, which was also written by director Paul Freig. When it comes to tearjerkers, which is what this film was meant to be, an intelligent screenplay is absolutely imperative. It's a given. You need a strong story and good characters otherwise you are left with nothing to hold your interest. And "I Am David" has none of that. The story is absolutely flimsy with twelve-year-old David wandering about the countryside, meeting far too many people, staring at things which do not hold our interest as well as his', and mingles with these rather dull flashbacks that are intended to show the real horror of the evil of that days of Stalin's rule. David encounters a great many people and these just prove to be scenes that go into and out of nowhere. I counted at least three long parts to this film that could have either been reworked or excised.But what's worse of all is that little David is almost entirely on the screen and we never, not even once, sympathize or identify with him. David is well-played by Tibber, so the young actor is not to blame. It's the screenplay that is owed the blame. We never come to understand this tragic kid, he's less confused than we are, we don't relate to him, we don't even come to like him because he's such a flat, dull character. When you've got a film that focuses entirely upon one single character, you need to have a strong figure of a human being to begin with. Take for example, James Stewart's character in "Vertigo" (1958), where the film follows his struggles and experiences almost entirely throughout the course of the film, and we come to understand him, sympathize with him, pity him, and relate to him because he's such a well-realized three-dimensional character that we forget we're looking at Jimmy Stewart and not an actual living person with actual problems. Now David in "I Am David" most certainly has problems, but we still don't come to terms with him. And as for the supporting cast, which comes and goes regularly, never leaves any impact during or after their stay.Ultimately, as good as the intentions of Paul Freig were, "I Am David" does not strike with the impact that it was undoubtedly intended to. I appreciated the ambition of this movie very much, for it is tackling a serious subject, but it just does not work because of a rather flimsy story. And again, with such a serious subject as the reign of Stalin and the people who suffered, without a strong story, there is no hope.
From Death to Life
posted on 03 Jul 2009David is a young boy of 12. He has been held prisoner in a Bulgarian Prison camp since being forcibly separated from his parents at age four or five. David has become an automaton, the only hope in his life, a fellow prisoner played beautifully by Jim Cavielzel. The days in the prison camp are monotonous and gray. David's days are filled with fear. He never smiles.We follow David on his journey from hopelessness to freedom of his body and his soul. This is a beautiful movie.
well
posted on 15 Jun 2009I have never seen the movie but i read the book.after wards i read the plot summary and i believe that the book speaks about a Nazi camp,and that David is a Jewish boy.but i need to read it again to be certain.i only read it 7 times and it was between the ages of 10-14.now i m 16 and i still adore that book.i will send my regards to Anne Holm later.she's a genius.i cry every time i read it.touching.well,i really enjoyed that book.i have to say that sometimes i feel like the book changes,and i notice that i didn't notice certain details in the story when i read it before and i notice them while i m reading.it's amazing how a book can be so interesting that it can make you lay on your bed for hours till the lit dawn and read it with such fascination,i have never had it with other books except of the "desperation" of Steven king-which was absolutely splendid.i wonder whether Anne Holm wrote any other books.i would like to know which books just to check them out,assuming that they must be outstanding as this one was is and will be for eternity.it sounds like i m overrating maybe,but i feel like not.it is the deepest and honest truth of my opinion about this marvelous book.it's short but yet long.well done.
WWII survival story with some tender, memorable moments...
posted on 26 May 2009The last portion of this film, with tender scenes between JOAN PLOWBRIGHT and BEN TIBBER, reminds me of a similar survival theme from '48's THE SEARCH, where the boy has to learn to trust adults again after brutal wartime separation from his mother. Ben Tibber's sensitive portrait of the boy and Joan Plowbright's equally moving portrayal of the motherly artist who takes him in, are the best things about I AM David.Before that, the story plods along at the beginning with a labor camp sequence where the boy is being given instructions by a man on how to escape and deliver a certain document to Denmark. Flashbacks during the course of the film fill us in on the harrowing events in the labor camp that led to the boy's desire to escape. His friend, Johannes (JAMES CAVIEZEL), it turns out, is a brave man who sacrifices his life for the boy, David.David keeps one step ahead of the authorities as he manages to escape, survives with what little money he has, rescues a young girl from playmates who tied her up in a burning barn and ends up for awhile enjoying family life in the Italian countryside. But all the while, he's hearing the warning voice of a man telling him: "Don't trust anyone." And he doesn't.He's not even sure of Sophie (JOAN PLOWBRIGHT) who takes him under her wing, a good-hearted woman whose young son died and assumes a motherly relationship with David. Their scenes together in the countryside are the most touching and believable moments in the whole story and lead towards a happy ending for the boy, who is reunited with his mother for the rather abrupt finale. The film's biggest assets are the natural performance of BEN TIBBER in the central role and the gorgeous color photography in natural outdoor settings.
An excellent small budget feature.
posted on 28 Apr 2009We got hold of a copy of this film by accident, its not well-known in the UK. As adaptations go its not the best or the worst. However as an allegorical tale depicting real life history its an excellent introduction for young people. The young man Ben Tibber who plays David, depicts the stoicism of the young in adversity with a dignity and maturity that belies his age at the time of filming. His eyes are unique, as seen in the pivotal look between David and Johannes (Jim Caviezel). What darkness, and then what joy when he learns how to trust.A good family film or chick flick I look forward to seeing more from Ben Tibber and Paul Feig who so adroitly handled this sensitive issue.Finally make sure you have your tissues ready, the story when combined with the music is a serious tear jerker.
Wow
posted on 13 Feb 2009I had never heard of this movie, but I'm glad that I decided to watch it. I think that it really changed some of my outlook on life. There were a few strange things about it, like how David randomly speaks other languages, but serious... that's just a minor detail. I've told a lot of my friends about this movie, because I think that it covers an important topic. No one really ever hears about Communist concentration camps, not as much as we should know. Thus, I think that the wonderful plot of the movie and the information given is all important, and fascinating. I cried a lot during this movie, just because it was so good. I highly suggest this movie, highly!
Surprisingly well adapted... as moving as the novel.
posted on 16 Jan 2009I have read Anne Holm's I am David dozens of times since I first stumbled upon it as a 12 year old. It has been one of those novels that have remained with me, not just the pages, not just the story, but the way it has moved me and guided many of my decisions in life. I personally empathised with David, having been an abused child and when at 13 I became a state ward, the impossibility of trusting others to care for me were mirrored in David's own situation. This just to demonstrate how significant this work has been in my own development and connected I am with David's story.When I heard there was a film made of this story, I was suspicious that it could not hope to reach the depths of the novel, particularly as one of the fundamental points of the novel had been changed and primarily because much of the 'action' in the novel occurs inside David's mind.The film is significantly different to the novel in a few key details and yet it has managed to capture the essential soul of the novel, something I applaud and profoundly appreciate. Whilst the means of achieving the result is different, I was still left, as I always am when I read the story, with a deep sense of truth and love winning out over darkness and hatred. I was moved to tears once again and for all the same reasons and for that I would just like to say thank you to those involved.I could not recommend this novel or film more deeply, particularly to those who's lives have been controlled by others who don't have their best interests at heart and who feel unable to regain control themselves. This above all things is a tribute to the ability of one who has no control and no idea how to gain control of their own lives succeeding in just that, without use of force, without manipulation or dishonesty, but simply with conviction that the goal must be achieved for whatever reason, because to not achieve it is to invite death and darkness upon yourself and upon all you touch in your life.
A Magnificent Journey to the Goodness of People
posted on 03 Dec 2008In 1952, the polyglot twelve year-old David (Ben Tibber), who was raised in the Communist Belene Prison Camp in Bulgaria, witnesses the death of his friend and protector Johannes (Jim Caviezel) and escapes from the concentration camp in the night. He is advised to mistrust everybody and together with a piece of bread, a compass, a piece of soap, a jackknife and a sealed envelope to be delivered in Denmark, he travels though Greece and Italy heading North. Along his journey, David discovers the beauty of the world and slowly he changes his behavior with people. When he meets Sophie (Joan Plowright), an old lady that lives in Switzerland and likes to paint as hobby, she asks David to paint his face; later she invites David to have lunch with her in her house, and David finally discloses his quest to her."I Am David" is a magnificent journey to the goodness of people. The expressive Ben Tibber has a stunning performance in the role of the boy David, who was raised confined in a concentration camp and surrounded by cruelties, that begins to smile and trust people along his travel through Europe. It is amazing how this young actor is able to transmit these sensations and emotions through his face and eyes. Joan Plowright performs a wise old woman that teaches David that most of the people are good and opens his heart. The direction, performances, cinematography, locations, pace, message etc., everything works perfectly in this great movie. Last but not the least, the conclusion is heartbreaking. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): Not Available
I loved the ending!!! SPOILERS************
posted on 09 Nov 2008SPOILERS******************** I don't know what people wanted. . . . a teary, dramatic, symphonic reunion between David and his mother? On, that would have been underwhelming. It was a perfect ending. It wasn't rushed. It was subtle, intense without being super-sentimental, understated, but profound. The music Cold Water by Damien Rice was perfect. Did you listen to it? The emotion of Damien Rice's voice layered perfectly what we saw on the screen. I thought this was a brilliant move by the director. We don't need to be beaten over the head by a drama. The fact that there were no words by either member of the cast made it all the more effective. We saw their faces, and after all a picture is worth a thousand words.In addition it was wonderful seeing the amazing Hristo Shopov in this wonderful role as The Man, plus the additional treat of Jim Caviezel and Joan Plowright.
moving and provocative
posted on 05 Nov 2008I had an opportunity to see this movie at the National Conference for Social Studies. I was disinclined at first, having heard the heavy plot and haiving lived in East Europe for a year i know how dark their stories can be. But I was very pleasantly surprised with this film. Having taken several film classes and read many books on film, I can assure you the technical aspects of this film are very well done. My only complaint would be how the ending is somewhat quick and episodic. The acting is superb and music very fitting. There is an almost surreal look to the film, as this young boy escapes from a prison world of greys and sobs unto a color-soaked tapestry of smiles and life.I will definitely use this film in my classroom to teach my students about postwar history and more importantly how lucky they are to live with freedom.
must see movie for people of all ages
posted on 30 Oct 2008i want so much to comment on this excellent film, but must carefully choose words because half of the fun was seeing this movie for the first time and knowing absolutely nothing about it! i had wanted to see it because Jim Caviezel was in it, and it had been in my netflix queue for over 2 years and was always checked out by someone else. then low and behold, it started appearing last week on the Dish Satellite and i have watched it several times. suffice it to say, it has such a powerful message of love and hope and forgiveness and redemption. the acting is superb, the editing excellent!! i have not read the book, but would certainly love to one day to see if there are any details left out that i would want to know. this is a must see movie for people of all ages!
A cleverly told tale
posted on 04 Oct 2008The elements of style that went into this movie are incredible: the music, the cinematography (which was gorgeous), and of course the acting. This story is uplifting, comedic, dramatic, and inspiring all at the same time. It is definitely not a story one would expect to see on screen, but it is a pleasure to the senses.
Enjoyable tale of a boy escaping from Bulgaria and traveling to Denmark.
posted on 20 Sep 2008As the opening credits explain, after the war ended in 1945 some countries continued to repress those who were different, and we are introduced to David, a 12 year old boy without parents living in a forced labor camp in Bulgaria. For a reason we aren't told, the boy is instructed to escape by climbing over the electrified fence during a 30 second period when the power is turned off. We aren't told why they do this. But we learn that the boy, equipped with knife and compass he is instructed to find by a log after he escapes, is to carry a sealed envelope to Denmark.Young Brit Ben Tibber is David in 1952. This movie follows his journey from the labor camp towards Denmark. Will he make it? If he does, what is in the envelope and what will he find there?James Caviezel is Johannes, one of the adults in he camp. It is a small role that could have been played by any actor. More significant is Joan Plowright as Sophie, the older lady who lives in Switzerland and paints as a hobby. She befriends David and facilitates his crossing from Italy into Switzerland.To me this movie illustrates the difference between a fictional story (which this is) and a real story. In comparison the events in "I Am David" seem contrived and not realistic. The critic Ebert is not very kind to it. I enjoyed this movie, but it never quite seemed realistic.SPOILERS: Throughout the movie we see apparent flashbacks in David's mind, where he would see his real mother. When he gets to Denmark, and with his identification papers in the envelope, he is reunited with his mother. That is why he was told to travel there, by a Bulgarian official who took pity of David and wanted to see him get out of the labor camp.
Honestly, why?
posted on 06 Sep 2008This film, to start, destroys the book entirely. Instead of the philosophical things that David goes through in the book (finding God), instead he prays to St. Elizabeth. Once. (Don't worry, it's not important in the film) And also, every single place in the film looks exactly the same despite that little David goes to 5-7 countries. And somehow, (God knows why) David, despite obviously not being from Europe, has a snobby British accent. And he looks about five years old. Please, IMDb, PLEASE put this film in the Bottom 100. And if you haven't read the book, please do so. It'll make you think the film is much worse.
LOVED IT
posted on 30 Jun 2008I got to go see this movie in November. I CRIED!!! It was absolutely 100% AMAZING! Never ever EVER has a movie move me as much as I Am David. Ben Tibber, who played David, was astonishing. I had never seen a young actor who can play a role as believable and sincerely as Ben can. He is a complete natural. No one was meant to play that role but him. This boy is gonna be a STAR!!! Jim Caviezel was amazing in the movie. He always does a great job in just about every movie he's in. Paul Feig is a great writer & actor, and now just proved (if you haven't seen Freaks & Geeks) he is an AMAZING director. I highly recommend this movie! This movie will change the way you look at life forever!!!
fits exactly into the skeleton of film making...
posted on 29 May 2008I Am David is an intriguing tale of a young boy escaping from a concentration camp and going on a long journey towards north– Denmark's to be precise. For the major part of the movie it's the escape that is the highlight along with the flashbacks of the concentration camps.The second plot point of the movie is a very important one and a real blinder. It makes the movie special in its own way. Dialogues could have been better but screenplay and the editing of the film is spot on.I saw this movie at the MAMI international festival and tell you what– worth watching a few times. Hopefully after some years we'll be able to see such kinds of films from Indian Directors. 9/10 for this movie.
A pleasant surprise (Happy 2007, IMDb!)
posted on 25 May 2008My first comment of the new 2007 year, first off Happy New Year to IMDb users! Hope your new year is a good one, let's keep the movie comments rocking! I watched I Am David last night and this was a movie that I had no clue what it was about and the cover didn't look that interesting, but my friend who works at Hollywood Video recommended it and said that it was a good movie. So I figured that I would give it a shot, after all, what did I have to loose like I always say? I Am David is about a 12 year old boy, David, who has been separated from his family from the communist camps and he escapes. He has been given a survival tool kit and has been constantly told to not trust anyone. He goes on this huge journey not sure where he will go, but he meets people along the way having vivid and horrific flash backs to his friend who gave his life so that David could live. He meets an elderly woman who finally proves that there are decent people in the world and helps him discover the greatest struggle of his life.I Am David is an incredibly touching story about survival and doubt, the utter feeling of hopelessness, but the feeling of love being put back into your heart. The boy who played David was absolutely amazing and so perfect for the part, his face was so incredible, he became David and I really hope he has a good career if this movie was anything to go by. So I would recommend I Am David, it's a terrific film that I was really impressed with and I think you will too.9/10
I am David......A Beautiful Experience
posted on 23 Apr 2008There's not much I could add to all the great things said already about this little gem, except to say that I haven't been so satisfied with a film in a while. Costarring Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ), this tale about a boy on a quest to deliver an envelope in post-WWII Europe after escaping a concentration camp, is nothing short of brilliant, moving, and a feel good piece of work. The unknown actor as David conveys so much in his expressions or lack thereof, that you feel you know him in only the first few minutes of the movie. Joan Plowright is especially good as an artist who he meets along the way. If you want a start to your DVD collection, buy this. You'll want to watch this again and again!
Two Halves
posted on 16 Aug 2009This is the sort of film that claims merit in allowing you to see a bad situation work out in tear-induced happiness. Its a sort of enigma why there is a market for these; I suppose we all carry unresolved injustices in our hearts and like to see the promise of them resolved. In getting this, we gloss over the mechanics. For instance this has gotten an award from some morality institute though you'd be hard pressed to find anything or character in it that is actually an exemplar.There's determination, and there's resolution, and somehow we superimpose admiration on the participants.The really fascinating thing about this is that it really is two films: a long first part, followed by a quite different second part.The first part follows a boy's escape. There actually is little to say other than this small bit, he escapes, and continues escaping.The second part finds him with Joan Plowright and takes us to the resolution.These two parts are from completely different cinematic worlds. It is true that many movies are remembered only for their ending and viewers will forgive all sorts of clunks in the journey if they recall the end fondly. But this first part clunks like old ball bearings in soup. There's one unnecessarily improbable escape after another. Each one adds nothing, except to underscore the difficulty of what our hero is doing. But that difficulty gets undermined at every turn. He never seems hungry, in pain, in the least uncomfortable. He always "gets away." None of the characters or places touch him in any way.It seems as if the writer is putting us through this long process for only one reason, so that we can get a large number of flashbacks, each one revealing a little more of what becomes the real story. I'm prepared for indirect narrative; its an amazingly effective tool that I study. Here, we sort out the sense of the thing as he does.But the container of this first part is so sickly sweet almost every viewer will give up, unless you live in a world of Sunday School cartoons.The second part is as competent as the first is incompetent. Here, we harvest all the information we have been given in the flashbacks. Plus we have a real actor involved instead of folks who believe beatified shining is acting.Here;s where we get three twists in the narrative, one large. And there's the hint that our boy is an illicit child, and the complications that brings. Its almost enough to make this watchable. But that first part puts us in a prison we cannot escape.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.