I Am David (2004)

38% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(7,042 ratings)

A young boy is sent on a remarkable odyssey as he flees a Communist prison camp in this historical drama, set in Eastern Europe in the early '50s. David (Ben Tibber) is a 12-year-old boy who was sentenced with his parents to a Bulgarian labor camp when they were found guilty of political… More A young boy is sent on a remarkable odyssey as he flees a Communist prison camp in this historical drama, set in Eastern Europe in the early '50s. David (Ben Tibber) is a 12-year-old boy who was sentenced with his parents to a Bulgarian labor camp when they were found guilty of political subversion; he hasn't seen his folks in years, and looks to fellow inmate Johannes (Jim Caviezel) for protection and guidance. One day, David is able to escape, and as he flees, he is given a sealed envelope with strict instructions that he is to travel to Denmark, and he cannot open the letter until he gets there. David makes his way to Greece, stows away on an Italian ship, and is befriended by Maria (Viola Carinci), a girl he saves from a fire. Maria convinces her wealthy family to take David in, but when they become curious about his background, David realizes he's in danger and is soon on the run once again. In time, David makes friends with Sophie (Joan Plowright), a kind Swiss woman who gives him a home and is willing to help him complete his long journey. I Am David was adapted from the novel North to Freedom by Anne Holm, and represented a change of pace for director Paul Feig, best known for his work on such offbeat television comedies as Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Directed By: Paul Feig
Written By: Paul Feig
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 3, 2004 Wide
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Clearly, huge tankers of disbelief must be suspended in a sea of goodwill to get into the spirit of the film.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
The film is marred by too many coincidences, but there are a couple of twists at the end that tug at the heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
It's not lack of a strong story that keeps I Am David from taking off. Blame a straightforward approach that makes the movie feel too much like an after-school special.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Feig's neorealist approach to the look of the film might work better if he didn't fill it with so many coincidences and melodramatic flourishes.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I know, I know, I'm supposed to get sentimental about this heart-warming tale. But I couldn't believe a moment of it, and never identified with little David.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Manipulative though it is, it doesn't generate much real emotion.
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
While some parents might wish the film had more emotional depth, they will probably appreciate the gentle humor. Then they can introduce their children to the book.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
Get out the Game Boy instead.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
It's like Tom Sawyer's Great Escape - a strange combination of stories that's interesting, but doesn't quite capture your emotions.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
It is not an especially brilliant film, nor does it execute its ideas with particular flair, and yet I cannot resist liking and being moved by it.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
A nice enough picture, but it's also slow and meandering. Watching it is like seeing a decent Family Channel movie, except in this case you have to pay for it.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While probably not suitable for the wee ones, older kids and most adults will love this exciting and heartfelt adventure of one boy's survival during the darkest days of post-war Europe.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
How David escapes, alas, is less compelling than wondering how this drearily earnest movie escaped the Hallmark Channel.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
While the material itself has promise (it's an adaptation of Anne Holm's best-selling novel), this drama fumbles and stumbles its way to a resolution that's far too easy.
, E! Online
It's refreshing to watch a movie aimed at young people that's actually grounded in reality.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

The story sounds interesting on paper and does succeed in grabbing your interest in the initial moments. But over-drama replaces action and adventure as the story unfolds. I've no problem with some emotional quotient, but the film goes completely overboard its genre and loses its… More
The story sounds interesting on paper and does succeed in grabbing your interest in the initial moments. But over-drama replaces action and adventure as the story unfolds. I've no problem with some emotional quotient, but the film goes completely overboard its genre and loses its track. The melodrama gave the feeling of "been there, seen it all", and not in a pleasant manner. Having said that, I'd like to add that unlike "Julia's Eyes", it didn't make my head spin as its after-effects either.
Jim H

This film's two strengths are the harrowing nature of its subject matter and the rather well-constructed reveal at the end. After all, the concept that a young boy was able to escape a Communist concentration camp and journey as far as he did is rather remarkable. But whereas… More
This film's two strengths are the harrowing nature of its subject matter and the rather well-constructed reveal at the end. After all, the concept that a young boy was able to escape a Communist concentration camp and journey as far as he did is rather remarkable. But whereas 127 Hours succeeded in at least reaching for a more expansive theme, I Am David can only retreat to shallow, aphoristic moralizing. Throughout the film, the writers give us benign supporting characters, whose intentions David constantly - but I guess understandably - misinterprets. The filmmakers scream at David throughout that people are basically good, and we're supposed to delight when he listens. Such themes may be inspiring on the Lifetime network, but I for one think the human condition is far more complex than this film gives it credit for. Additionally, Ben Tiller, in the eponymous role, plays one or two notes throughout the film, and even these belie any complexity in his character. I understand that he's young, but check out the level of acting Elijah Wood was able to rise to at a similar age in Radio Flyer or The War, two flawed movies, but Wood is excellent in them. Finally, there is a hint of anti-upper-class bias. Aside from the bully brother, what is the difference between the family and Italy and Joan Plowright's character? Both offer David assistance in seemingly generous, pure ways, but the upper-class family is ultimately rejected without a good explanation. Overall, the film's heart is on its sleeve, but it becomes bogged down in cliche melodrama.
Rachel F

This is one of the most amazing films ever. It is inspiring, sad, beautiful, and just great.
Dillon L

Not exactly terrible, but easily forgettable.
Mike T

The movie has good intentions but it ends up becoming corny, TV movie-caliber entertainment. Highly disappointing.

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Cast

Ben Tibber
as David
Jim Caviezel
as Johannes
Joan Plowright
as Sophie
Hristo Shopov
as The Man
Silvia De Santis
as Elsa
Paco Reconti
as Giovanni
Roberto Attias
as Baker
Francesco De Santis
as Roberto
Paul Feig
as American Man
Mat Patresi
as Swiss Border Guard
Maria Bonnevie
as David's Mother
Paraskeva Djukelova
as Young Mother
Lucy Russell
as American Woman
Nikola Rudarov
as Store Owner
Shaila Rubin
as Vineyard Owner
Alessandro Sperduti
as Carlo
Maxim Genchev
as Policeman
Valeri Yordanov
as Bulgarian Soldier
Adrian McCourt
as David's Father
Clem Tibber
as Young David
Carnci Viola
as Maria
Francesco De Vito
as Roberto
Enrico Vecchi
as Grocer
Viola Carinci
as Maria
Marin Jivkov
as Cecha
Robert Syulev
as Angelo
Krassimir Kutzuparov
as Camp Officer
Elisabetta Bartolomei
as Woman at Party
Krassimir Radkov
as Party Guest
Deyan Machev
as Party Guest
Dobrin Dossev
as Border Guard
Malin Krastev
as Policeman
Ivan Nestorov
as Swiss Policeman
Stefan Shteref
as Bulgarian Officer
Panayot Tzanev
as Quarry Guard
Nikolai Kipchev
as Truck Driver
Stephen Antonie Shteref
as Communist Protester

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I Am David (2004)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

Jim H

Rachel F

Dillon L

Mike T

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