Product Details

• Actors: Wil Horneff, Helen Shaver, Jean Marie Barnwell, John C. McGinley, Marvin J. McIntyre
• Directors: John Gray
• Writers: John Bunzel, Paul Young
• Producers: Brian Reilly, Jeffrey Silver, Jennifer Graham Billings, Susan E. Novick, Tony Gardner
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: July 20, 1999
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790742187
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,415 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Born to Be Wild has been dismissed more than once as a knockoff of Free Willy. Except for the teaming of a troubled kid and a large mammal in pursuit of the latter's freedom, that comparison is off the mark. Part screwball comedy and part animal-rights drama, the film stars Wil Horneff as Rick, a young, incorrigible teen whose mother (Helen Shaver), a primate researcher, enlists him to help care for a gorilla named Katie. Much to his surprise, Rick bonds with Katie, a lonely simian who yearns for the Africa of her youth and whose expressive range includes a fair amount of sign language. When Katie's coldhearted owner (Peter Boyle) decides to take her back and put her on display at a department store, Rick steals her away and stuffs her in a stolen van--which he then proceeds to drive to Canada hoping his girlfriend's uncle (John C. McGinley), a conspiracy nut, can lead this 800-pound gorilla to freedom. Rick's quixotic mission is not without funny mishaps and even some character-building challenges to the hero's conviction. (A rambunctious, often impolite girl like Katie is not the easiest travel companion.) But the film's final arrival turns out to be much more than one might have expected: a moving testament to the joy and pain of accepting one's destiny. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Family Movie ever Made, March 22, 2003

By 

KristinDfhs (Fairfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Be Wild [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I thought this movie was made really well. This has been the greatest family movie I have ever seen. It had me laughing and crying at the same time. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy from 0 to 99 years old. And I believe that your whole family will love this movie and watch it everyday like I do.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great family movie full of excitement and adventure, February 18, 2007

By 

BJBear (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Be Wild (DVD)

Better than I thought it would be. Katie the gorilla has a mind of her own. You will laugh so hard you can't see. Katie teaches a 14 yr old boy Named Rick how to love and to be loved. He was committed to community service work after getting into all kinds of trouble. His father just up and left Rick and his mother. Rick got bullied at school and always got in trouble with the law. Then his mother, the scientist, introduced Rick to Katie. Katie mocked him at first, but then Rick and Katie the Gorilla became really close and were best friends. Rick had to learn to sign again so he could communicate with Katie the gorilla.

Then the unthinkable happens, Katie was to replace a caged displayed gorilla which was abused. Rick is furious with his mother and goes to save Katie himself. Man did Katie have fun on the run to Canada.

Rick saved Katie's life.

Very funny family movie. So glad we bought it. It was hilarious.

Highly recommended as a purchase.

Enjoy! Popcorn ready??

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best family flicks ever., August 20, 2002

By 

"karatekid914" (Nevada, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Be Wild [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was made for everybody likes comedy. There are no boring parts at all. It is a bit sad at the end but not very sad. It is half sad half happy at the end. Every minute of this is entertaining. Buy this and enjoy.