Based on a true story, "Fly Away Home" is the type of feelgood family entertainment that's great to own for those rainy afternoons. The collector's edition DVD release comes with the type of extras that truly deserve to be called special features.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Picture It's hard to recall a Columbia TriStar DVD that has disappointed in terms of picture quality, and this bright transfer is not about to buck that trend.

Sound Mark Isham's playful music score is given a 5.1 mix that's filled with warmth, and envelops the viewer through good use of the rear speakers.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Audio Commentary Director Carroll Ballard and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel sit down for an audio analysis of a film that was clearly a great pleasure to work on. One thing they really can't get over are the changes in Anna Paquin during the shoot, where they reckon that she grew three to four inches in height. While co-star Jeff Daniels wasn't physically growing, it turns out that he soon started to morph into Bill Lishman, the real-life inspiration behind Daniels' character. As much of the movie was shot on Lishman's property, a bond clearly formed by the cast and crew shines through in the film.

Isolated Score Commentary Composer Mark Isham doesn't offer much in the way of a commentary, preferring instead to let the 5.1 mix of his score do the talking. He does, though, discuss his unique relationship with director Carroll Ballard, who suggested that he try his hand at becoming a film music composer for the 1983 movie "Never Cry Wolf", which subsequently launched his career.

Exclusive Featurette This featurette provides the background for the story of Bill Lishman, his Operation Migration project, and how it ties in with the film. We get to see Lishman's home, which is every bit as extraordinary as the house in the movie, with rising cupboards, and a barn filled with aircraft - all on a property that's dotted with his extraordinary sculptures.

The Ultra Geese Here you get the 50-minute documentary that inspired the movie, and it's worth the price of the DVD alone. Made back in 1988 by Lishman, we follow the progress of his first migration project to establish safer routes for birds, by encouraging them to follow his ultralight aircraft. Not only is this adventure every bit as fantastic as the film, but it's all true. Such gripping events as Lishman struggling to complete the design of his craft, initially failing to get the geese to follow him, and someone shooting at him and his birds await you in this unforgettable programme.

HBO Special These HBO 'making of' featurettes can vary between awful and rather good. This sits in the latter category, with some excellent behind-the-scenes footage, which along with all the other features on this DVD, offers a complete overview of the film from genesis to execution, and then finally in retrospect.

Additional Extra Features Also on the DVD is a trailer gallery, and cast and crew filmographies.

Region: 2
Chapters: 28
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, and multiple language subtitles.

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.