Watch Brothers of the Wind

Brothers of the Wind is an Austrian coming-of-age adventure film from 2015, directed by Gerardo Olivares and Otmar Penker. The movie stars Jean Reno, Tobias Moretti, and Manuel Camacho. The film tells the story of Lukas, a young boy living in a small alpine village in Austria. Lukas has always been fascinated by eagles and has a deep desire to fly like them. However, his domineering father, who is a falconer, disapproves of Lukas' dream and constantly berates him for not being a good enough apprentice.

One day, Lukas finds an eaglet that has fallen from its nest and is nearly dead. He rescues the bird and secretly nurses it back to health. As he cares for the eagle, whom he names Abel, Lukas discovers a newfound sense of purpose and a connection to nature that he has never experienced before. Abel, in turn, becomes fiercely loyal to Lukas and follows him everywhere.

Despite the risks of raising an eagle, Lukas is determined to keep Abel alive and teach him to fly. Together, they explore the mountains and the wilderness, forming an unbreakable bond. Lukas also meets a supportive and kind stranger, Danzer, who shares his love of eagles and helps him throughout his journey.

However, Lukas' happiness is short-lived. When his father discovers what he has been doing, he is furious and demands that Lukas give up Abel. Lukas refuses and runs away with Abel, plunging them both into a dangerous and uncertain future that forces him to confront his deepest fears and doubts.

The scenery of the film is simply breathtaking, capturing the incredible beauty and majesty of the Alps. The way the filmmakers integrate real footage of eagles into the film is seamless and highlights their incredible grace and power. The hunting scenes are also well-staged, creating real tension and suspense as the eagles go after their prey.

Another standout feature of Brothers of the Wind is the strong chemistry between Lukas and Abel. The eagle is portrayed with such vivid realism and character that it practically becomes a second protagonist. Lukas' bond with Abel serves as the emotional core of the film, reminding us of the power of unconditional love and friendship.

Jean Reno's performance as Lukas' father is also noteworthy. Although he has a relatively small role, he manages to imbue the character with genuine complexity and nuance. His strained relationship with Lukas raises important questions about the nature of parenthood, tradition, and independence.

Tobias Moretti and Manuel Camacho also give convincing performances as Danzer and Lukas, respectively. They bring a sense of warmth and charisma to their respective roles that elevates the movie beyond simple melodrama.

Overall, Brothers of the Wind is a captivating and deeply moving film that celebrates the power of the human spirit and the beauty of the natural world. It is a must-see for anyone who enjoys epic adventure stories or has a fascination with birds of prey.

Brothers of the Wind is a 2018 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.