Overview:
In 1986, a heartfelt film made its way into theaters—The Boy Who Could Fly. Surprisingly directed by Nick Castle (best known for Halloween) and featuring Fred Gwynne of The Munsters, the movie blended fantasy with real-life struggles of grief and healing. Although it slipped from mainstream memory, the story remains an inspiring tale of resilience and the belief that anything is possible if you try.
There Was Once a Boy Who Could Fly
The Boy Who Could Fly (1986) is a film that never quite found its place in pop culture but left a lasting mark on those who discovered it. The story explores how people handle grief and how connection can help heal even the deepest wounds.
Who Is This Boy?
The film follows Eric Gibb (Jay Underwood), a nonverbal teenager traumatized by the loss of his parents in a plane crash. Living with his alcoholic uncle, Hugo (Fred Gwynne), Eric spends much of his time perched outside his window, arms outstretched like an airplane.
Next door, Amelia “Milly” Michaelsen (Lucy Deakins) notices Eric’s strange behavior. She soon learns that his silence hides both deep pain and something extraordinary.
Broken Wings
Milly has her own struggles. After the death of her father, her mother Charlene (Bonnie Bedelia) takes on full-time work while Milly looks after her younger brother Louis (Fred Savage). The family faces hardship, adjusting to a new school, financial stress, and lingering grief.
Partners in Grief
Milly becomes the only person able to connect with Eric through gestures and facial expressions. Her teacher encourages her to mentor him, and their bond deepens.
Soon, Milly notices mysterious events surrounding Eric—he seems to appear and disappear out of nowhere. On a school field trip, she survives a dangerous fall and becomes convinced that Eric somehow saved her.
Learning to Fly Again
After Eric’s uncle is deemed unfit to care for him, Eric is hospitalized. But he escapes, leading to a dramatic rooftop scene at school. With nowhere else to go, Eric says Milly’s name—his first spoken word—and reveals his secret: he can fly.
Hand in hand, Milly and Eric soar above the town as stunned onlookers watch in awe. Before flying away into the sky, Eric tells Milly he loves her.
Somewhere Deep Inside, We Can All Fly
Eric’s flight changes everyone around him. Uncle Hugo gives up drinking, Milly’s mother finds confidence at work, and Louis finally stands up to bullies. Eric’s gift becomes a metaphor: no matter how difficult life becomes, we all have the strength to rise above it.
Milly closes the story with a powerful reflection:
“Maybe we can’t soar up into the clouds. But somewhere deep inside, we can all fly.”
Sources:
- The Boy Who Could Fly (1986), Directed by Nick Castle.
- IMDb – The Boy Who Could Fly
