A medieval must-watch for lovers of Renaissance faires and feel-good feminism is Catherine Called Birdy, and here's what to know, including where to watch it. The 2022 medieval movie comedy is an adaptation of the beloved adolescent novel of the same name by children’s author, Karen Cushman. Though exiting select theaters by the end of September, it’s coming soon to a streaming platform near you. Once you learn where to watch Catherine Called Birdy, get ready for a lighthearted Renaissance romp in an ancient English shire with meaningful undertones just below the frivolously fun surface. You can watch it all unfold now on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch Catherine Called Birdy on Amazon Prime Video
Welcome to Stonebridge in the Year 1290
Described as warm and humanistic, Catherine Called Birdy stars Bella Ramsey, perfectly cast as the spirited teen heroine, Birdy, in this adaptation of the Newberry medal-winning novel. Bella Ramsey also appeared in Game of Thrones as Lyanna Mormont, the brilliant young head of the house of Bear Island. Her charismatic performance as Birdy boosts her higher into the spotlight, and she performs beautifully, showing dynamic chemistry with everyone she’s paired with in each scene throughout the film. Catherine Called Birdy also stars Billie Piper as Lady Aislinn, Michael Woofit as Perkin, and Andrew Scott as Lord Rollo, a father torn between love for his independent daughter and the need to marry her off for money to save his decaying estate and its surrounding village.
In feudal England, daughters are little more than chattel to be traded away for money, titles, lands, or peace treaties with rivals. But strong-willed and wild, Birdy is having none of it. Instead, she engages in plots and ploys to ward off potential suitors for her hand before her father can try to marry her off to pay his mounting debts. You’ll learn whether he succeeds in selling her to the highest bidder, or if Birdy flies the coop when you learn where to watch Catherine Called Birdy.
With beautiful production designs by Kave Quinn bringing the long-ago era back to life and highly authentic period costumes by Julian Day, viewers find themselves transported back to a time when girls had no say in their own futures, something nearly unimaginable today.
Yet some things never change with time, such as a tween girl’s first frightening period, an inappropriate crush, and friendships that mature from childhood playmates into teen angst yet manage to survive the transition. You’ll find you recognize the shared human emotions, despite the enormous cultural differences when you learn how to watch Catherine Called Birdy.
Where to Watch Catherine Called Birdy
Catherine Called Birdy is a coming-of-age story from a far different age, told in the voice of a young girl writing her woes down in her diary just as girls have done since … well, since medieval times. Birdy clings fiercely to the last days of her childhood, knowing what’s inevitably ahead for her, but like the book, the film manages to remain upbeat and light-hearted despite the brutal reality of the time period. It leaves the audience with the knowledge that Catherine, the girl known to her friends as Birdy, will keep her strong spirit and manage to find joy no matter what role she must fill in the future.
Find out what happens and which suitor is most likely to win strong-willed Birdy’s hand when you watch Catherine Called Birdy, streaming since October 7th on Amazon Prime Video.