I Am David

David is a 12-year-old who has spent his early years inside a Communist concentration camp. When a chance moment lets him slip away, he clings to two lifelines: a loaf of bread and a folded letter meant for someone in Denmark. With only a compass to guide his steps, he moves into a world full of unfamiliar faces, rough weather, and hard choices. He refuses to surrender to despair, trading stories with strangers and accepting shelter and direction from a few who prove trustworthy. The road becomes a test of wit, courage, and endurance as he presses toward a safe destination. Along the way he learns to read the world through small acts of kindness and caution.

Released in 2003, the film was directed by Paul Feig and adapts Anne Holm's 1963 novel I Am David. Ben Tibber stars as David, with Jim Caviezel and Joan Plowright delivering supporting performances, and the production captures a travelogue feel.

Reception highlights the film as a lean, restrained drama that foregrounds resilience and the longing for freedom. Critics praise the quiet performances, the atmospheric landscapes, and the focus on a child's moral choices as he endures tough days and moves toward a new life with cautious optimism.

Though not a major box office hit, the film found a small, steady audience among families drawn to stories of survival and moral perseverance. Its subdued tone, simple visuals, and period setting give it a quiet place in 2000s family drama, often recommended for classroom screenings or discussions about courage.