Jonathan Livingston Seagull (film) to recognize ourselves in a seagull obsessed with the heights". The film was nominated for the 1973 Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Jack Couffer) and Best Film Editing (Frank P. Keller and James Galloway). The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: The film was the subject of three lawsuits that were filed around the time of the film's release. Author Richard Bach sued Paramount Pictures before the film's release for having too many discrepancies between the film and the book. The judge ordered the studio to make some rewrites before it was released. Director Bartlett had
Jonathan Livingston Seagull allusions to and insights regarding the same near-death experience. In October 2014, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition," was reissued and includes part four of the story. Part four focuses on the period several hundred years after Jonathan and his students have left the Flock and their teachings become venerated rather than practiced. The birds spend all their time extolling the virtues of Jonathan and his students and spend no time flying for flying's sake. The seagulls practice strange rituals and use demonstrations of their respect for Jonathan and his students as status symbols. Eventually some birds reject the ceremony