Big Wednesday | | Cast : | Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, Gary Busey | | Director : | John Milius | | Studio : | Warner Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | May , 1978 | | DVD Released Date : | April 20, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 01, 2005 | | Summary | Wistful Surf Epic | Content
 | Anybody venturing into this film thinking that this is primarily a surf film will be in for a rude awakening. Surfing is central to the film, yes, but it is the connecting thread of the diverse lives of the film's main characters. The film spans the period of 1962 to 1974 and catalogues the internal changes of Matt(Jan-Michael Vincent), Jack(William Katt), and Leroy(Gary Busey)as the well as the social changes that occurred during that time. One of the more memorable sequences in the film is one where the buddies go to the military induction center and try any number of schemes to avoid being drafted. These characters are real human beings with the foibles associated with all of us. Any sentiment this film engenders is earned. This is a surprisingly poignant film coming from a director, John Milius, normally not associated with sentimentality. The film also delivers the goods as far as the surfing sequences. The film's Great Swell of 1974 sequence is breathtaking. I remember when this film came out in 1978 it got generally good reviews but spotty box office and release. It did not even have a theatrical run in Philly. Thank God for DVD where treasures like this can be rediscovered. This is an excellent film to watch at this midpoint of Summer. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 08, 2005 | | Summary | One of my Top 10 movies of all time | Content
| To be fair, in 1962, I was a 7 year old grom riding my skimboard on the Linda Mar California beach while my cousins longboarded. No wetsuits then-pre Jack O'Neill. Milius did an excellent job capturing that era. Sam Melton aka The Bear reminded me of my Uncle Jack Blair. Gruff, fair and experienced in all things. Every town had a trio of surfers like Leroy, Jack and Matt in those days. Probably still true but I'm the old guy on a longboard now so I wouldn't know any personally. Any surfer over 45 can relate to this movie and if anybody younger than that wants to relate to older surfers like their Dads or Uncles, they should watch this movie. My only beef was that there were no Hawaiians in the movie, only haoles. There were Hawaiians surfing in SoCal in those days, passing on the Aloha. But, that's a minor thing. Funny thing, I still dress the same, even at work as I did in those days-jeans, flip flops, tee-shirt or an aloha shirt. I guess I'm still in a Big Wednesday time warp. I hope I never leave. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 13, 2005 | | Summary | Best Surf Movie | Content
| I'm sure I'll get some flack for declaring this the best surf movie. I don't intend to take anything away from Endless Summer, Step into Liquid, etc. But such movies are more documentary. Other examples such as North Shore, while entertaining, fall short of cinematic.
Big Wednesday is a semi-autobiographical story from director/writer John Milius. As many have made comments regarding the films philosophic take on life, surfing, and friends, I'll just make a few comments.
- The films pacing is slower and more deliberate than most films, giving it an almost literary feel. Admittedly, some would call it slow.
- The story is epic in scope, matching it's pacing.
- It seems to stay true to the surf culture.
- It holds great entertainment value if for no other reason than seeing Jan Michael Vincent and William Katt before their sitcom days (Air Wolf, The Greatest American Hero), and Gary Busey before....well, before his rehab days.
Big Wednesday is part of my movie library. If you enjoy thoughful, coming of age films, and surfing, buy the DVD. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 14, 2004 | | Summary | Yes | Content
| If you're interested in surfing at all, you need this one. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 05, 2004 | | Summary | Surfing Movie | Content
| This one is not just a documentary about surfing. It is actually a good life/friendship movie... And let's not forget about the waves! I enjoy watching this movie. |
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