Big Wednesday

19781978
PGPG
2h

Big Wednesday (1978)

John Milius directs the 1978 coming-of-age surfing film 'Big Wednesday.'

Play trailer2:52

The lives of some California surfers from the early 1960s to the 1970s.The lives of some California surfers from the early 1960s to the 1970s.The lives of some California surfers from the early 1960s to the 1970s.

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Videos1

Official Trailer

Official Trailer

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday (1978)

Gary Busey, William Katt, and Jan-Michael Vincent in Big Wednesday (1978)

Gary Busey, William Katt, and Jan-Michael Vincent in Big Wednesday (1978)

Gary Busey and William Katt in Big Wednesday (1978)

Lee Purcell in Big Wednesday (1978)

Reb Brown in Big Wednesday (1978)

Gary Busey, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Lee Purcell in Big Wednesday (1978)

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Farewell to the King

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The Endless Summer

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The Reversal of Richard Sun

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Motorcycle Gang

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Motorcycle Gang

Flight of the Intruder

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Flight of the Intruder

Matt Johnson, Jack Barlow, and Leroy Smith are three young California surfers in the 1960s. At first reveling in the carefree life of beaches, girls, and waves, they eventually must face the fact that the world is changing, becoming more complex, less answerable by simple solutions. Ultimately the Vietnam war interrupts their idyll, leaving them to wonder if they will survive until "Big Wednesday," the mythical day when the greatest, cleanest, most transcendent wave of all will come. —Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

coming of age homoerotic gay interest gay subtext lgbt 36 more

Taglines
- A story of three friends growing up in the sixties; of ten years filled with parties; weddings and uncertainties; and of the day we must all face...
Genres
- Drama
- Sport
Certificate
- PG
Parents guide

Trivia
Jeff Bridges turned down the role of Matt.

Goofs
Jack's induction notice says he is to serve in the United States Marine Corps. When he comes home from Vietnam he is an Army Green Beret.

Quotes
Matt Johnson: You know, Mrs. Barlow, there's something I'd like straighten out.
Mrs. Barlow: What's that, Matt?
Matt Johnson: Well, I did a lot of things around here I'm kind of ashamed of. I tore up your lawn with my '40 Ford...
Mrs. Barlow: Many times.
Matt Johnson: Took my pants off in front of your friends...
Mrs. Barlow: Oh, yes.
Matt Johnson: And I even passed out in your closet, but I never, and I don't know who could have if I didn't, but I never, and I repeat never, ever pissed in your steam iron.

Alternate versions
ABC edited 31 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.

Connections
Featured in Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)

Soundtracks
Three Friends Theme
Music by Basil Poledouris
Lyrics & Vocals by Keola Beamer (as Keola) & Kapono Beamer

Top review

8/10

Schmaltzy, beautifully shot coming of age drama with the ever watchable Gary Busey.

Gary Busey's career high as the insane "Masochist" with the irrisistable quote "More Beer!". Okay, this is a little patchy, but it's beautifully shot and has that old fashioned innocence that most modern teen films lack. The surfing rules and the leading trio is well played. Oh and I forgot to mention, the entire narration is by none other than Elm street's Fred Kreuger, a.k.a Robert Englund, which just makes it uber-cool in my minds eye; but I am biased. A great feel-good movie from when movies still felt pretty good.

helpful•17

8

moz-1
Mar 3, 2001

WHAT IS THE SONG AT THE ARMY INDUCTION CENTER ? ABOUT A SHIPWRECK THAT (RAN AGROUND IN "53" NOW A VICTIM OF THE SEA ?)

Release date
- May 26, 1978 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Also known as
- Dan velikih valova
Filming locations
- Santa Monica, California, USA
Production company
- A-Team
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $11,000,000 (estimated)

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
2 hours
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Dolby Stereo
Aspect ratio
- 2.39:1

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Big Wednesday (1978)

Top Gap

By what name was Big Wednesday (1978) officially released in Canada in English?

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