Big Wednesday (1978)

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

Director:

John Milius

Writers:

John Milius, Dennis Aaberg

Stars:

Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, Gary Busey

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Matt Johnson
William Katt	...	Jack Barlow
Gary Busey	...	Leroy Smith
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Sally Jacobson
Lee Purcell	...	Peggy Gordon
Sam Melville	...	Bear
Darrell Fetty	...	Jim 'Waxer' King
Gerry Lopez	...	Gerry Lopez
Hank Worden	...	Shopping Cart (as Hank Warden)
Joe Spinell	...	Psychologist
Steve Kanaly	...	Sally's Husband
Barbara Hale	...	Mrs. Barlow
Fran Ryan	...	Lucy
Dennis Aaberg	...	Slick
Reb Brown	...	Enforcer

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | wave | california | surfer | 1960s | 

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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...

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Wednesday

Filming Locations:

La Libertad, El Salvador

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

A-Team

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39:1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Jack Barlow was loosely based on surfer Kemp Aaberg. Moreover, Kemp's younger brother Dennis Aaberg co-wrote the script for this film.

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Goofs

It is 1965, but 1970s cars are visible as they drive to the military entrance processing station.

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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.

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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

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Soundtracks

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
(uncredited)
Written by Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Performed by The Shirelles

User Reviews

Awesome

I first saw this film in 1978, my father took me to see it with my brothers at the drive-in as a double feature with "Every Which Way But Loose." It's a movie that I have never forgotten. It combines brilliantly heart gripping surfing action, heart wrenching emotions, and heart uplifting humour, all set against the back-drop of the Vietnam War, teenagers growing up, the wisdom of elders (Bear) and of course, the surfing.

I've never surfed a minute of my entire life (although whenever I watch this, I feel like I should), so don't think of this as a "surf movie". It simply is an excellent piece of cinematic history that you will feel you missed on if you never see it.

Recommended with 2 thumbs way way way up.