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Big Wednesday

  • 19781978
  • PGPG
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Big Wednesday (1978)
John Milius directs the 1978 coming-of-age surfing film 'Big Wednesday.'
Play trailer2:52
1 Video
38 Photos
DramaSport
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.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Milius
  • Writers
    • John Milius
    • Dennis Aaberg
  • Stars
    • Jan-Michael Vincent
    • William Katt
    • Gary Busey
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Milius
  • Writers
    • John Milius
    • Dennis Aaberg
  • Stars
    • Jan-Michael Vincent
    • William Katt
    • Gary Busey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 73User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:52
    Official Trailer

    Photos38

    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)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    • Matt Johnsonas Matt Johnson
    William Katt
    William Katt
    • Jack Barlowas Jack Barlow
    Gary Busey
    Gary Busey
    • Leroy Smithas Leroy Smith
    Patti D'Arbanville
    Patti D'Arbanville
    • Sally Jacobsonas Sally Jacobson
    Lee Purcell
    Lee Purcell
    • Peggy Gordonas Peggy Gordon
    Sam Melville
    Sam Melville
    • Bearas Bear
    Darrell Fetty
    Darrell Fetty
    • Waxeras Waxer
    Gerry Lopez
    Gerry Lopez
    • Gerry Lopezas Gerry Lopez
    Hank Worden
    Hank Worden
    • Shopping Cartas Shopping Cart
    • (as Hank Warden)
    Joe Spinell
    Joe Spinell
    • Psychologistas Psychologist
    Steve Kanaly
    Steve Kanaly
    • Sally's Husbandas Sally's Husband
    Barbara Hale
    Barbara Hale
    • Mrs. Barlowas Mrs. Barlow
    Fran Ryan
    Fran Ryan
    • Lucyas Lucy
    Dennis Aaberg
    Dennis Aaberg
    • Slickas Slick
    Reb Brown
    Reb Brown
    • Enforceras Enforcer
    Robert Englund
    Robert Englund
    • Flyas Fly
    Keith Davis
    • Ostrichas Ostrich
    Johnny Fain
    • Breathmanas Breathman
    • Director
      • John Milius
    • Writers
      • John Milius
      • Dennis Aaberg
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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 agehomoeroticgay interestgay subtextlgbt36 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • 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

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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

    User reviews73

    Review
    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

    FAQ1

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

    Details

    Edit
    • 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

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

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