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Big Wednesday [1978] [DVD]

Jan-Michael Vincent (Actor), William Katt (Actor), John Milius (Director) | Rated: Parental Guidance | Format: DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
Price: £5.28 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

Big Wednesday [1978] [DVD] + Riding Giants [DVD] [2005] + The Endless Summer Collectors Edition (2 Disc) [DVD]
Price For All Three: £22.10

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Product details

  • Actors: Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, Gary Busey, Patti D'Arbanville, Lee Purcell
  • Directors: John Milius
  • Writers: John Milius, Dennis Aaberg, Joel Chernoff
  • Producers: Alexandra Rose, Buzz Feitshans, Greg MacGillivray, Tamara Asseyev
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Arabic, Dutch, Romanian
  • Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired: Italian, English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 1 Jun 2006
  • Run Time: 115 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000092WD5
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,455 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

John Milius charts a decade of social change in Big Wednesday as three surfing buddies use surfing as a personal touchstone for their lives while growing up in the turbulent 1960s. Irresponsible hot-dogging legend Matt (Jan-Michael Vincent), serious and stable Jack (William Katt), and mad misfit Leroy, aka "Masochist" (Gary Busey), are teenage surf bums in 1963, living at the beach in a perpetual summer under the sway of surfboard-maker Bear (Sam Melville), guru, mentor, and keeper of the lore. But the times they are a changin' and boys grow up in the shadow of Vietnam while adulthood pushes them into hard decisions.

John Milius mixes the nostalgia of American Graffiti with the reverence of a John Ford cavalry drama. Surfing becomes a kind of spiritual quest spoken of in awed mythic tones and photographed with the epic grandeur of a rite of passage. Milius' heavy-handed direction and reverent attitude slows the films and will turn off some viewers, but the director's fans will appreciate his macho attitudes and philosophical musings, and surfing fans will love the spectacular surfing footage, including the dazzling stylings of world champion Gerry Lopez (whom Milius later cast in Conan the Barbarian). Lee Purcell costars as Matt's supportive wife, with Patti D'Arbanville, Barbara Hale, and Robert Englund in supporting roles. Look for Ford stock player Hank Worden in a small role and Milius himself in a cameo selling marijuana in Tijuana. --Sean Axmaker

Product Description

This cult surf film uses surfing and the beach as a coming-of-age metaphor where three California friends reunite after the Vietnam War. Directed by John Milius, who wrote the original script for 'Apocalypse Now'.

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic movie that time forgot. 19 Nov 2001
By "delinho"
Format:VHS Tape
This is a breathtaking film from start to finish, be it the boisterous parties that the stars attend, the trip to Tijuana, or the beautiful footage of the ocean and the surfers.

Jan Michael Vincent pulls at your heart strings as the immature alcoholic Matt Johnson who manages to find peace within himself and with his friends, whilst growing up on the beach, and he is ably asisted by Gary Busey and William Katt who star as his chalk and cheese surf buddies.

A movie about growing up, taking responsibilities and the tragedy of war, all set to a beautiful back drop of sandy beaches and glorius ocean waves, and an impressive soundtrack.

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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving with superb surfing footage 23 July 2003
By K. Malin
Format:DVD
With the backdrop of incredible surfing scenes, comes the story of 3 guys growing up under the uneasy shadow of the Vietnam war. But life throws up it's own set of problems and hard decisions for the lads to take. And the escape is the water, the swell and the search for the perfect wave. The complexity of the different personalities lends an endearing quality to the whole production and come the end, the magnaninous end, we were all choking for breath. The thumping soundtrack of classic sixties tracks rams it all home of course.
Coming forward to present times, it hasn't gotten any easier. And this wonderful film reminds you that life's a beach, a VW Camper, a board and beer. Enjoy.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgia trip 30 May 2003
By A Customer
Format:DVD
For a 25 year old movie this stands up pretty well. It starts off all a bit rose tinted, but goes darker as the main character's paths split, with only their shared love of surfing providing a link to each other.

The cast fit the parts well. Jan Michael Vincent (more famous for his pertually squinting Stringfellow Hawk from Airwolf) is the most talented surfer of the three, but nearly throws it all away to alchohol addiction (not totally removed from real life then).
Gary Busey is the other draft dodger who ends up a drug dealer (which nicely counterparts his role in that other classic surfer movie, Point Break), with the third guy (forget his name) going to vietnam and returning as a war hero.

Overall it's a nice movie showing the friendship between three surfing buddies and how it evolves. And some old school surfing. Recommended.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Something of a cult movie.
I saw this when it was released in the 70's down in Newquay Cornwall. At the time I thought it was ok but now I think its pretty good if you enjoy the storyline being around... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ian Stringer
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Wednesday
For the surf lovers this movie is a must!
Awesome soundtrack and great cameos from real surfers.
It'll take you back to another era.
Published 3 months ago by Francesca Barbini
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Oldie but a goodie. Great DVD even if you aren't into surfing. Great storyline to go with some brilliant surfing. Can only get it in Amazon. A+++
Published 4 months ago by tam34
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie.
I wanted this for my DVD collection of feel good films. Great story line although on this occassion seemed a bit dated which it is. Classic surf film though.
Published 5 months ago by Bluedreamer
5.0 out of 5 stars architects of time
The high hopes and naivety of youth soon lose out to the harsh realities of life. A fleeting moment in young lives and carefree days that soon fly away as the challenges of life... Read more
Published 6 months ago by architects of time
5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic
Takes me back to my surfing days and the antics we got up to, a quick reminder of what not to tell your children
Published 16 months ago by D A
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic & Timeless
Love this movie. Captures surfing and its culture which has changed little since. Characters and stories are well crafted. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2010 by Tomas Breen
4.0 out of 5 stars forgotten gem
I'll keep this short. The story is nothing new but it is told simply and is authentic. I'm not saying this is a great film just one of the best you've never heard of. Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2010 by JC
5.0 out of 5 stars Soul surfing
Big Wednesday is a film dealing with growth & maturity - set against a background of adrenalin seekers. The surfing is well filmed and not CGI. Read more
Published on 12 July 2010 by Mark Corps
4.0 out of 5 stars Big Wednesday
Big Wednesday is a surprisingly good movie. Its not really about surfing, it is about friendship and disillusionment with the American Dream. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Mr. John C. Franklin
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