Customer Reviews

My Name Is Bill W. [VHS]

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved all of this movie; however, I particularly like the part where Bill W and his wife are attending a group where Bill is not known and everyone is quoting him. You see the look in his eyes, the desire to say I'm the Bill W you all are talking about, he looks at his wife she gives him a knowing look and he turns away from the people talking about how great he is to work one on one with new man. This is indeed what the program is about. I would also recommend the book an Encounter With A Prophet to see what all of the God stuff is about.

Are you an alocoholic? Is someone you love an alcoholic?

It really doesn't matter. This movie, regrettably is available only on VHS, will give you insight, understanding, and hope. Hope, that most fragile of words, is the basis of this incredible made-for-TV motion picture.

Bill Wilson comes home from World War I a hero. He then conquers Wall Street. He marries the love of his life, Lois. He then discovers both a new god, a new lover, a new idol; the bottle. This unflinching film looks at the descent of of alcoholic into hell, and his journey back, guided, not by the spirit of Virgil, but by another alcoholic, Doctor Bob. Together, they find a "cure" for an "incurable" disease. The disease of alcoholism.

Neither could cure themselves, but together, they could find the way out of hell into if not paradise, at least life; life on life's terms.

This film has been called the AA "Roots." I won't take up that guantlet. This film stands alone. The performances by James Woods, JoBeth Williams and James Garner stand on their own merits. It tells the story of one man's descent into the hell of addiction < and YES, alcoholism is an addiction >, and his return to the land of the living.

Woods plays Bill W. with remarkable restraint, not denigrating into the hystrionics of Jack Lemmon in "The Lost Weekend"; as brilliant and well-meaning as that film is. Nor does this movie fall into high camp, as did "Reefer Madness" in the late Thirties.

Instead, in "My Name Is Bill W.", we see a man driven to the depths of despair. A man beaten is beaten into the dust. To quote Cecil B. DeMille, "the dust from which prophets and holy men are formed. . ."

Yet, this film is not preachy. It tells a story. A true story, all the more frightening, because it is true.

Watch this movie. Listen to its message of hope, of truth, of honesty, openness, and willingness. Hear the story of the damned, who somehow, someway, found salvation.

You will be moved. I promise you.

As a recovering alcoholic myself, I find this movie an accurate and moving portrayal on the life of Bill Wilson and the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. James Woods is always a marvelous actor, but here he delivers a tour de force performance as Bill Wilson. Also in the cast is the ever-delightful JoBeth Williams of Big Chill fame. James Garner plays Dr. Bob Smith, who, along with Bill, founded A. A. in 1935. Garner also co-produced the project. This was originally aired on television as a Hallmark Hall Of Fame movie in 1989. Very inspiring!

If you are recovering from any type of substance abuse and want to know the history of how Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, you MUST see this video. It tells the story of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith and their fight in overcoming their life threatening illness of alcoholism. This is the story on how AA got started and if you participate in AA you will gain a new perspective on how hopelessness can turn into peace and serenity in this incredible fellowship. If you've read Bill's Story in the Big Book, you will be amazed at how well this film was done!

This movie is about the history of Bill Wilson, co-founder of A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous). It is a wonderful story of how Bill and Dr. Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) met and started the fellowship that has kept millions of people sober around the world. The story also gives as a look at Bills experience, strength, and hope. This story will diclose in a general way, what he used to be like, what happened, and what he is like now. His wife Lois is also featured in this movie. My Name is Bill W. is a film that you will be sure to remember for the rest of your life!!!

I saw an interview with James Woods, where he stated that the directors wanted to cut out the seen where Bill is standing by the window explaining to Lois how cunning, baffling and self-destructive his disease is, but inspite of all that what he really wants most right now is another drink. James Woods told them that if they cut it out, he would not accept the role because it is what every alcoholic needs to hear and identify with. I highly respect him for that and would like to say THANKS!!! The scene at the end were Bill is 12-stepping a newcomer is priceless. The seen where he's in the motel trying to get in touch with Dr Bob, will make any recovering alcoholic grateful that we don't have to go to the same lengths as he did to share their experience, strength and hope with another alcoholic to stay sober one more day. Great performances by all!

Movie shares much about the progression of the disease of alcoholism. Most important - it shares the difficulty of not picking up the first drink, the reliance upon a Power Greater than human thought of restraint, and the solution to staying sober by helping another alcoholic by passing it on. There was only one other time in history - 1840s - Washingtonians - which attempted to solve the problem for drunkards. I am at awe when I wonder why God chose the United States twice, how fortunate a country we are indeed. The history of Alcoholic Anonymous is well presented in this film. A must see for all members of this fellowship.

A good look into the beginnings of the modern day 12 Step program. Recognized now as an effective way in which to confront addictions/issues on many fronts and not just alcohol alone. Prior to this (November 1934), and apart from Divine Intervention, the end for most alcoholics was (is) found in, "jails, institutions or death". One of the many scenes in the movie that stands out is when Bill calmly acknowledges that although alcohol is ruining his life all he can think of is another drink. Contrast this to a subsequent scene when Bill and Dr. Bob first meet. Bob states that others have tried to help him but to no avail, etc. Bill interjects and tells him that he isn't there to help Bob but rather himself. This gets Bob's attention. 'My Name Is Bill W.', is a story of struggle, hope and ultimately of triumph and whose message is available to anyone who would yield themselves to a new but simple approach to everyday living. Theories can be disputed but results can't be denied. A great many people over the years have had their lives touched by the work of Bill W. and Dr. Bob, who themselves had also discovered, "the easier, softer way".

I have seen this move twice, and can identify with Bill coming in drunk after swearing off the sauce many times. The scene where he gets money from Lois to buy more boose comes vividly to mind, and always reminds me of the line in Alcholics Anonymous where he talks of stealing from his wifes slender purse. Today I feel that you can take the alcohol out of my life to clear my mind and body of the substance, but we need recovery,unity and service to find a Higher Power to help clear my mind of wrong thinking. My actions are changed to a better lifestyle as a result of the God given program, which the co-founders recieved and carried out. I'm so glad they had the foresight to create The Alcoholic Foundation so this gift could keep saving lives.

I have watched this movie at least 6 times and never tire of it. As a recovering alcoholic it could be me in that movie and it makes me remember what it was like. I am also a proud member of AA and Thank God for Bill W. !!