MovieChat Forums > Big Wednesday (1978) Discussion > The speech...

The speech...

posted 19 years ago by patrickstibbs
15 replies | jump to latest

Back in the 80's, I brought this film to Omaha for a special showing. Somehow, I was able to get ahold of director John Milius for an interview. He also gave me Reb (The Enforcer) Brown's phone number and whenever I would go to L.A. we would hook up and talk a great deal about BW.

Anyway, I asked Milius what he thought of the final cut of the film (I thought it was brilliant) but he was very unhappy about 'the speech' being cut from the film.
I asked what that was.

He then proceeded to tell me about a scene that was written and filmed (during the party scene towards the beginning) where Bear (Sam Melville) sits around with a bunch of partygoers and one of the surfers asks him to relate the story of 'Big Wednesday.' Bear than goes into its tragic origins.

The 'speech' is one of the most moving pieces of material ever written; it explains the whole meaning of the title (no, it's not just a big wave, it's much more, it tells why Bear is like he is, etc.) and the ignorant bastards at Warner Brothers cut it (at that time, Milius did not have final cut approval).

John was then gracious enough to send me the original script written by he and Denny Aaberg, which I still have. The scene is in there, intact, and if anyone's interested, I'll post 'the speech' here.

Still my favorite movie of all time.

[–] stalin-9 19 years ago

I would love to read "The Speech" if you have time to post it at some point.

"Are you the Farmer?"

[–] StayCasual 19 years ago

I have always regarded Big Wednesday as the finest film of all time (a bold statement but one that I just can't deny to myself - particularly strange since I'm a 20 year old Scottish guy who has never even touched a surf-board). I would really like to read that speech but I dont think it will make me any less fond of Warners cut. What really comes across in the film - regardless of what was omitted from the final cut - is Milius' honesty and affection for these guys. It's one of those films that's about more than whats on screen and is certainly the film that I waited my whole life to see…

"You want that gun, pick it up. I wish you would"
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[–] raceface 19 years ago

yes, pleas post it for us. I saw Big Wednesday at the theaters back in 78, and still love it to this day!!

[–] jervistetch 19 years ago

I would absolutely love to hear Bear's story. He's the most interesting character in the movie. It's funny. I never even knew about the speech but whenever I watch the film I always think, "I wish they had done more with Bear's character." Any plans for a director's cut?

[–] koloxxviii 19 years ago

you gonna post it the or what? we all want to read it.

"insert witty comment here"

[–] mjb442olds 18 years ago

You've got everyone's attention and approval. Please post it buddy.

[–] dante144 18 years ago

Yeah, you got my attention already! please post it!

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[–] tmac396 18 years ago

Well...we're all waiting!

"How fast is that thing?"
"Depends on who's around."

[–] sunfloweriii 18 years ago

SPEECH!!!

[–] patrickstibbs 18 years ago

Sorry everyone I've been swamped these past few months I forgot! I'll dig up the script this weekend and transcribe it (unless someone already has, I'll check the boards)

[–] jervistetch 18 years ago

God bless you, patrickstibbs. Can't wait.

[–] patrickstibbs 18 years ago

We just got buried with a foot of snow here in Omaha, so my kids are home from school today. My 13 yr old is going though all my scripts to find Big Wednesday (there's a ton of 'em that I've collected over the years; of course, being the idiot I am they are not alphabatized).

I'll grab it tonight bring it to my office tomorrow and try to post 'the speech' by this weekend at the latest.

Again, I'm so sorry, BW fans, that I spaced this off these past few months. I was going to offer to post my interview with Milius as well from '83 but I'm sure whatever he told me way back then is in the DVD commentary anyway.

Again, it's ming boggling how a studio can cut a scene that is not only so pivotal to the movie but also explains the *beep* title! Then again, this same studio greenlit Battlefield Earth and Pluto Nash, so...

[–] sunfloweriii 18 years ago

Hi Patrick----Can't wait for the speech and even Milius' interview--that would also be fantastic--Really...We are waiting on pins ans needles.
:) Dera

[–] wallygatorca 18 years ago

It would be great if you could post it before the one year anniversary of your original post here. Please throw it up.

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[–] jervistetch 18 years ago

He did post it. It's in a new thread named "Edited scene #41: The Speech".