UPDATED on 10/25/2020: Frequent visitor Steve (check out his youtube channel here) just uploaded a video on youtube of Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Big Wednesday. I shall post it below on here.
UPDATED on 12/15/2020: Frequent visitor Steve (check out his youtube channel here) just re-uploaded a different version of the youtube video of Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Big Wednesday. I will post it below on here.
Once again, I could not find a video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing the film, so once again, I will have to link to Moviedromer’s entry of it alone (read here). The episode’s original airdate was June 5, 1988. Cox’s analysis of John Milius 1978 coming-of-age drama about California surfers is very interesting. Though Cox agrees with the critics that Big Wednesday is “grandiose” and “pretentious” (read here), he also feels that those same words can easily apply to a lot of other good/great films – Cox cites Citizen Kane (a reported favorite of his) as one example. Milius has reportedly cited Big Wednesday as a very personal film himself. In closing, what else can be said about Milius that has not been said before. According to IMDB’s (Internet Movie Database) profile on him (read here), his films often reflect his conservative political beliefs (though he personally identifies as a “zen anarchist“) and likes to say outrageous things. On the side, John Goodman’s Walter Sobchak character in Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski is reportedly loosely based on him (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Big Wednesday
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s Original theatrical trailer
cinematiccoffee 
Ha! How fascinating that Walter Sobchak is based on John Milius. To me, Walter is one of the great cinematic characters of all time. He’s so complicated. And how does a guy like him–I mean, he’s G. Gordon Liddy lite–wind up being friends with The Dude?It’s kind of like U.S. being friends with The Soviet Union. Weird. Of course, it was WWII so that makes more sense than Walter and The Dude.
One of my favourites – I’m writing my 1978 Oscars posts at the moment and it pops up a few times.
I was late to Big Wednesday, as I didn’t think I would enjoy a film about surfing. Then I was advised to watch it, and thought it was very good indeed. I was far less impressed with the laughable ‘Red Dawn’, and the much-loved ‘Conan The Barbarian’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I thought about Big Wednesday when Jan-Michael Vincent died recently. I used to love watching the salad days of Jack, Matt and Leroy at The Point. I hadn’t realised Milius wrote and directed Dillinger. I’ve watched that one a few times as well, mainly becomes the eponymous bank robber is played by one of my favourite actors, the great Warren Oates. Of course Warren was in Badlands which also appeared on Moviedrome, although I’m sure you already know that.
Thanks for another enjoyable Moviedrome Monday. As usual I reached my guide down from the bookshelf and read today’s entry. It’s a nice way to start the week.
I could not have stated what you just said more eloquently 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I look forward to it 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Big Wednesday is a strong John Milius films. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Same here 🙂 Mondays are not so bad when their Moviedrome Mondays 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Hi John. Just to let you know that I just uploaded a new recording of the Big Wednesday intro. This is better quality than the last upload.
You can replace the video you had on this post with it.
https://www.youtube.com/UCNVj64SrK9Bj3pMeBgLOvcw/videos
youtube.com/channel/UCNVj64SrK9Bj3pMeBgLOvcw/videos
Hey Steve great to hear from you again 🙂 I just clicked on the second link for your new version of the Big Wednesday intro and it is strangely not listed under your video selection. Nevertheless, I will be more than happy to add it to this blog entry when it is ready 🙂 I love all of your uploads 🙂
It’s on my channel now. Have a look. A strange thing happened yesterday. Youtube and Google stopped working for an hour. And thanks for the kind words.
Gotcha 🙂 I see it now 🙂 I have just updated it with your newer version of the intro 🙂 Also, sorry that I have not reviewed the Italian crime thriller Almost Human yet – I have been busy with the holidays 🙂 Nevertheless, after the holidays, I will be able to post a review of it 🙂 I have watched Almost Human and I loved every single minute of it 🙂
It’s cool you enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to your review of it.