IMDb RATING
7.1/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
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.
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Hank Worden
- Shopping Cart
- (as Hank Warden)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGeorge Lucas and Steven Spielberg thought this film would be the American Graffiti (1973) of surfing films - that it was destined to be such a hit that they famously traded profit points on their next two films, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) with director John Milius. This trade would earn Milius millions of dollars while his own film would flop at the box office.
- GoofsJack's induction notice says he is to serve in the United States Marine Corps. When he comes home from Vietnam he is an Army Airborne Ranger.
- 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 versionsABC edited 31 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)
- SoundtracksThree Friends Theme
Music by Basil Poledouris
Lyrics & Vocals by Keola Beamer (as Keola) & Kapono Beamer
Featured review
Top five movie music - take a bow Basil
What is it about Big Wednesday that inspires so much affection? I won't repeat the many tributes that have been made here, and yes, I was a surfer, and yes, this is in my top five of all time movies, and yes, I watch it about once every eighteen months.
But something others don't seem to mention much is the perfect score that Basil Poledouris wrote for the movie, sound which echoes and complements the action throughout, and reminds me strongly of artists and music of the time like Jack Nitzches "Lonely Surfer", and "Beyond the Break". Not, for heaven's sake, the Beach Boys or Jan and Dean.
But isn't that a big part of good movies? When music, image and story all combine? (Discuss)
The other four of my five are "Andrei Rublev", "If..." "The Piano" "Journey to the Center of the Earth"
But something others don't seem to mention much is the perfect score that Basil Poledouris wrote for the movie, sound which echoes and complements the action throughout, and reminds me strongly of artists and music of the time like Jack Nitzches "Lonely Surfer", and "Beyond the Break". Not, for heaven's sake, the Beach Boys or Jan and Dean.
But isn't that a big part of good movies? When music, image and story all combine? (Discuss)
The other four of my five are "Andrei Rublev", "If..." "The Piano" "Journey to the Center of the Earth"
helpful•234
- john-sellers
- Oct 20, 2005
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $11,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39:1
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