My Name Is Bill W

Entertaining and informative. An excellent way to learn about the early days, growth, and development of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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.

This movie is an EXCELLENT movie, that shows how AA originally started. It shows the history of how it all began back in the 1930's. It is actually very compelling, bu showing the seemingly "innocent" drinking" and how social drinking, for some people may turn into a full blown addiction, alcoholism. It shows how seriously the person who is alcoholic can be in denial, as well as their loved ones, who think their family or friend "can't really be an alcoholic, those are people living under a bridge, uneducated, or homeless" type of myths. It accurately describes the "disease concept" of alcoholism, and shows how people with severe alcoholism can get help from AA, and how well it works, It shows the growth of popularity in AA, as it has evolved and spread to be an International phenomenon, with excellent results for those who put their heart into following the "12 Steps" of recovery. It also introduces the concept of how "Al anon" came to be in existence. This is a very touching story, very well done, compelling. I have used it many years as a tool to teach clients and family members in rehabilitation centers, and it helped them really get a grasp on what they were felling and how to get help. It also does a great Job of reducing the "stigma" surrounding alcoholism, and may make it easier for people considering to get help, to actually try going to a meeting!

This is a really classic film of the history of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. I work in a treatment center and show it to my clients who seem to like it as many of them have heard of Bill and Dr. Bob but don't know much of their amazing story. The actors, James Woods and James Garner are top notch though some of my colleagues from another 12 step fellowship have termed the movie kind of "corny". I haven't heard that from any clients I showed it to, they were more amazed that Bill and Bob let newcomers actually live in their homes with them while helping them sober up in the early days of AA before there were formal treatment centers.The film also has an interesting vignette showing Dr. Silkworth of Dr's Hospital who later wrote "The Doctor's Opinion" in the AA Big Book. A definitive point in AA and, really medical history in which he states that to achieve sobriety the alcoholic must have a spiritual experience. He also goes on to talk about alcoholism as a disease, comprised of an allergy of the body to alcohol combined with a mental obsession; that the first drink sets up a craving and that only this spiritual experience, in his opinion as a physician has been effective in helping "certain hopeless alcoholics".The film also shows the relationship between Bill Wilson and his wife, Ann who later founded Alanon Family Groups. Ann is played by Jo Beth Williams.

Hello, everyone. I am not an ALKY. I rarely take a drink. I own one of the original movies on VHS. I simply bought it because I needed it for my "James Garner" movie collection. You do not have to drink or know a drunk to enjoy this movie. It is a great story line, the acting is superb, and it will touch anyone who has a heart. If you are a James Garner or James Woods fan then this is a must movie for you. The bonus of watching this movie is that you will come out with a real understanding of this disease and what it does to ones self and the people around it. My hat goes off to anyone who has been able to be honest with themselves and take that first step, ONE DAY AT A TIME.

The proud, arrogant, fighting, belligerent, falling-down, hopeless drunk of a man became a chosen vessel. This is a great treatment of how it all began. For those who don't know Bill's story, this is a fair treatment. Of course, there is so much more to the story, but this is a great intro. Well acted, well written, and very respectful of his spiritual awakening. This is a must see for anyone in recovery and those who support them.

I can't speak for 24 million world wide. But for those whom I have shared with, it goes right to the ♥

Great film , with some “Big Names” in itWell actedA must see for any “Friends’s of Bill W”Shame it was NTSC but once I’d got a Multi-Region player , I watched it twice , back to back

Mi película no llego en la fecha estimada me mandaron un correo diciendo que la habíamos rechazado y se iba a devolver pero nunca llego a nuestro domicilio. Y la dirección está correcta No se AQUIEN contactar para informar este incidente por que quiero la película. De nuevoQué pasa. Que no me hacen devolución ni responden. A mi reclamo que necesito hacer ??

No viene en español

Ce film retraçant la naissance du mouvement des Alcooliques Anonymes est un formidable message d'espoir. A voir par toutes celles et ceux qui souhaitent s'en sortir ou se rétablissent, et leurs proches.