Hollywood, will you PLEASE retire the Wilhelm scream!?

John_Berger · 12-22-2003, 09:34 PM

I realize that the Wilhelm scream has become a bit of a staple in the movie industry, but it's use, or overuse IMHO, is really starting to grate on my nerves.

I know of at least one instance in "The Two Towers", and I heard it no less than twice in "Return of the King". Then of course we have "Star Wars", "Star Trek: TMP", and no doubt a boatload of others that I have forgotten or just don't know about. It's really starting to stick out like a sore thumb even when its volume is subdued in any scene that it's in.

When songs are overplayed on the radio, those songs often end up getting disliked and therefore stop being played. It's about that time for the damned Wilhelm scream as well!

Just my two cents.

Clay-F · 12-22-2003, 10:05 PM

I wish it would be reserved for comedies or something....

Or at least done in such a way that it doesnt jump out at us and make us chuckle when we are not supposed to....

Adam_S · 12-22-2003, 10:41 PM

I hate this sceam. I didn't know it was called the Wilhelm scream though, I've always called it the "Boba Fett" scream, since it's the noise Fett makes when he's knocked into the sarlacc.

I don't think there are any other soundeffects used in Willow, other than this scream.

I remember thinking how great it was during Fellowship and Two Towers that all the sound sounds so great and original, and then there was one guy with the boba fett scream in two towers and I was annoyed. I was again annoyed it was used twice (that I caught) in ROTK.

This doesn't greatly affect my enjoyment or reception of the film. BUT I can't understand why filmmakers seem to always put in that scream. Every. Single. Time.

However I would be interested in the history of the scream, since it is such a recognizable and iconic sound effect (which is unfortunate because it draws attention away from the story to remind you you're watching a movie).

I'm waiting for the inevitable posts of "WHY DON'T YOU WATCH THE MOVIE AND FORGET ABOUT THIS CRAP". hopefully we can instead have an interesting discussion on why this soundeffect is used so often, sound libraries in general, and other repeated sound effects that may not have quite the same recognizeable signature this scream has.

Adam

Greg_S_H · 12-22-2003, 10:55 PM

Viva la Wilhelm!

Here's a brief article about the history of the Wilhelm:

http://cgi.theforce.net/theforce/tfn.cgi?storyID=20146

And here's a longer one. Adam, please watch the movie at the end of this second article. It is an absolute classic, and may change your opinion on the beloved Wilhelm.

http://cgi.theforce.net/theforce/tfn.cgi?storyID=5312

Chad R · 12-22-2003, 11:09 PM

I'm not tired of it yet. I thought its use in the LOTR movies were a nice homage to Lucas.

**HTF Ads**

Gary->dee · 12-22-2003, 11:14 PM

Strangely enough I agree with the original poster's consent. The Wilhelm sorta took me out of Two Towers in the Helm's Deep scene. I think certain filmmakers use it as an homage, as in a large-scale action scene isn't complete without a Wilhelm yell. Peter Jackson probably used it in respect to Star Wars, not sure.

Jason Whyte · 12-22-2003, 11:37 PM

I'm glad others have noticed this scream. I noticed it in ROTK as well.

The foley that REALLY bugs me, however, is the "kids laughing" sound that I first heard in the english dub for Jackie Chan's "Rumble In The Bronx", and has been in over a dozen films since. (The kids around Anakin's pod in "Episode 1" had the same "kids laughing" foley. TWICE.)

Jason

Gary->dee · 12-22-2003, 11:48 PM

Wasn't the Wilhelm also used in Kill Bill during the House of the Blue Leaves?

Dennis Pagoulatos · 12-23-2003, 12:03 AM

yes it was. twice!

-Dennis

Wayne Bundrick · 12-23-2003, 12:38 AM

Wilhelm's scream is also heard in Raiders of the Lost Ark, during the truck chase. It seems one of the German soldiers in the back of the truck was named Wilhelm.

Gary: the Wish You Were Here shrink wrap sticker and Star Wars, that's an interesting combination.