Community
Search
Movie Talk A Discussion area for everything movie related including films In The Theaters
View Poll Results: Do you like the Wilhelm scream
Yes
26
47.27%
Depends
9
16.36%
No
11
20.00%
I hate you cuz you're a minority.
9
16.36%
Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll

The Wilhelm scream

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-19-13 | 01:32 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
The Wilhelm scream

It's a scream we've heard for years. It's recognizable and it can be irritating.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Mn3qROqDwgI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've mostly ever thought about the scream as just a thing for movies to use cuz It's corny, funny, or whatever. Has had a nice fun life. Rocshemp though brought up that he hated it. Which made me think. Well...do I hate it? Or when do I hate it? Do I even like it?

I KNOW the earliest memory I have of that scream is from Batman Returns. It stood out to me as a kid. Just...sounds so different from all the other screams that one can hear. Stood out pretty good for me. It's used a lot.

So after Rocshemp's statement, I started to kind of self analyse my experiences with it.

In the historical sense, I do like it. It's fun to see stuff like that still used. Even be iconic after all these years.

In the use of it though I am a bit more critical. Certain films fit it and some don't. To me it all breaks down to the tone and visual of the film. Can such a scream exist in the context of the film text? A weird question but yeah. It works really good in the SW (the orignals cuz I can't remember the prequels well...thankfully) and IJ films due to the tonal nature or visual design involved with them at times. Same goes for Team America and Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit. It works in there based on the design of films.


It's fun to see an audience recognize it. It's hit the pop culture consciousness of it's overuse.

Having seen The Hobbit part 2, I didn't like it's use in there. It doesn't fit it's design for me. Though it worked in Jackson's Kong. Bothered me in Man of Steel. Just didn't mesh for me. It stood out as distracting element. It is overused and probably abused much more than it needs to be for filmmakers to be cheeky about it.

Anyway...do you like the Wilhelm scream?
Old 12-19-13 | 01:42 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 17,000
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
From: MA
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Way overplayed. It was funny when it showed up occasionally, but now it's in literally everything including dumb kids movies. I always liked the Howie scream more.
Old 12-19-13 | 02:19 PM
  #3  
Why So Blu?'s Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 40,399
Received 1,763 Likes on 1,341 Posts
From: Los Angeles
Re: The Wilhelm scream

It was used in ROTK, too.
Old 12-19-13 | 02:21 PM
  #4  
Hokeyboy's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,853
Received 1,041 Likes on 621 Posts
From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Re: The Wilhelm scream

If you don't know it exists, you never hear it.

If people point it out to you, you hear it all the time.

CONCLUSION: Wipe everyone's memory.
The following users liked this post:
rennervision (04-08-23)
Old 12-19-13 | 02:27 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Originally Posted by Hokeyboy
If you don't know it exists, you never hear it.

If people point it out to you, you hear it all the time.

CONCLUSION: Wipe everyone's memory.
I know it exists, but I never notice it. People point it out, and I forget about it and still never notice it.
Old 12-19-13 | 02:30 PM
  #6  
Groucho's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 71,383
Received 130 Likes on 92 Posts
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I almost never notice it.
Old 12-19-13 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
EddieMoney's Avatar
RIP
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,981
Received 79 Likes on 54 Posts
From: Paradise, USA
Re: The Wilhelm scream

It was used very effectively in "Yor, the Hunter from the Future."
Old 12-19-13 | 03:22 PM
  #8  
GoldenJCJ's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 32,742
Received 4,835 Likes on 3,026 Posts
From: Colorado
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I notice it a lot. It's a bit overused but it doesn't bother me in most circumstances. When it's used in more serious movies/scenes is when it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I must have first noticed it in Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies because that's what I associate it with the most.
Old 12-19-13 | 03:37 PM
  #9  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Chicago
Re: The Wilhelm scream

It's like catching a CRM114, TK421, A113, 1138, 42 or 19 reference: a little inside joke for those paying attention.
Old 12-19-13 | 04:03 PM
  #10  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,110
Received 28 Likes on 19 Posts
From: Trencher's Farm
Re: The Wilhelm scream

It's become a lttle self - aware and overused, but I still enjoy hearing it when it happens.
Old 12-19-13 | 04:05 PM
  #11  
Pointyskull's Avatar
DVD Talk Reviewer
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,835
Received 52 Likes on 44 Posts
From: Formerly known as "12thmonkey"/Frankfort, IL
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Heard it while watching 'Bounty Killer' and I chuckled warmly...
Old 12-19-13 | 04:12 PM
  #12  
The Valeyard's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 10,800
Received 84 Likes on 51 Posts
From: Building attractions one theme park at a time.
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I use to love it. Now I can't stand it. It takes me right out of the movie/show the second I hear it.

The joke's old and needs to be put out to pasture.
Old 12-19-13 | 04:37 PM
  #13  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,540
Received 51 Likes on 40 Posts
From: Santa Clara, California
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I still like it.
Old 12-19-13 | 05:45 PM
  #14  
Kal-El's Avatar
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,992
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Fortress of Solitude
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Honestly I only hear it in those compilation videos. When I'm watching the actual movie, I don't notice it. Even AFTER seeing the scenes in the videos.
Old 12-19-13 | 05:52 PM
  #15  
Sonic's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 19,353
Received 347 Likes on 247 Posts
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I can relate with the scream because that's exactly how I sound when I bust a nut.
Old 12-19-13 | 06:07 PM
  #16  
Paul_SD's Avatar
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,822
Received 88 Likes on 64 Posts
From: Hiking the Sisyphian trail
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I never notice it. I probably also don't watch enough of the kinds of films that would use need to use it.
Old 12-19-13 | 06:11 PM
  #17  
Giantrobo's Avatar
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 65,293
Received 2,699 Likes on 1,600 Posts
From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I'm aware of it but it doesn't bother me.
Old 12-19-13 | 06:53 PM
  #18  
Mondo Kane's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,990
Received 258 Likes on 207 Posts
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Didn't mind it at first, but once it was used on a main character (Buzz Lightyear) the hatred suddenly grew.
Old 12-19-13 | 07:35 PM
  #19  
fumanstan's Avatar
DVD Talk Godfather
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55,349
Received 27 Likes on 15 Posts
From: Irvine, CA
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I don't mind it. Don't notice it that often really.
Old 12-19-13 | 11:03 PM
  #20  
BuckNaked2k's Avatar
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,174
Received 43 Likes on 33 Posts
From: Hartford, CT
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Always good for a chuckle. I noticed it in Hobbit I.
Old 12-19-13 | 11:15 PM
  #21  
Charlie Goose's Avatar
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 20,195
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
From: Sesame Street (the apt. next to Bob's)
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I prefer this one:

Old 12-19-13 | 11:58 PM
  #22  
Josh-da-man's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 49,447
Received 4,489 Likes on 2,953 Posts
From: The Bible Belt
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Hate it. It's became way overused and stands out too much.

Blargh!
Blargh!
Blargh!
Blargh!
Old 12-20-13 | 07:23 AM
  #23  
arminius's Avatar
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,967
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Here I Is!
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Originally Posted by Charlie Goose
I prefer this one:

Me too.
Old 12-20-13 | 07:46 AM
  #24  
A-aron's Avatar
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Formerly known as achau9598 - Baltimore, MD
Re: The Wilhelm scream

I hear it all the time ... it is in the new Twix commercial
Old 12-20-13 | 08:22 AM
  #25  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,774
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: The Wilhelm scream

Originally Posted by The Valeyard
I use to love it. Now I can't stand it. It takes me right out of the movie/show the second I hear it.

The joke's old and needs to be put out to pasture.
Sums up my thoughts exactly. Might as well have the words "Remember. This is just a movie." flash on the screen.


Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.