Bill W (2012) Documentary
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Bill W (2012) Documentary
I watched this last night...
Not the most riveting documentary I have seen but it did give insight into the founding of AA and the man himself with plenty of footage/audio/letters and interviews with himself and others.
Personally what I took from it was that for all his spirituality, support, drive, success, adoration, loving relationships, extensive use of entheogens etc the man was still fallible. He still suffered from bouts of depression in recovery. It made me realize that the struggle is indeed real, it doesn't matter who you are or that you haven't succeeded yet, it doesn't necessary mean we have failed either. I found it inspiring in that sense.
Anybody seen it?
Bill W. tells the story of William G. Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, a man included in TIME Magazine's "100 Persons of the 20th Century." Interviews, recreations, and rare archival material reveal how Bill Wilson, a hopeless drunk near death from his alcoholism, found a way out of his own addiction and then forged a path for countless others to follow. With Bill as its driving force, A.A. grew from a handful of men to a worldwide fellowship of over 2 million men and women - a success that made him an icon within A.A., but also an alcoholic unable to be a member of the very society he had created. A reluctant hero, Bill Wilson lived a life of sacrifice and service, and left a legacy that continues every day, all around the world.
Not the most riveting documentary I have seen but it did give insight into the founding of AA and the man himself with plenty of footage/audio/letters and interviews with himself and others.
Personally what I took from it was that for all his spirituality, support, drive, success, adoration, loving relationships, extensive use of entheogens etc the man was still fallible. He still suffered from bouts of depression in recovery. It made me realize that the struggle is indeed real, it doesn't matter who you are or that you haven't succeeded yet, it doesn't necessary mean we have failed either. I found it inspiring in that sense.
Anybody seen it?
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Originally Posted by Stratman1 
Thanks. I read some of the reviews, some were mixed.
Theres a theatrical movie also 'My Name is Bill W' buy I haven't seen that one.
Theres a theatrical movie also 'My Name is Bill W' buy I haven't seen that one.
My Name Is Bill W. (TV Movie 1989) - IMDb
(Best flick I saw on the subject of alcoholism was "Drunks")
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I'm a little too familiar with subject having lived with it for over half my life now! Save for a break of a few years.
Yeah I have encountered his name a few times while reading about LSD psychotherapy and the like, another brief obsession of mine.
He seemed like a good man? I mean, I definitely see us lot as people who need help as opposed to punishment. Then again, I would do wouldn't I...
Yeah I have encountered his name a few times while reading about LSD psychotherapy and the like, another brief obsession of mine.
He seemed like a good man? I mean, I definitely see us lot as people who need help as opposed to punishment. Then again, I would do wouldn't I...
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I did watch this awhile back - Bill W struggled, yes.
I do attend AA and what I take from it today ( things change - go figure) is that it's kind of a cook book. Some dishes I really like, others - if I make them - I add some different spices.
There is no telling how many people's lives he and his friends changed and saved.
We should all be so inspirational
I do attend AA and what I take from it today ( things change - go figure) is that it's kind of a cook book. Some dishes I really like, others - if I make them - I add some different spices.
There is no telling how many people's lives he and his friends changed and saved.
We should all be so inspirational
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Having read he Cheever book Bill Wilson fit AA's description of the "dry drunk" Discontented, irritable, self-pitying, unhappy…he wasn't "sober", at least not what some in AA would imagine "sober" is.
Nevertheless, Bill Wilson was the driving force behind the creation and growth of AA, and the result is that millions of people are recovering from Alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, etc. There is no denying his contribution.
He truly deserves being named Time Magazine's top one hundred people of the last century
Nevertheless, Bill Wilson was the driving force behind the creation and growth of AA, and the result is that millions of people are recovering from Alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, etc. There is no denying his contribution.
He truly deserves being named Time Magazine's top one hundred people of the last century
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Originally Posted by Ken33xx
Having read he Cheever book Bill Wilson fit AA's description of the "dry drunk" Discontented, irritable, self-pitying, unhappy…he wasn't "sober", at least not what some in AA would imagine "sober" is.
Nevertheless, Bill Wilson was the driving force behind the creation and growth of AA, and the result is that millions of people are recovering from Alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, etc. There is no denying his contribution.
He truly deserves being named Time Magazine's top one hundred people of the last century
Nevertheless, Bill Wilson was the driving force behind the creation and growth of AA, and the result is that millions of people are recovering from Alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, etc. There is no denying his contribution.
He truly deserves being named Time Magazine's top one hundred people of the last century
A saying springs to mind "We often end up trying to teach that which we most need to learn ourself" Which can be true.
I even did a quick google of the words 'AA' and 'Conspiracy' for old times sake! (another past obsession/escape of mine). Plenty of links again, but I don't believe any of it.
If AA helps people quit drinking then its a noble endeavor. If I was still driving however, I would have surely went down this road! Thats the stinkin' thinkin' part right there, haha
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I've seen both the "Bill W" documentary and the movie "My name is Bill W". Both of them were interesting and informative to me.
The best (at least to me) documentary on alcoholism that I've seen so far was Lipstick and Liquor. It's about women, but not really anything too specific for women vs men or anything too feminine, more just an emphasis on women characters suffering in silence and/or within their families. I really like how this film is done and builds up, there is a bit of suspense in it. It's available to rent for a few bucks on Amazon.
The best (at least to me) documentary on alcoholism that I've seen so far was Lipstick and Liquor. It's about women, but not really anything too specific for women vs men or anything too feminine, more just an emphasis on women characters suffering in silence and/or within their families. I really like how this film is done and builds up, there is a bit of suspense in it. It's available to rent for a few bucks on Amazon.
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Funny, I was listening to Joe and Charlie today.
They talked about cooking and recipes as well.
So you taste a cake. You ask the person who made it, what is the recipe. He/She gives you the recipe. Now if you change it around, do 3 cups of sugar instead of 1, 2 table spoons of salt, instead of 4 and so on. You aint going to get the same cake.
So why on gods green earth would you gamble your life, and mix and match and wing it?
I learned the history of AA a very long time ago. But this movie would be good to get and watch, put it in my library.
They talked about cooking and recipes as well.
So you taste a cake. You ask the person who made it, what is the recipe. He/She gives you the recipe. Now if you change it around, do 3 cups of sugar instead of 1, 2 table spoons of salt, instead of 4 and so on. You aint going to get the same cake.
So why on gods green earth would you gamble your life, and mix and match and wing it?
I learned the history of AA a very long time ago. But this movie would be good to get and watch, put it in my library.
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A recipe? Sometimes you are trying to make the wrong thing and no matter how you try, it isn't going to work. Especially if you are out of flour and sugar. If you are out of flour and sugar, maybe what you could make instead is a nice pot of chicken soup.
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Originally Posted by Flynbuy
...I do attend AA and what I take from it today ( things change - go figure) is that it's kind of a cook book. Some dishes I really like, others - if I make them - I add some different spices.
Some close to BW began to make a god of AA and sometimes a god of BW. After a while, because Bill was not a god, or even a saint, but a human being with his own struggles, these men became furious. (My Name is Bill pg. 244)
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A bit on BW depression:
In the face of his depression, BW did something that was startlingly unconventional for the time, and especially unorthodox for the man who had written that the program of AA would rocket its followers into another dimension. Twice a week he visited psychiatrist Dr. Trebout, a fan of AA who understood that the "new happiness" promised in the 12-steps of AA did not necessarily preclude other psychological problems. (My Name is Bill Pg. 183)
In the face of his depression, BW did something that was startlingly unconventional for the time, and especially unorthodox for the man who had written that the program of AA would rocket its followers into another dimension. Twice a week he visited psychiatrist Dr. Trebout, a fan of AA who understood that the "new happiness" promised in the 12-steps of AA did not necessarily preclude other psychological problems. (My Name is Bill Pg. 183)
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Originally Posted by Ken33xx
A bit on BW depression: In the face of his depression, BW did something that was startlingly unconventional for the time, and especially unorthodox for the man who had written that the program of AA would rocket its followers into another dimension. Twice a week he visited psychiatrist Dr. Trebout, a fan of AA who understood that the "new happiness" promised in the 12-steps of AA did not necessarily preclude other psychological problems. (My Name is Bill Pg. 183)
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Tall Poppy syndrome is a very real phenomenon, especially where I am from - as a nation, we are renowned for it.
I looked at some Bill W/AA stuff online again today. Lots of people having bad things to say about AA, which is one thing. People today who are deriding the man himself however, that makes no sense to me.
Interesting point you make. Are there any saints left? I doubt it. We all have our struggles in life. He seemed reluctant to adopt that position based on what I seen anyway, though he wasn't very shy of the camera or microphone either mind.
Have you heard of the book 'Distilled Spirits'? Its about Wilson, Huxley and Gerald Heard. There was a little clip of Gerald Heard speaking about LSD which I rather enjoyed tbh I'm not familiar with the guy
I looked at some Bill W/AA stuff online again today. Lots of people having bad things to say about AA, which is one thing. People today who are deriding the man himself however, that makes no sense to me.
Originally Posted by Ken33xx
Which is the way BW would have wanted it. Find your own way within AA. Wilson continued to add "spices" and for a time loved LSD urging everyone he knew to try it. ( My Name is Bill pg. 241.) He sought the help of a psychiatrist and later would extoll the virtues of niacin to anyone who would listen.
Some close to BW began to make a god of AA and sometimes a god of BW. After a while, because Bill was not a god, or even a saint, but a human being with his own struggles, these men became furious. (My Name is Bill pg. 244)
Some close to BW began to make a god of AA and sometimes a god of BW. After a while, because Bill was not a god, or even a saint, but a human being with his own struggles, these men became furious. (My Name is Bill pg. 244)
Have you heard of the book 'Distilled Spirits'? Its about Wilson, Huxley and Gerald Heard. There was a little clip of Gerald Heard speaking about LSD which I rather enjoyed tbh
I'm not familiar with the guy
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