When I was in my first couple of months of sobriety (I really don't remember exactly which month due to detoxing, mental fog, etc.) I ordered the movie My Name is Bill W. It was made in 1989 and is about --who else? Bill W., the man responsible for starting AA. I enjoyed watching it and plan on watching it again. You can order it off the big "Bay" or the river site. Hey gals, it has James Garner in it, so there is some eye candy for you!
-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Monday 27th of January 2014 08:48:11 AM
There is one thing about that movie that didn't thrill me....That was the scene Bill W. is struck sober with the white light experience in his hospital bed....From his own story in the Big Book they seem to have left out one important fact....
At the hospital I was separated from alcohol for the last time. Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs of delirium tremens.
There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. (step 3) I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch. (steps 6 and 7) I have not had a drink since.
My schoolmate visited me, and I fully acquainted him with my problems and deficiencies. (step 5) We made a list of people I had hurt or toward whom I felt resentment. (step 4) I expressed my entire willingness to approach these individuals, admitting my wrong. Never was I to be critical of them. I was to right all such matters to the utmost of my ability. (steps 8 and 9)
I was to test my thinking by the new God-consciousness within. Common sense would thus become uncommon sense. (step 10) I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me. Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others. Then only might I expect to receive. But that would be in great measure. (step 11)
My friend promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements.
Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of Light who presides over us all.
These were revolutionary and drastic proposals, but the moment I fully accepted them, the effect was electric. There was a sense of victory, followed by such a peace and serenity as I had never known. There was utter confidence. I felt lifted up, as though the great clean wind of a mountain top blew through and through. God comes to most men gradually, but His impact on me was sudden and profound.
Bill's Story pg 13 - 14
Bill had worked the steps with his friend Ebby before that happened. That is a major detail to leave out of a movie about AA's founder. But I liked the movie BTY....There is a newer one out called Bill W.....More of a documentary....It's awesome....If you get a chance....Check it out.
I remember that part you mentioned, stepchild. I wonder why they left all of that out? Would that be considered the "spiritual awakening" of Bill W.? I will look for the documentary you brought up. There is also another movie that has been out awhile about Bill W.'s wife. I haven't seen that one yet, but want to. I went through a period where I was wanting to watch movies about alcohol addiction. There is also one titled "Drunks" (1995) I saw several months ago. Most of that is about AA meetings and the sharers which attended the meetings at that particular place. It was pretty heavy for me, and I am not sure I would recommend it for someone new in recovery. I am not sure why it bothered me...I think it is maybe because all the sharers were doom and gloom and it seemed all of them had big tragedies which they had either been through or were going through in their lives. It really was not realistic to me because there weren't enough oldtimers sharing the joys of sobriety, stepwork info, etc. and I felt it may be discouraging to some. I did like it for other reasons though, but I don't want to give away all of it in case someone wants to see it.
I remember that part you mentioned, stepchild. I wonder why they left all of that out? Would that be considered the "spiritual awakening" of Bill W.?
That's Hollywood....Makes for good drama. I liked the movie....I think that one part for someone that knows nothing about AA is a little iffy. He might have had a white flash moment...But he clearly worked the steps with his friend Ebby that brought him the solution...Which Bill later brought to Dr. Bob. I have to think about the hopeless alcoholic sitting in his room with the window open...Waiting for a white flash and the wind to blow in....Never to drink again...I don't see that happening too often. I thought Woods and Garner were great....Good movie.....I just knew better.
We sure wouldn't have any need to work the steps. I know priests in AA...If it was a matter of praying ourselves sober....I don't think they'd be there. There is some work involved.
I guess the up side to it would be the sense of accomplishing what at least for me, I thought was the impossible, by working the steps. From what I have heard, we also become more out of ourselves more by working the program. Maybe that white light would have done that for all of us, though, rather than only removing the urge to drink.
Alcoholic priests??? Now that is very sad, but I am glad that some of them are in the program. One of my favorite movies is The Thornbirds (Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward). I was very shocked to see the priest in that movie (Christopher Plummer) pour himself a drink from his "bar". I never knew priests drank except for Communion. (And another disappointment was finding out Richard Chamberlain is gay, because I knew I didn't have a chance with him.) Ha! Talking about being into myself!
Is there another My Name is Bill W. that was released, or are you talking about the documentary stepchild mentioned?
Hey, welcome tcmoon! Good to have you here!
