Film Lens
Bill W. is a biographical film about William Griffith Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Directed by Dan Carracino and Kevin Hanlon, the film features interviews with recovering alcoholics, who are filmed in dark shadows to protect their identities. It also includes dramatic reenactments, with Blake J. Evans portraying Wilson, to visualize significant events in his life.
The production faced challenges due to the scarcity of visual material and living individuals who knew Wilson. The filmmakers managed to find rare archival footage and unpublished photographs, enriching the narrative. The film premiered in select theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on May 18, 2012, after screening at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
Why Watch
- •See rare archival footage of Bill Wilson.
- •Meet recovering alcoholics sharing their stories.
- •Find out about Wilson's impact on addiction recovery.
Did You Know
•Bill W. received a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 18 critics.
•The PBS version aired in September 2016 and won an Emmy in 2017.
•Blake J. Evans portrays Bill Wilson in the film.
•The film has a duration of 104 minutes.
Perfect For
Alcoholism recoveryBiographical documentariesHistorical figures