Your Thoughts on the Wilhelm Scream

[Flick James]

I'm sure many of you already know this, but the famous "Wilhelm scream" is a stock sound effect from the 1951 film Distant Drums, that has been used in well over 200 films, television shows and video games, which can be heard at the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WilhelmScream.ogg

We've all heard it. It's been used as almost an in-joke. George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Peter Jackson have all used it extensively.

Many people love the use of the Wilhelm scream, but me, I find it annoying. It doesn't bother me that there is a tongue-in-cheek usage of such a thing by filmmakers, just that the sound of the Wilhelm scream gets on my nerves.

Does anybody else get annoyed by the Wilhelm scream. I imagine it's probably just me.

[claws]

I wasn't aware of this. Might have heard it before in a movie and if I did it didn't bother me.

[Criswell]

I like when its subtle and you hardly notice it. Now when its obvious like in Indy 4, or the Two Towers it becomes annoying.

[dean]

Unless its either subtle or a parody, I don't generally think it's worthwhile.  It just smacks of lazy editing to me.  That being said, it's one hell of a scream!

[Mr. DS]

Kinda don't care for it yet don't care about it.  Its been used in some many films I've lost track which ones I've heard it in.  Toy Story comes to mind. I could never immitate that scream on my best day. 

[InformationGeek]

It doesn't bother me, but it sure catches my attention right away in almost any scene where it is used.  Doesn't take me out of the movie, but it distracts me for a second or two when it is used.

[Torgo]

For a quick musical history of the Wilhelm Scream, listen to this! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLp9rf9GRP8

[akiratubo]

I hate it and wish it would go away.

[SPazzo]

I agree with InfoGeek.  It sometimes does distract me when it's used.  Even before I'd ever heard of the Wilhelm Scream, that one scene in Star Wars where the Stormtrooper falls and screams bugged me.  It just seemed so out of place.

[Kaseykockroach]

I prefer this.
http://youtu.be/92LoQ51X8qY

[Mr. DS]

This made me laugh, especially the Titanic sequence...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHXRyTwsTQc&NR=1

[Olivia Bauer]

Funny the first time, hilarious the second, amusing the third, annoying the fourth, excruciatingly over-used the fifth, used to it by the sixth.

It was used 3 damned times in Lord of the Rings.

[Criswell]

Funny the first time, hilarious the second, amusing the third, annoying the fourth, excruciatingly over-used the fifth, used to it by the sixth.

It was used 3 damned times in Lord of the Rings.

Thats not as bad as Star Wars. Which used it 7 times. (if you consider the holiday special is canon)

[WilliamWeird1313]

I much prefer the "Howie Scream." Much more distinctive and memorable, I think. I have fond memories of it appearing in the opening credits of Aaah! Real Monsters, so now when I hear it in a serious, dramatic context, such as someone jumping to their death from a bridge or something, my mind just flash back to that old Nickelodeon cartoon for a half-second and I can't help but be amused by the juxtaposition. The "Wilhelm Scream," honestly, I don't pick up on as much. A lot of time I miss entirely, unless I'm particularly bored by a movie. The "Howie Scream" though never goes unnoticed for me.

[Olivia Bauer]

Funny the first time, hilarious the second, amusing the third, annoying the fourth, excruciatingly over-used the fifth, used to it by the sixth.

It was used 3 damned times in Lord of the Rings.

Thats not as bad as Star Wars. Which used it 7 times. (if you consider the holiday special is canon)

No sir, I don't count the special as canon.... Or as a movie...

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