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IMDbPro

My Name Is Bill W.

  • TV Movie
  • 1989
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
Drama

The story of Bill Wilson and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.The story of Bill Wilson and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.The story of Bill Wilson and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.

  • Director
    • Daniel Petrie
  • Writer
    • William Borchert
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • JoBeth Williams
    • James Garner
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Daniel Petrie
    • Writer
      • William Borchert
    • Stars
      • James Woods
      • JoBeth Williams
      • James Garner
    • 24User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 9 nominations total

    Photos15

    My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and James Garner in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and Gary Sinise in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods, James Garner, and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods, James Garner, and JoBeth Williams in My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
    James Woods and JoBeth Williams at an event for My Name Is Bill W. (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Woods
    James Woods
    • Bill Wilson
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Lois 'Lo' Wilson
    James Garner
    James Garner
    • Dr. Bob
    Gary Sinise
    Gary Sinise
    • Ebby
    George Coe
    George Coe
    • Frank Shaw
    Robert Harper
    Robert Harper
    • Dr. Jeremy Partlin
    Ray Reinhardt
    • Dr. Silkworth
    Fritz Weaver
    Fritz Weaver
    • Dr. Burnham
    Rick Warner
    • Bill D.
    Joe Inscoe
    Joe Inscoe
    • Fred
    Susan Duchow
    • Adele
    Rich Valliere
    Rich Valliere
    • Charley
    Mark Joy
    • Guy Kolb
    William Aylward
    • Controller
    • (as Bill Aylward)
    Richard Travis
    • Stockquoter
    Mike McBlair
    • Mayflower Clerk
    Wally Doyle
    • Mayflower Bartender
    Norman Aronovic
    • Hospital Attendant
    • Director
      • Daniel Petrie
    • Writer
      • William Borchert
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was a Hallmark Hall of Fame production. When it aired on ABC on April 30, 1989, Bill's widow Lois B. Wilson had just died only a few months before. Lois W., co-founder of the Al-Anon Family Groups (for families and friends of problem drinkers), died on October 5, 1988 at age 97.
    • Goofs
      1935 Mayflower Hotel scene has Gershwin's "Love is Here to Stay" playing in background while this song was released in 1938.
    • Quotes

      Bill Wilson: It's like any journey, Fred. It begins with the first step.

    • Connections
      Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Insightful movie; incredible experience
    I was a partly-involved spectator during the filming of the movie, and it was an incredible experience. The quality of the actors was usurped only by their unending interest in the story of Bill W and the important message they were delivering.

    James Garner and James Woods were intensely focused on keeping the story of Dr. bob and Bill as true to form as possible. Jo Beth Williams played Lois Wilson incredibly well; first as a confused wife with no options and a drunkard husband; then as a strong willed but understanding partner for life.

    If anyone has a loved one or knows of a friend whose life is impacted by an alcoholic, then this movie is both an eye opener and an inspiration to keep trying to find a way to fight and deal with the disease.
    helpful•18
    1
    • rpbndc1
    • Nov 15, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 30, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame: My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)
    • Filming locations
      • Richmond, Virginia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Garner-Duchow Productions
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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