Bill W Film #6...

It's time for another segment of the film Bill W. made shortly before his death about his story of recovery from active alcoholism. While Bill is often seen as a pompous and grandiose man who is often given to flowery language and an indirect style, we must keep in mind that this was a man raised at the turn of the last century in a classic New England town. Until he went to Europe in World War I, Bill had not been outside his native Vermont, and his narrow view of normal life was colored by the clipped speech and quirky mannerisms some old New Englanders had. So, by the time this film was made in the mid-20th century, Bill's character was deeply ingrained with not only a high degree of formality, but also some of the weariness that accompanies having survived near-death experiences several times in his life.

In this 6-minute clip, Bill talks about how Dr. Bob prepared for the last day he performed a surgery with the withdrawals stemming from a real alcohol-induced bender. He concludes it by talking about how he and Dr. Bob carried that first message of the hope for recovery to an alcoholic in a hospital bed, and how that man reacted to the two men whom he said, "Really know the score".

So, sit back and enjoy!

All the best, Roger W.