History of a Famous Star Wars Scream

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History of a Famous Star Wars Scream

Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday December 23, 2003 @05:54AM from the at-least-he-doesn't-scream-carrie dept.

An anonymous reader writes "There is a very famous scream in Star Wars (Episode IV) that occurs when one of the stormtroopers falls into the Death Star chasm. No doubt all geeks are familiar with this scream, but may not know that it has been used in dozens of other movies and even has a name - "The Wilhelm". There is a fascinating interview (transcript and audio) from NPRs "On The Media" that discusses the now cult-like following and history of this scream."

16 of 470 comments (clear)

That's the sound of their server dying by Gwala · 2003-12-23 05:56 · Score: 5, Funny

That's the sound of their server dying. Linking audio from slashdot? What were they thinking...

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Very famous indeed. by kjba · 2003-12-23 05:56 · Score: 5, Funny

In the Netherlands, the Wilhelm is actually even the national hymne.
Other Famous Screams: by _KiTA_ · 2003-12-23 05:57 · Score: 5, Funny

The SCO scream:

"What the fuck are they smoking?!"

The Goatse.cx scream:

"Aaah! What the hell?!! My ass hurts just LOOKING at that!"

The Windows BSOD scream:

"Ah well, time for a cigarette."
1. Re:Other Famous Screams: by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-23 06:02 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The Windows BSOD scream:
  
  "Ah well, time for a cigarette."
  
  Is that because MS fucked you again?
And to think by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-23 05:58 · Score: 5, Funny

They had to use a fake scream for a guy falling in a chasm? What's next, fake applause during a sitcom?
1. Re:And to think by Lurker+McLurker · 2003-12-23 06:21 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They would have got a far more convincing scream if they had actually thrown an actor down a chasm, but you can't do that these days. Maybe that's why they used an old scream, it comes from the days when you were allowed to harm people in the pursuit of art.
  
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If you dont have speakers, here is a transcript: by Shut+the+fuck+up! · 2003-12-23 05:59 · Score: 5, Funny

Stormtrooper #9: aaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
The Worst Scream Associated With Star Wars by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-23 06:04 · Score: 5, Interesting

Was Luke's scream that was added to the Empire Strikes Back Special Edition, when he falls down the shaft on Bespin after fighting Vader and losing his arm. First of all, it sounds nothing like Luke. Second of all, it changed the entire meaning of the scene where the scream meant Luke's fall was accidental rather than intentional. A guess Lucas never heard of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Single? Your options are endless by PCM2 · 2003-12-23 06:10 · Score: 5, Funny

Let's start with analyzing the sound effects in Star Wars...

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1. Re:Single? Your options are endless by pavon · 2003-12-23 06:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  What's really sad is that this recorded scream is more famous and popular than any of us will ever be. I mean it's bad enough for to be overshadowed by idiot politicians and cardboard actors, but by a scream? That has to be some kind of all-time low :)
What about another famous scream... by Sinter · 2003-12-23 06:15 · Score: 5, Interesting

When I read the title of this article, only one scream came to mind, and I'm sure many of you will remember it. I have heard it used in many places, but the two most notable are these video games:

Dark Forces: Whenever you knock a Storm Trooper off a ledge to his death.

Starcraft: Whenever you select the Academy structure.

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Would it have been this guy? by Jerk+City+Troll · 2003-12-23 06:34 · Score: 5, Funny

This story from Yahoo! News reports:

Man Chops Off Testicle in Dispute with Wife

NAIROBI (Reuters) - A Kenyan man chopped off one of his testicles in a row with his wife and then walked naked to a police station to report the incident, police said on Monday.

Police rushed 26-year-old Stephen Ongala to hospital after he stumbled into their police station in the border town of Busia in western Kenya on Friday bleeding heavily.

"He said he did it because he had had a disagreement with his wife," said deputy police chief Shadrack Maithya. "If we get evidence that he tried to take his life, then we may charge him because it is a criminal offence."

That'd make me scream like that.

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I saw a great video compilation of the Wilhelm... by tinrobot · 2003-12-23 06:34 · Score: 5, Interesting

I was at a Christmas party for a sound studio here in LA, and they had a 20-30 minute video filled with clips of people using that screeam.

It was hilarious and strange - everything from gladiators to aliens, and they were all screaming exactly the same. I really commend the guy who did the research to put it all together.

Dang, I wish I had a copy of that tape.
Re:I saw a great video compilation of the Wilhelm. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-23 07:04 · Score: 5, Informative

http://download.theforce.net/video/wilhelm_48mb.mo v
Re:people keep mentioning doom.. by BiggerBoat · 2003-12-23 07:12 · Score: 5, Informative

Most of those sounds are in Sound Ideas' "The General" 6000 series, copyright 1992.
Re:Wilhalm Skrim by Anonymous Coward · 2003-12-23 07:19 · Score: 5, Funny

You are a sad, sad man. Fortunately, you'll fit right in here.