Wilhelm scream

The Wilhelm scream is a stock sound effect first recorded in 1951 for the movie Distant Drums. It has been featured in dozens of movies since, largely westerns and war movies of the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside a certain recording of the Red-tailed Hawk's cry (the "eagle screech" that has been in use for decades), it is probably the most well-known cinematic sound cliche.

The Wilhelm's revival came from Star Wars Sound Designer Ben Burtt, who tracked down the original recording (which he found as a sudio reel labeled "Man being eaten by alligator"), and named it for a character that emitted it in the 1953 movie Charge at Feather River. Star Wars turned the Wilhelm into something of an in-joke amongst some sound designers of the film industry (especially George Lucas's staff), who continue to try and fit it into movies where they can.

External Links

• The Wilhelm Scream (.WAV file) (http://www.roverandom.com/wilhelm.wav)
• A Wilhelm Scream filmography (http://www.hollywoodlostandfound.net/wilhelm.html)
• Film Sound Cliches (http://www.filmsound.org/cliche/)