Summary
The secrets behind the most recognizable sound effect inStar Warshistory have been unveiled. Since the firstStar Warsmovie in release orderin 1977, sound effects have become revolutionized. The franchise is known for its otherworldly sounds, noises, voices, and languages that help invest audiences in a galaxy far, far away, with this set to continue intoupcomingStar Warsmovies. Not only that, but the franchise’s ventures into the small screen mean these sound effects have now become commonplace inStar WarsTV showstoo, with one of the most iconic instances being recognized throughout cinema.
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter,Ben Burrtt, the sound designer of many a Hollywood film, unveiled the secrets behind the Wilhelm Scream. The Wilhelm Scream is difficult to explain, but instantly recognizable to the ear, even to those not versed in the world of cinematic sound design.Star Warsis no stranger to including the Wilhelm Scream, with Burrtt outlining exactly how he became known as the creator of such an easily identifiable sound effect:
“It was a scream I first heard as a child. I recorded it off the television. It was in many of the Warner Bros. films in the 1950s and ’60s. It was a stock scream in their library… Anyway, when I got to USC, there was another student there named Richard Anderson… I told him about the scream… We just joked about it. We included a Wilhelm in a film we did for school and all laughed about it. The naming came out of our discussion…
Later, when… we were mixing at Warner Bros. on the firstStar Warsmovie, I went to their sound library and spoke to the librarian. They didn’t know what a Wilhelm was, because it wasn’t called that, of course, but I was able to find it. So inStar Wars, I stuck it in for a stormtrooper falling into a trench when he gets shot. It was just for my own pleasure. Nobody asked for it. Nobody noticed it. That was it.”
The 10 Funniest Wilhelm Screams In Movies
The most famous Hollywood sound effect of all time is undoubtedly the Wilhelm Scream, which has become a hilarious running gag in many big movies.
The Wilhelm Scream Has Become A Star Wars Legend
The Wilhelm Is Popular In All Cinema, But It Is Iconic In Star Wars
Since the first usage of the Wilhelm Scream by Burrtt in 1977’sStar Wars,it has almost become a legend in the franchise. The scream can be heard in all three original trilogy movies, as well as all three prequel films. Similarly, George Lucas and his team even included the Wilhelm Scream in the animated movieStar Wars: The Clone Wars, before it made its way into eight episodes of the TV show of the same name. Of theStar Warssequels, onlyStar Wars: The Force Awakensincludes the Wilhelm Scream.
That said,Star Wars’recent efforts have revived the Wilhelm Scream. It can be heard in two episodes ofStar Wars Rebelsand two episodes ofThe Book of Boba Fett. Furthermore,Star Wars: The Bad Batchincludes the iconic sound effect in one of its episodes. This is without mentioning the various non-canon stories the Wilhelm Scream can be found in, as well as the various video games that take inspiration from Ben Burrtt’s recognizable sound effect from the very firstStar Warsmovie.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Cast
Star Wars is a seminal science fiction film released in 1977 that follows the quest of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to rescue Princess Leia from the oppressive Imperial forces. They are aided by the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, as they strive to restore peace to the galaxy.
