The Wilhelm scream is a repeatedly used film and television stock sound effect first used in 1951 for the film Distant Drums.[1]
The Wilhelm scream has been featured in many films, television programs,and video games since. Alongside a certain recording of the cry of the Red-tailed Hawk, the Universal telephone ring, the Goofy holler, the Tarzan yell and "Castle thunder", it is probably one of the best-known cinematic sound clichés, as it has been used in over 130 films. [2]
The Wilhelm's revival came from Star Wars series sound designer Ben Burtt, who tracked down the original recording (which he found as a studio reel labeled "Man being eaten by alligator"). Although the identity of the individual who recorded the scream (which was actually one of a series of six) is unknown, Burtt uncovered documentation suggesting the scream might have been recorded by singer Sheb Wooley, who was one of the actors in Distant Drums. Burtt named the scream after "Pvt. Wilhelm", a minor character who emitted the same scream in the 1953 film The Charge at Feather River. [3] Of course, the scream itself has not been limited to English-language films and television shows either: several anime, including Island of Assassins, Sailor Moon S: Hearts in Ice, Macross, and Ranma ½, have featured at least one Wilhelm scream. It has also been used in video games.
