Bill and Ted's Excellent Case (1989)
Last year, we devoted the entire month of August to adventure. So, we’re starting off August 2022 with a film about the most excellent adventure of all!
In the Spring of 1987, director Stephen Hereck and the rest of the production team fought to get their film finished. It was a time-traveling buddy comedy with off-beat jokes called Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Facing all sorts of problems, the movie almost never came to be. But, not only did it make it to the big screen, it achieved cult classic status as one of the most beloved time travel films of all time!
So, hop in the phone booth with us as we regale you with the most bodacious history of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure!
SUMMARY
Bill S Preston Esq and Ted (Theodor) Logan are two best friends trying to break into the world of rock. When Ted’s father threatens to send his son to military school due to poor grades, the two boys do everything they can to get an A on their final history project. When all seems lost, a man named Rufus from the year 2688 comes to the rescue in a time machine/phone booth. It turns out the fate of the future depends on Bill and Ted staying together, so Rufus was sent back to 1988 to make sure that the boys passed history. Bill and Ted fly through history and gather important figures from the past, from Napoleon to Abraham Lincoln, and set out to give the greatest history presentation of all time.
MAKING OF
If Bill and Ted seem like great friends, it’s because they were created by great friends. As young men, writers Chris Matheson and Ed Soloman rented a stage one night a week to practice their improv and stand-up. After several months, they developed the characters Bill S Presten Esq. and Ted (Theodor) Logan. Together, they developed a 7-minute sketch starring their characters. It was Chris Matheson’s father, screenwriter Richard Matheson, that suggested that it would make a great film!
The two didn’t expect to become screenwriters, but in 1983, they put together a hilarious story about their characters’ exploits through time. In 1984, however, the writers were fired from their agents.
The original spec script included a lot of details that either didn’t make it into the film, or were re-worked for the story. For example, the film was originally Bill and Ted’s Time Van, and featured an intelligent canine named DogRufus. At one point, they met a caveman and lit a joint on his fire. In another scrapped scene, the boys left a jock and his friends stranded in the ancient Egyptian desert.
Eventually, the van was swapped out for a phone booth. Many have speculated that this was a reference to Doctor Who, but according to the writers, they weren’t even aware of Doctor Who at the time.
By the time the screenplay got to director Stephen Hereck, it had been circulating in Hollywood for years. Hereck nearly fell out of his chair laughing, and he knew that the film had the potential to be a flop or a huge success–nothing in between.
Warner Brothers picked up the screenplay in 1985 and wanted to make the movie for $10 million dollars, but the budget never seemed to be enough. Dino De Laurentiis, legendary film producer who funded classics like Dune and Firestarter, stepped in.
Principal production started in the Spring of 1987, with Stephen Hereck directing. He had only directed one other film before sitting in the director’s chair for Bill and Ted. It was a successful low-budget sci-fi comedy called Critters.
Hereck imagined an Abbott and Costello dynamic with his main actors, and auditioned 200 to 300 actors for the parts.
Keanu Reeves was an early stand-out for the role of Ted. He nailed the likability of the character early on, and would read his lines with a quizzical look on his face. He walked the line between goofy and sincere, and approached the role as if Ted was a real person and not a caricature. For Bill, the casting directors narrowed the field to 24 hopefuls, ultimately casting Alex Winter. The two boys had already met on set and had a lot in common. They came from similar backgrounds and had shared interests, so their chemistry flourished on screen.
According to Alex Winter, the boys constantly switched roles in the final days of auditions, leading Keanu to believe that he was playing Bill. He was reportedly sad to discover he was in fact playing Ted, though that wore off fairly quickly.
Stephen Hereck wanted a Monty Python approach to the history displayed in the film. This wasn’t meant to be a serious period piece, but a rather goofy portrayal of the world’s history. They hired Roy Forge Smith, the production designer for many Monty Python films. He was able to bring the same kind of comedic aesthetic to this film as well.
Filming lasted for about 10 weeks, including two weeks spent in Italy. This included the scenes where Bill and Ted meet two princesses.
The characters Bill and Ted reside in San Dimas, California. Solomon and Matheson chose it because they saw it as kind of the middle of nowhere. The pair used to drive past it on their way to gamble in Vegas. It wasn’t a beach or Valley town which gave it a commonplace look.
A lot of the movie was filmed in Arizona because it has a similar look and feel to California. It was the perfect backdrop and was close enough to California that if there were any issues with equipment, it could be easily sent back to or from the Golden State.
Perpetual Motion Pictures created the VFX for when the dudes travel on the circuits of time.
While the film was in post-production, Dino De Laurentiis’ production company filed for bankruptcy. At this point, the production team only had a rough cut to send to different studios. It appeared that no one wanted the film, with producers asking questions like, “are there really kids that talk like this?”
The rough cut was 2 hours and 25 minutes long, with an original “underwhelming” ending and an opening musical number.
The problem with the ending was that it felt anticlimactic and small. The boys made it back to present their history project to a classroom of about 9 kids, and then took the princesses they met on their travels to the prom. The actors even said that when they were filming it, they knew the ending was a dud. They were given another chance, though, and re-shoot the presentation as a big theater production.
The dance number in question took place at the bus stop as Bill and Ted were on their way to school. While Keanu Reeves has no recollection of the scene, Alex Winter remembers rehearsing for it for weeks.
A couple of people from Laurentiis’ company moved to Nelson entertainment, and the post production was completed there. After incredibly successful test screenings, Orion Pictures agreed to distribute Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
THE STORY AND CHARACTERS
After learning that Ted will be sent to military school if he doesn’t ace his history final, the boys hit the books. Shortly after, they decide to take a break at their local Circle K. As they sit there contemplating their futures, a man appears in a phone booth. His name is Rufus and he’s played by legendary comedian George Carlin.
Casting Rufus proved to be one of the biggest challenges during thor seemingly doomed production. Filming had already begun before they found the right person for the part. Names like Sean Connery and Ringo Starr were thrown into the mix, with Connery being an obvious tie to Time Bandits. A couple of producers that had worked with George Carlin in the past recommended him for the part. It made sense to hire a comedian, so they offered him the part.
Carlin took the role very seriously and for the most part kept to the scripted lines with no improvisations. Every once in a while he’d come up with a witty remark, but he would never deliver it without permission. Overall, he defied their expectations as a comedic actor.
Once our righteous duo uses the phone booth, they find themselves in the time of Napoleon Bonapart, played by Terrance Camilleri. As the boys travel back to 1988, Napoleon accidentally hitches a ride on the phone booth! They leave Napoleon in the care of Ted’s younger brother, played by Frazier Bain.
While visiting San Dimas, Napoleon goes to a water park called “Waterloo.” The name of the park was changed for the film, but production couldn’t afford to close the park for filming. So, all the people in the background are not paid extras, but actual water park guests!
The next destination for our heroes is New Mexico in 1879, where they encounter Billy the Kid
Played by Dan Shor, who you may recognize as also playing Ram in Tron.
After the phone booth lands between two outhouses in 1879, Bill and Ted joyfully order beers without being carded.
It’s in this saloon that we meet Billy the Kid. They then volunteer to play poker with Billy, letting him take whatever they win. In real life there are not very many pictures of Billy, but one thought to be of him has him playing cards with three other men. This is replicated when Bill and Ted are there.
When labeled as cheating, Billy, Bill, and Ted all flee to the phone booth to get away.
After meeting a famous outlaw, the boys went even farther in the past to Greece in the time of Socrates.
Played by Tony Steedman, Socrates is in the middle of a lecture when Bill and Ted arrive to “Philosophize” with him. Just as he explains that we are but sand falling through the fingers of time, Ted quotes the Kansas song, “Dust in the Wind.” Socrates understands that the concepts are the same and he happily goes with the boys.
Next, the boys visit 15th century England, but don’t find any historical figures to bring back home. Instead, they meet two princesses and fall in love.
The two characters were played by Diane Franklin and Kimberley Kates. Rufus reunites Bill and Ted with the princesses at the end of the film, and they are actually married in the third Bill and Ted movie!
After their exploits in the past, the phone booth gets damaged and the boys end up in the year 2688. This is where they discover their impact on history.
This is when Bill and Ted first show their famous slow air guitar with the wise words of “Be excellent to each other” and “Party on Dudes.”
Tuck and roll upholstery was used on the walls to give it a futuristic look.
Coming from the future, the boys then head to 1901 Vienna Austria to visit Sigmund Freud
Freud is played by Rod Loomis who is also known for Body Double and The Beastmaster.
The boys pick up Freud as “extra credit” because they have plenty of time. Billy the Kid ropes him and they bring him along.
Next the pair quickly picks up Beethoven, portrayed by Clifford David. He is also known for the movies The Exorcist III and Signs.
According to Ranker.com the costumes within the scene are incredibly accurate. So much so that an Australian fashion historian and consultant, Hilary Davidson, uses it as reference for regency costuming.
After grabbing Beethoven, the boys head to Orleans France in 1429 for Joan of Arc
To continue with the rock influence of the film, Jane Wiedlin from the group “The Go-Gos” played the spirited Joan of Arc. She is a rhythm guitarist and vocalist, and casting directors were happy to see that she looked a lot like the real-life historical figure.
The second-to-last period the boys visit is 1209 to pick up the infamous Genghis Khan
Ghengis Khan was played by Al Leong. In one scene where all the historical figures visit the mall, Genghis Khan picks up a baseball bat because it resembles the clubs and metal sabers used by the Mongols.
During Bill and Ted’s presentation, they say they picked him up in 1269 (get it??).
Finally, the two boys grab one of the most famous figures in American history, Abraham Lincoln. To fetch the former president, they visit the White House in 1863
Played by Robert V. Barron, Abraham Lincoln is the show-stopping part of Bill and Ted’s final presentation when he declares, “Be excellent to each other” and thrusts his arms in the air. Bill and Ted’s triumph is one of the reasons that this film has remained in the public’s memory. It’s a joyous moment that’s difficult to forget.
MUSIC
David Newman composed the score for Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. He’s a prolific composer that’s scored many classic films like The Brave Little Toaster and Tommy Boy.
RECEPTION
With a final budget of about $8.5 million dollars Bill and Ted made just over $40.5 million worldwide! So we could say that people thought it most excellent!! It currently sits at a 6.9 on IMDB, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 50% on Metacritic.
Even during the test screening audiences loved it. It pulled great scores from adults and children.
Roger Ebert in his review for the second film stated, “I missed the enormously popular movie that introduced these characters, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure," and felt myself blessed at the time. But now I'm not so sure. Their "Bogus Journey" is a riot of visual invention and weird humor that works on its chosen sub-moronic level, and on several others as well, including some fairly sophisticated ones.” He gave the second 3 stars!
Still there were of course critics that were not fans. In a 1989 review in The Washington Post, Hal Hinson wrote “If the director, Stephen Herek, has any talent for comedy, it's not visible here. More than anything, the picture looks paltry and undernourished. Even the warts on Lincoln's face look slapped on.”
NOT SO EXCELLENT NEWS
Sadly the Circle K where Bill and Ted went closed this year. Fans had to say goodbye to the famous filming location and in order to do this watched the film on the side of the Circle K.
FUN FACTS
Pauly Shore auditioned for the part of Bill and almost got it, but they chose Alex Winters!
Keanu Reeves obsession with motorcycles continued during this movie. William Robbins who played the football player who yells, "San Dimas High School football rules!" remembers being chastised for letting Keanu ride his motorcycle in between takes.
Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson make an appearance in the film as the waiters that encourage Napoleon to eat the Ziggy Pig ice-cream.
Celebrated guitarist Stevie Salas was George Carlin’s double as he played a riff on an electric guitar. Salas is thought to be one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time.
Nintendo Power Magazine actually gave away the phone booth to a lucky winner as part of a promotion for a Bill and Ted video game.
The film was popular enough that it got an animated series that Winters, Reeves, and Carlin all voiced. It lasted two seasons.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is exactly as advertised. It’s a silly, fun film about two lovable “puppy dog” characters trying their best to pass history class. There’s a genuine quality to the characters and the story, and an unexpected wisdom from two seemingly unintelligent characters. It’s been over 30 years, and this cult classic still delivers just as well as it did in 1988. This film has been most excellent to us, and it has withstood the test of time.