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List Price: $12.98 | | Label: Bci / Eclipse
Salesrank: 47663
Released: May 15, 2007 |
| Our Price: $42.99 |
| Used Price: $42.99 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Based on a true story Mickey Rooney portrays Bill a 40-year-old mentally retarded man with an I.Q. of 50 unable to read or write living in the brutal rough and tumble of New York City. He must learn the ways of the city or face going back to the institution in which he spent a better part of his life in. Barry Morrow (Dennisn Quaid) an amateur documentary filmmaker befriends and enables Bill to learn about family and true friendship. Edie McClurg costars. The sequel Bill On his Own also starring Rooney continues the tale of courage strength and understanding as the generous and sensitive Bill becomes independent and self-sufficient.System Requirements:Running Time: 240 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 787364778591
Bill / Bill: On His Own (Double Feature) Reviews:
Very powerful; brings tears to my eyes 
2009-05-02 - For years I managed to get along with a very old VHS copy of the movie "Bill" about a mentally retarded man who spends over 40 years in a mental institution and through the help of a friend manages to find a good life for himself. Now that it is out on DVD (along with the sequal: "Bill On His Own"), I was anxious to own it, as it is one of my favorite movies.
"Bill" is a very heart-warming story. It involves a very human struggle to understand those who are different. It is as much about mental retardation as it is about ourselves and what is important to us, on a human level. Though it was made for TV, I always thought of "Bill" as a powerful and moving story worthy of comparison to any other "big screen" movie. Indeed, it could be Mickey Rooney's BEST performance bar none. The chemistry between Bill's friend Barry (played by Dennis Quaid) and Bill is strong and touching in a very real sense. As a side-line, Barry and his wife Bev reveal how they each struggle to understand Bill. As one is ready to give up on Bill, the other comes through for support.
"Bill: On His Own" was more a curiousity for me. I had not seen it in years since it first aired on TV back in the 1980s, and I don't even remember watching it from the beginning. The sequal (like most sequals) seems to lack some of the magic of the first movie. There are, however, some interesting things going on. A young college student (played by a VERY young Helen Hunt) struggles as she tries to understand what true success means as a person is dealing with people on a human level as opposed to a clinical level. We also get a look at Bill's life in a group home where he lives with a nice old lady (May); a mildly retarted, cynical, sarcastic, but ultimately caring handyman (Kenny); and a moderately retarded woman (Angela). They are, inded, a family and the lady who portayed Angela made such an outstanding performance that I found myself wanting to know more about her character (as well as the others in the group home).
The sequal also explored how the local Jewish community discovers Bill's Jewish background and reaches out to him as a Jew, and even helps him to celebrate his bar-mitzfah (albeit, Bill's understanding of his religious identity remains unclear as he did, in the first movie, recite Christian prayers and is even identified (in the second movie) by his friend May as someone who goes to church with her every Sunday; and although Bill wears a Star of David that the rabbi gave him, he also has a cross in his room.)
After a series of disappointments, Bill's coffee shop burns down, and he goes to visit his old friend Barry in California who manages to help Bill find his inner strength.
The original "Bill" is an OUTstanding movie; it moves along more smoothly and never fails to leave me without a little tear in my eyes. "Bill: On His Own" is a nice sequal, but doesn't quite capture the chemistry and emotional power of the first movie.
I teach a psychology class to high students and I show them the movie "Bill" as we cover the chapter on learning and intelligence which also discusses menatl retardation. Because the high school also has a program for students who are retarded, some of my students do community service with the mentally disabled kids. My students really like watching "Bill" which is quite a testament in that teenagers usually go in for action movies with car-chases and crude jokes.
So glad it's now on DVD!
2008-08-28 - I absolutely love these two "Bill" movies! I viewed them first as a child and had looked and looked for them forever! I saw the old VHS versions selling on EBAY for upwards of $25 a piece and was so thrilled to find it had finally been re-issued on DVD. This is a heartwarming family film that everyone who has compassion for fellow human beings should enjoy. It should be mandatory viewing for children to teach them the beauty of being different. I highly recommend these movies to everyone!
"Bill"
2008-08-20 - I first saw "Bill" in 1981 when it first aired on TV, every once in a while a movie comes along that encourages and gives hope the human spirit. A good friend of mine also saw the move, he was equally moved, and to the puzzlement of our friends and colleagues we began calling each other "Bill" from that day forth. I haven seen or heard from my friend "Bill" in over 25 years until he found me on "Military.com" just a few days ago, the first thing that I thought about was the bond created between the two of us by our mutual Love for the message inspired by the movie "Bill". Needless to say, we are still calling each other "Bill"
Ps. neither of our names is "Bill", however, "Bill" is used as a cherished term of endearment. Also one of us is African American and the other White American ......thanks "Bill"
Finally on DVD! "Bill for short"
2008-06-08 - We loved this made for TV movie since it's premiere in 1981. Mickey Rooney was always a favorite and truly proves his acting ability is still strong in this excellent movie! The sequel (Bill - On his own) is part of this set and makes it a great value for the money!
Very factual / well done
2008-04-28 - The movie gave a real good feeling of accomplishment for the mentally impaired, and showed they can reach their goals in life. Everyone needs support of others, and to be treated with respect for their ideals.
