On This Day

The Big Lebowski released

March 6th 1998

12:16 6 March 2024

'The Big Lebowski' opened in theaters across North America on this day in 1998. Joel and Ethan Coen's Chandleresque crime comedy stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and bowling enthusiast who becomes embroiled in a kidnapping plot after being mistaken for a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). With the assistance of his bowling buddies Walter (John Goodman} and Donny (Steve Buscemi), "The Dude" is drawn into a neo-noir world of deadly intrigue.

Jeff Bridges excels in a career redefining performance and the stellar supporting cast includes terrific performances not just from Goodman and Buscemi but also Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro and Sam Elliott. The movie opened to mixed reviews and performed modestly at the box-office but has since received a more positive critical reception and become a cult classic.

When interviewed about the film, Bridges said “I’m so happy to be in that movie, I pretty much dug it all, man. There’s an aspect of the Dude I aspired to — he’s authentic, isn’t he? He’s who he is, and that’s about it. He’s a lovely cat". When asked how he’d feel if The Dude would turn out to be the role he’d be most remembered for the actors response was “I’d be fucking delighted”. The Dude abides.