Questions
Who made Dazed and Confused and when did it come out?
It was written and directed by Richard Linklater and released on September 24, 1993.
When and where is the movie set?
It takes place on the last day of school, May 28, 1976, in an unnamed Texas town, following interconnected groups of teenagers.
Is that really Matthew McConaughey, and was this his big break?
Yes, McConaughey played David Wooderson and it became his breakout role. The part was originally small and he was still a University of Texas film student when he was cast.
How did McConaughey end up in the film?
He reportedly approached casting director Don Phillips at a Hyatt hotel bar after learning Phillips had cast Sean Penn. Linklater initially thought McConaughey was too handsome for the role.
Where did the famous "alright, alright, alright" line come from?
McConaughey improvised it during the Top Notch Hamburgers scene, reportedly recalling Jim Morrison repeating the word on a live recording. It became his signature catchphrase.
Which other future stars are in the cast?
The ensemble included Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey, Renee Zellweger, Joey Lauren Adams, Anthony Rapp, Jason London as "Pink" Floyd, and Wiley Wiggins.
Was Ben Affleck almost not the bully?
Vince Vaughn was reportedly considered for the bully Fred O’Bannion before the role went to Affleck.
Where does the title Dazed and Confused come from?
It is named after the opening line of a Jim Morrison live recording that McConaughey referenced.
Any wild on-set stories?
Real mustard and ketchup were used for the girls’ hazing scene because no acceptable substitute existed, and Parker Posey improvised her line "wipe that face off your head," which reportedly came from a mistranslation of a Bertolt Brecht play.
What happened with McConaughey during filming?
His father died during production. He reportedly left briefly for the funeral, then returned to shoot his scenes.
How big a deal was the soundtrack?
Nearly 10 percent of the budget went to music rights, and Linklater made character-specific mixtapes for the actors. The soundtrack featured 1970s rock from Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Foghat, and others.
Why is there no Led Zeppelin "Rock and Roll" in the film?
Linklater reportedly tried to win over Jimmy Page with LaserDiscs and emotional appeals, but Robert Plant refused permission, so the song was not used.
Was it a hit when it came out?
Not really. On a $6.9 million budget it made about $8.2 million at the box office, an initial commercial disappointment, though it later became a cult classic.
How is the film regarded now?
It holds a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and an 82 on Metacritic, and Quentin Tarantino included it on his 2002 list of the 10 greatest films of all time.
Is there a sequel?
Linklater’s 2016 film Everybody Wants Some!! is considered a spiritual sequel, set at a Texas college in 1980.
