Like many Americans in the midst of the Great Depression, Bill Wilson was penniless, hopeless and alcoholic, and nearing the point of self-destruction. After profound moments of self-discovery, Bill’s life transforms, and he goes on to form an organization that will help millions and forever change the world’s approach to alcoholism.

Th e story of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a ready-made drama of struggle, courage and love, set against the backdrop of one of the most colorful periods in history that contains Prohibition, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. It is also a story that resonates with anyone who has suff ered from addiction, or knows someone who has. Controversy has always surrounded AA, but few can doubt the huge impact it has had around the world. AA’s original “twelve-step” approach laid the foundation for countless new programs to treat other forms of addiction, such as drug dependency and over-eating. From 1935 till today AA itself has grown to some 100,000 groups in 150 countries. By far the greatest challenge of getting there was growing from one fi lm will be an account of that momentous transformation.