Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Baz Luhrmann (original idea)
Baz Luhrmann (earlier screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

There's something in the air. It might be love -- but it isn't.

Plot:

Brave new steps put Scott's career in jeopardy. With a new partner and determination, can he still succeed?

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Mock Documentary | Australia | Ballroom Dancing | Spoof

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 17 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Paul Mercurio	...	Scott Hastings
Tara Morice	...	Fran
Bill Hunter	...	Barry Fife
Pat Thomson	...	Shirley Hastings
Gia Carides	...	Liz Holt
Peter Whitford	...	Les Kendall
Barry Otto	...	Doug Hastings
John Hannan	...	Ken Railings
Sonia Kruger	...	Tina Sparkle
Kris McQuade	...	Charm Leachman
Pip Mushin	...	Wayne Burns
Leonie Page	...	Vanessa Cronin
Antonio Vargas	...	Rico
Armonia Benedito	...	Ya Ya
Jack Webster	...	Terry

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | South Africa:PG | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

M & A

Trivia:

Fran's house was a set built on to an existing railway station. In the most expensive shot in the entire film, a train was hired to pass by the house twice. Once, a real food inspector came onto the set and demanded paperwork because he thought it was a real shop.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Doug Hastings begins improvising new steps in the flashback, there is a great deal of glitter on the floor in the close-up, but the floor is clean in the full-body shots.

Quotes:

Liz: I knew you'd come to your senses!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dancing with the Stars: (#8.7)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

The Blue Danube Waltz

A fun movie with a great message

This is a very stylized film, a lot of fun, a lot of great dancing. Some of the costumes and performances, within the scope of the plot, are almost painful, yet appropriate. And the upshot of the whole thing is a message we wish we could all live by, every day. I relate to the ugly duckling storyline, and also enjoy the attractive male star! There are characters you love to hate and those who step up when you didn't think they would. The flashbacks are very quirky/funny. I'm sure in Australia this ballroom dancing stuff is taken deadly seriously, so Luhrman probably took a hit for lampooning it the way he does. But the whole thing is a good time that ends up having unexpectedly warm, deep meaning, and not many movies these days can say that.