Strictly Ballroom (1992)

A maverick dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

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

Stars:

Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 18 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer, but much to the chagrin of the Australian ballroom dance community, Scott believes in dancing "his own steps". Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the audacity to ask to be Scott's partner after his unorthodox style causes his regular partner to dance out of his life. Together, these two misfits try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, "there are no new steps!"

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Plot Keywords:

dance | film projector | face slap | woman crying | clipboard | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ballroom - Gara di ballo

Filming Locations:

Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$11,738,022 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

M & A, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Beyond Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Baz Luhrmann:  the guy whom Scott pushes past while looking for Fran at the Pan Pacifics; he is carrying a silver dress over his shoulder.

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Goofs

During one of the dancing on the roof scenes, a crew member's head can be seen.

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Quotes

Barry Fife: There are no new steps!

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Connections

Referenced in The Night Club of Your Dreams: The Making of 'Moulin Rouge' (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Londonderry Air"
traditional
Arranged by David Hirschfelder
(c) T.W.O./Polygram Music Publishing

User Reviews

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.