The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Two drag queens and a transsexual get a cabaret gig in the middle of the desert.

Director:

Stephan Elliott

Writer:

Stephan Elliott

Stars:

Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp

Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugo Weaving	...	Anthony 'Tick' Belrose / Mitzi Del Bra
Guy Pearce	...	Adam Whitely / Felicia Jollygoodfellow
Terence Stamp	...	Ralph Waite / Bernadette Bassenger
Rebel Penfold-Russell	...	Logowoman (as Rebel Russell)
John Casey	...	Bartender
June Marie Bennett	...	Shirley
Murray Davies	...	Miner
Frank Cornelius	...	Piano Player
Bob Boyce	...	Petrol Station Attendant
Leighton Picken	...	Young Adam
Maria Kmet	...	Ma
Joseph Kmet	...	Pa
Alan Dargin	...	Aboriginal Man
Bill Hunter	...	Robert 'Bob' Spart
Julia Cortez	...	Cynthia Campos

Storyline

Two drag-queens (Anthony/Mitzi and Adam/Felicia) and a transexual (Bernadette) contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs, a resort town in the remote Australian desert. They head west from Sydney aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla. En route, it is discovered that the woman they've contracted with is Anthony's wife. Their bus breaks down, and is repaired by Bob, who travels on with them.

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Plot Keywords:

bus | desert | drag queen | drag | transsexual | 

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Taglines:

Finally, a comedy that will change the way you think, the way you feel, and most importantly... the way you dress.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sex-related situations and language

Details

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English Filipino

Release Date:

10 August 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las aventuras de Priscilla, reina del desierto

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Box Office

Gross:

£823,293 (UK) (11 November 1994)

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Latent Image Productions Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Due to a heavy filming schedule, lots of filming was done while the entire crew was on the road. But because the bus was such a small set, there was no room for the crew. As such in many scenes, they are actually in shot, hiding under clothes and other props.

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Goofs

When they are in the bar in Broken Hill, Old Shirl comes over and slaps her right hand down on Bernadette's. Then, in the next camera shot, it's her left hand.

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Quotes

Mitzi: [to Felicia] You know, there are two things I don't like about you, Felicia... your face. So how 'bout shutting both of them?

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Crazy Credits

Best Naughty Boy...Matt Inglis

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Connections

Spoofed in The Sweetest Thing (2002)

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Soundtracks

"My Baby Loves Lovin'"
Written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
Performed by White Plains
Published by Dick James Music Ltd
Courtesy The Decca Record Company Ltd

User Reviews

FANTASTIC MOVIE

This film goes down in my books as one of the best. The emotion involved with everything that happens is just heartwrenching. One moment i was laughing the next in tears. I would reccomend this film to anyone who wants a realistic look at gay life in the 80's. It's amazing how narrow minded people can be, but these people show us the true meaning of life, love, fatherhood, and most of all friendship and loyalty. Using humor and good natured prodding of controversial issues, the filmmaker is able to break through the barrier of bias, and get to the core of these three magnificent people. Fantastic Job!

Chris Rogers