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

Director:

Stephan Elliott

Writer:

Stephan Elliott (written by)

Release Date:

10 August 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

It's the Australian film that blitzed overseas box offices. It caused a near riot at the Cannes Film Festival. It won an Academy Award (Registeration Symbol). It's fun, daring, over-the-top and unforgettable. It's a road movie with attitude and the occasional frock.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Drag Queen | Desert | Drag | Bus | Cabaret

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Hugo Weaving	...	Tick / Mitzi
Guy Pearce	...	Adam / Felicia
Terence Stamp	...	Bernadette
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	...	Bob
Julia Cortez	...	Cynthia
Daniel Kellie	...	Young Ralph
Hannah Corbett	...	Ralph's Sister
Trevor Barrie	...	Ralph's Father
Ken Radley	...	Frank
Sarah Chadwick	...	Marion
Mark Holmes	...	Benjamin
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tim Chappel	...	Drag-Queen in Barber's Chair (uncredited)
Al Clark	...	Priest (uncredited)
Stephan Elliott	...	Doorman (uncredited)
Lizzy Gardiner	...	Naughty Maid at Hotel (uncredited)
Margaret Pomeranz	...	Adam's Mum (uncredited)
Christian Stead	...	Featured Extra (uncredited)
Nikki Webster	...	Featured Extra (uncredited)

Directed by
Stephan Elliott

Writing credits
Stephan Elliott		(written by)

Produced by
Al Clark	....	producer
Michael Hamlyn	....	producer
Grant Lee	....	tyro producer
Rebel Penfold-Russell	....	executive producer
Sue Seeary	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Guy Gross

Cinematography by
Brian J. Breheny		(director of photography) (as Brian J Breheny)

Film Editing by
Sue Blainey

Production Design by
Owen Paterson

Art Direction by
Colin Gibson

Costume Design by
Tim Chappel
Lizzy Gardiner

Makeup Department
Angela Conte	....	hair stylist
Angela Conte	....	makeup artist
Cassie Hanlon	....	hair artist
Cassie Hanlon	....	key makeup artist
Strykermeyer	....	hair stylist
Strykermeyer	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Rick Kornaat	....	unit manager
Sue Seeary	....	post-production supervisor
Sue Seeary	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stuart Freeman	....	first assistant director
Colin Gibson	....	additional directing
Maria Phillips	....	second assistant director
Jamie Platt	....	third assistant director
Emma Schofield	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Graham Beatty	....	art department electrician
Lyall Beckmann	....	welder
Kerrie Brown	....	props buyer
Jonathan Desprez	....	carpenter
Roz Hinde	....	soft furnishings
John Murch	....	prop maker
Philipa Playford	....	prop maker (as Philippa Playford)
Dougal Thompson	....	carpenter
Yann Vignes	....	art department runner

Sound Department
Steve Burgess	....	foley editor
Tim Colvin	....	assistant sound effects editor (as Tim 'Lobes' Colvin)
Steve Erskine	....	sound coordinator (as Stephen 'The Gherkin' Erskine)
Steve Erskine	....	sound effects editor (as Stephen 'The Gherkin' Erskine)
Simon Hewitt	....	adr recordist (as Simon 'Dionne' Hewitt)
Phil Judd	....	sound mixer
Phil Judd	....	sound supervisor
Gerry Long	....	foley editor
Fiona McBain	....	boom swinger
Angus Robertson	....	dialogue editor (as Angus 'Goose' Robertson)
Grant Shepherd	....	sound: additional recording
Guntis Sics	....	additional sound designer
Guntis Sics	....	sound recordist

Stunts
Robert Simper	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Booth	....	gaffer
Richard Bradshaw	....	assistant: second unit
Michael Gaffney	....	grip assistant
Peter Holland	....	third electric
Matt Inglis	....	best boy
Elise Lockwood	....	still photographer
Ian McAlpine	....	grip
Pat Nash	....	key grip
Bill Ross	....	camera liaison
Adrien Seffrin	....	focus puller
Anna Townsend	....	clapper loader
Martin Turner	....	camera: second unit

Casting Department
Bobbie Pick-up	....	casting: Broken Hill (as Bobbie Pickup)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Brett Cooper	....	wardrobe coordinator
Glenn Lewis	....	gowns: Mr Breheny (as Miss 3D)
Emily Seresin	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Tony Lynch	....	post-production liaison
Karen Psaltis	....	negative matcher
Michael Robertson	....	telecine operator
Ian Russell	....	laboratory liaison: Atlab Australia
Andrew Yunicken	....	assistant editor (as Andy 'Foofy' Yuncken)

Music Department
Robyn Dunn	....	singer: soprano solo
Coralie Hartl	....	orchestra contractor
Phillip Hartl	....	concert master
Simon Leadley	....	music engineer
Sydney Philharmonia Choir	....	music performers
Sydney Symphony Orchestra	....	orchestra
Antony Walker	....	choir director
Diana Williams	....	music clearances: songs
Derek Williams	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Peter Cogar	....	set mechanic
Mark McKinley	....	driver
Tim Parry	....	vehicle coordinator

Other crew
Antonia Barnard	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances Inc.
Libby Blainey	....	title designer
Dave Burge	....	liaison: Coober Pedy
Lorraine Calway	....	insurance broker: Jardine Tolley
Martin Cooper	....	legal representation: Martin Cooper + Co
Kate Dennis	....	continuity
Mark Devereux	....	legal representation: Simon Olswang + Co
Tim Duggan	....	unit assistant
Russell Fewtrell	....	unit assistant
Colin Gibson	....	catering: Sunday
Deb Gwilliam	....	catering assistant
Julia Gwilliam	....	unit nurse
Rick Kornaat	....	location manager
Michael Kuhn	....	big cheese
Catherine Lavelle	....	unit publicist
Grant Lee	....	coordinator: second unit (as Grant D. Lee)
Robyn Lee	....	trainer: tranny
Terry Lee	....	aerial pilot
Paul Malane	....	unit assistant
Frank Mangano	....	unit assistant
John May	....	production accountant
Mark Nancarrow	....	catering assistant
Jo O'Keefe	....	liaison: London office
Jenny Lee Robinson	....	tutor (as Jenny-Lee Robinson)
Esther Rodewald	....	production coordinator
Robert Simper	....	safety supervisor
Kim Steblina	....	liaison: base office
Strykermeyer	....	executive consultant: drag
Mark White	....	choreographer
Clare Wise	....	assistant to producers

Thanks
Martin Armiger	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Maureen Barron	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Graham Bradstreet	....	special thanks: no cream - cherries optional
Caroline Burton	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
David Cipriano	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Sue Cohen	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Kim Dalton	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Ann Darrouzet	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Andrena Finlay	....	extra special thanks: with cream on top
Kim Green	....	special thanks: no cream - cherries optional
Billy Hinshelwood	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Merlyne Jamieson	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Tom Knapp	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Keith Lupton	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Xavier Marchand	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Graeme Mason	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Jane Moore	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Tracey Mulligan	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Owen Paterson	....	acknowledgment: Gloria's Puncture Kit provided by
Aline Perry	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Sarah Radclyffe	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Brian Ross	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Peter Skillman	....	extra special thanks: with cream on top
Kathryn Smith	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener
Stewart Till	....	quite special thanks: hold the sweetener

Production Companies

• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (presents)
• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC) (in association with)
• Latent Image Productions Pty. Ltd. (producer) (as Latent Image)
• Specific Films (producer)
• New South Wales Film & Television Office (produced with the assistance and financial participation of) (as New South Wales Film and Television Office, Sydney, Australia)

Distributors

• Gramercy Pictures (I) (1994) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Meteor Home Video (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• PolyGram Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• Roadshow Entertainment
• Roadshow Home Video
• Sogepaq Distribución (Spain)
• Top Tape (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (Argentina) (video)

Other Companies

• Apocalypse  post production facilities
• Audio Services  audio equipment supplier
• Australian Kite Flyers Society  thanks also to
• Broken Hill Regional Tourist Association  thanks also to
• City Media  thanks also to
• Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory  thanks also to (as Conservation Commission of Northern Territory)
• Continental Mounts Australia  continental mount
• Council of the City of Broken Hill  thanks also to
• District Council of Coober Pedy  thanks also to
• Faith Martin & Associates  additional casting (as Faith Martin & Assoc.)
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Gregory's  reproduced with permission of (map © Universal Press DP194)
• Inchcape Liquor Marketing  thanks also to
• Island Records  soundtrack released by
• Jardine Tolley  insurance broker
• Kings Canyon Resort  thanks also to
• Kodak Australasia  film stock (as Kodak)
• Lasseters Hotel Casino  thanks also to (as Lasseters Hotel / Casino, Alice Springs)
• M.M. Communications  thanks also to
• Manifesto Film Sales  quite special thanks: hold the sweetener (as all at Manifesto)
• Marikes Catering Co.  catering (as Marike's Catering Co.)
• Mario's Palace Hotel  thanks also to (as Mario's Palace Hotel / Motel)
• Martin Cooper & Co.  legal representation (as Martin Cooper Co)
• Mercury Records  soundtrack
• Mr. Youngs  projection
• Mushroom Music Publishing  original music publisher (as Mushroom Music)
• Philips Consumer Electronics  thanks also to
• PhilmSound  digital facilities (as Philmsound)
• Professional Helicopter Services  helicopter
• Quixote Casting  casting: Broken Hill
• Samuelson's Camera Equipment  camera equipment (as Samuelson's)
• Screen Producers Association of Australia  acknowledgment (as SPAA #0438)
• Showtravel  travel coordination
• Simon Olswang and Company  legal representation (as Simon Olswang + Co)
• Singer Australia  thanks also to
• Soundfirm  foley recorded at (as Soundfirm Melbourne)
• Soundfirm  mixed at (as Soundfirm Sydney)
• South Australian Brewing Company Ltd.  thanks also to (as The South Australian Brewing Company Limited)
• TST International  travel coordination (as Trudy Salven Travel International)
• Tracee Cosmetics  thanks also to
• Trackdown Digital  music editing services
• Trackdown Studios  music recorded at
• Transfilm Location Services  make-up/wardrobe truck
• Traveltoo  freight coordination
• Unit One  greenroom (as Unit One Film Services)
• Wo-Man Beauty Products  thanks also to

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Filipino

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:16 | Iceland:L | Netherlands:16 | Peru:14 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

Julia Cortez' debut.

Goofs:

Continuity: Tik is practising their dance routines and he is wearing a green dress and he's got a cigarette in his hand. In one shot the cigarette is there and in the next, which is far away, it's not there.

Quotes:

[First Lines]
[Tick is hit in back of head with beer can, falls]
Felicia: Are you Okay?...
[Felicia grabs mic]
Felicia: Oh that was fucking charming, you gutless pack of dickheads.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Live from Studio Five: (#1.45)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

My Baby Loves Lovin'

A bitchy, gaudy, outrageous, kitsch comedy classic (8/10)

1994 proved to be rather a good year for Australian movies, with both this and MURIEL'S WEDDING delighting international audiences with their cheeky over-the-top humour, panache, pathos, winning performances, and fun soundtracks. Both, of course, heavily featured the music of ABBA (Australia has long had a particular love-affair with the Scandinavian quartet - it was probably no coincidence that it was decided to shoot the group's own feature, ABBA: THE MOVIE, during the Australian leg of their 1977 world concert tour). In MURIEL'S WEDDING the band's music is perhaps treated with more reverence and respect - Muriel Heslop is, after all, a huge fan, and the film itself is of a far more serious, distinctly black nature. PRISCILLA, on the other hand, constantly revels in its own bitchiness and catty humour, and has countless memorable, and in many cases unprintable, lines of dialogue, including stabs at the supergroup - "I've said it once and I'll say it again - no more f***ing ABBA"; "What are you telling me - this is an ABBA turd?" Of course ABBA is merely one of MANY verbal targets for the film's three main protagonists, but far from this alienating us from any of them, we cannot help but be swept along by the sheer garish joy of the entire venture.

The basic plot focuses on recently bereaved transsexual Bernadette (a magnificent, hardly recognizable Terence Stamp), who teams up with two younger drag artistes, sensitive Tick/Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) and screaming queen Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce), so that they can travel half-way across Australia on board an all but dilapidated bus named "Priscilla", in order to perform a cabaret act at a remote casino run by an ex-partner of Tick's, soon revealed to be, horror of horrors, a WOMAN! Along the way they encounter all sorts of absurd situations and individuals almost as strange and unconventional as they themselves are, whilst Bernadette, against her better judgement, falls for gruff mechanic Bob (Bill Hunter, who also features in MURIEL'S WEDDING) that they pick up en route, and in so doing he loses his "mail-order" bride Cynthia (Julia Cortez), who in one especially memorable scene does things with ping-pong balls you just don't want to imagine!

The performances are really the thing here - Terence Stamp (who won numerous accolades for his cast-against-type labours) is amazing and totally credible as the quietly dignified transsexual, and it is hard to believe that Weaving and (especially) Pearce have not worked as flamboyant, lip-synching drag queens all their professional lives! The gaudy, outrageous costumes won a well-deserved Oscar, and the photography of the barren, surreal landscape is also masterful, as is Stephan Elliott's creative direction and hilarious, ultimately poignant script. The soundtrack may not be to everyone's taste, but it has enough camp classics to satisfy anyone yearning to relive the tacky heyday of the '70s - including ABBA's "Mamma Mia", the Village People's "Go West", and Gloria Gaynor's superb "I Will Survive", given a gloriously inventive rendition to a bunch of appreciative aboriginals, with one of their number joining in most enthusiastically.

A true kitsch classic, then - well worth re-visiting, again and again ... and again.