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:

Bus | Desert | Drag Queen | Drag | Transsexual

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

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
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
Danielle Wiessner	....	additional adr editor

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 (as Best Naughty 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 Yuncken	....	assistant editor (as Andy 'Foofy' Yuncken)

Music Department
Robyne Dunn	....	singer: soprano solo (as Robyn Dunn)
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
Stephen Rutter	....	travel manager
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 (1994) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Independent Productions (1994) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Meteor Film Productions (1994) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Metronome Films (1994) (Denmark) (theatrical)
• Mundial Films (1994) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Pan Européenne Distribution (1995) (France) (theatrical)
• Rank Film Distributors (1994) (UK) (theatrical)
• Roadshow Film Distributors (1994) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Sogepaq Distribución (1994) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Ster-Kinekor Pictures (199?) (South Africa) (theatrical)
• Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (1994) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1994) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (2001) (UK) (DVD)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1996) (Greece) (VHS)
• 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 Home Video (199?) (Australia) (VHS)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2006) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Top Tape (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (1995) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1995) (Sweden) (VHS)

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)
• Showfilm  travel agent
• 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

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for sex-related situations and language

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English | Filipino

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

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 | Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

Hugo Weaving's character was based on Sydney drag-queen Cindy Pastel, who like the character has a son and female companion.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mitzi and Felicia wake up the morning after they left Bernadette and Bob to get drunk, if you look at the shot out of the bus window of Bob and Bernadette, Bernadette's face is next to the cake. Once Mitzi and Felicia are out of the bus, Bernadette's face is on top of the cake.

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 "The Nanny: From Flushing with Love (#5.10)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Can't Help Lovin' That Man

I'll never look at those three guys the same way again...

...and that's a GOOD thing. Basically, before I truly became aware of "Priscilla", I had only thought of its three central actors as just regular, boring guys who were fine enough at acting, but really weren't anything special. Wrong. I had heard about this mysterious movie once or twice, but had no idea who was in it, nor what it was about (beyond the rather vague concept of drag queens/transvestites), and when I decided to read more about it, and find out who was in the cast - SURPRISE! Guy Pearce (of whom I had had a bad first impression when I discovered him in that travesty "The Time Machine"), Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith himself!!!), and Terence Stamp (whom I don't think I ever saw in any films, but whom I still knew a fair bit about)! How genius is that? I had to see this to believe it, and when I did, I was not let down! Beautiful scenes, costumes, dialogue and music made this probably one of the most interesting and memorable movie experiences of my life! I wasn't the least bit uptight about it (as some people were turned off by the flamboyant behaviour and distasteful jokes, which I found refreshingly great!), and delighted in the campy antics of this fantastic trio! It's a beautiful, feel-good comedy that I recommend to anyone with a catty sense of humour (and a VERY open mind).