ABBA: The Movie (1977)

An incompetent radio DJ tries to get an interview with the Swedish pop group during their famous week-long 1977 tour of Australia.

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers:

Robert Caswell (as Bob Caswell), Lasse Hallström

Stars:

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anni-Frid Lyngstad	...	Herself
Benny Andersson	...	Himself
Björn Ulvaeus	...	Himself
Agnetha Fältskog	...	Herself
Robert Hughes	...	Ashley Wallace, the disc Jockey
Tom Oliver	...	Bodyguard / Bartender / Taxi Driver
Bruce Barry	...	Radio Station Manager
Stig Anderson	...	ABBA Manager
Calvin Cross	...	Featured Fan
Ivar Dahlbom	...	Featured Fan
Harry Lawrence	...	Featured Fan
Michael Mansson	...	Hotel receptionist (as Michael Manson)
Sandy Mansson	...	Girl in box office (as Sandy Manson)
Ray Marshall	...	Featured Fan
Frances Matthews	...	Featured Fan

Storyline

Movie detailing ABBA's mega-successful tour of Australia during mid-1977. While it mostly contains back-stage footage and as well as ABBA's famous songs such as "Dancing Queen", "Tiger", "Name Of The Game" and "Eagle" among others sung filmed during their concerts in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, it has the sub-plot of young country and western radio disc-jockey, Ashley, whose boss orders him to have a deep interview with ABBA and the problems he has trying to reach them as he forgets his press pass and ABBA's main bodyguard, (Tom Oliver) is determined to stop him...

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Plot Keywords:

abba | interview | australia | radio | disc jockey | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Australia Sweden

Language:

English Swedish

Release Date:

February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abba

Filming Locations:

Football Park - Turner Drive, West Lakes, South Australia, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polar Music International, Reg Grundy Productions Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo 3 Channel Stereo Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film outside of Sweden for Swedish director Lasse Hallström.

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Goofs

Throughout the film, Ashley pursues ABBA through the cities of Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne in that order. The actual tour went in the order of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

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Quotes

Reporter: I read somewhere that you are the proud owner of an award, which declares you as the lady with the most sexiest bottom in Europe. Is that true?
Agnetha: How can I answer to that? I don't know... I haven't seen it!

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Alternate Versions

Available in three different final soundmixes! One mono, and two different in stereo, one with only three frontchannels, and one with a fourth surround channel.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wright Stuff: Episode #17.188 (2012)

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Soundtracks

I've Been Waiting For You
Written by Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus
Performed by ABBA
Published by EMI Groove Park Music Inc.

User Reviews

ABBA: The Movie

ABBA: The Movie was a big success around the world but barely made a ripple in the U.S. It was 12 years before I saw it. It is about a deejay named Ashley who follows ABBA around on their Australian tour in hopes of getting an interview. They lead him to Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. Along the way, he tapes comments from fans. Mixed in with the plot are scenes from the concerts. Frida struts boldly in hot pants, prowling the stage like a female Elvis. Agnetha teases the crowd with her bottom during "Money Money Money." The group provides a cross section of what had been done up to that time: "Waterloo," "The Name of the Game" and "Ring Ring." The ladies make a real entrance for "Dancing Queen," ABBA's only number 1 record in the U.S. ABBA is a feminist group. The women are the stars. The men maintain a low profile. Benny Andersson later told of how The Movie started out as just their desire to have a personal record of their time in Australia and grew until it became a feature length film. The Movie was directed by Lasse Hallstrom, the same guy who directed ABBA's videos. They finish with their signature tune, "Thank You for the Music." I am an ABBA fan and wrote a book about the Fab Four from Sweden.