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 19 wins & 17 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:

farce | caricature | mockery | fake documentary segment | ugly duckling | 

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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 | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trophies in Kendall's Dance Studio were real trophies borrowed from dance studios.

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Goofs

When Doug Hastings begins improvising new steps in the flashback, there is a great deal of glitter on the floor in the close-up, but the floor is clean in the full-body shots.

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Quotes

Fran: A life lived in fear is a life half lived.

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Crazy Credits

Preceding the end credits is the note: This film is dedicated to Ted Albert

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Connections

Referenced in Dancing with the Stars: Round Two (2009)

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Soundtracks

Espana Cani
Written by Pascual Marquina Narro (as Pascual Narro-Marquina) & Mariano Tallada-Marquina
Arranged by David Hirschfelder
Used by permission of AMCOS Ltd on behalf of S.G.A.E.

User Reviews

Was my vote for Best Picture of the Year

This movie had so many aspects to it. It is basically a love story- a Cinderella love story. It is, also, a story of greed and of dreams lost and of dreams gained. It is a camp peak into the fascinating world of ballroom dancing. It is a wonderful demonstration that dance is more than just technique. Dance has passion and you needn't be lithe and beautiful to create an exceptional dance experience (Zorba The Greek, also, taught us that.).

There was a boy, self-absorbed, an insider, destine to be a champion. There was a girl from a different background- male dominated, poor, and foreign. .But when they came together- there was magic. The movie is about magic, the magic of dance and the magic of love. Strictly Ballroom is one of the best movies I have seen and seen and seen again. I love it!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Strictly Ballroom

Filming Locations:

Marrickville Road and Victoria Road, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$145,977, 15 February 1993

Gross USA:

$11,738,022

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,738,022

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beyond Films, M & A, New South Wales Film & Television Office

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1