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!"

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first scene filmed was the big finale at the dance competition. It was filmed at a real dance competition during the 1-hour lunch break.

---

Goofs

Visible in the mirror at the end of Scott's solo dance.

---

Quotes

[Charm snatched the power cord from Kylie]
Charm: No you don't little miss!
Kylie: Shame on you, Miss Leachman!

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

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

---

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

Funny, inspiring, offbeat, creative

An outstanding movie in nearly every regard. Filmed in Australia on a tight budget, this movie succeeds in the one area that counts most: it _entertains_ the viewer.

A parody of "underdog makes good" movies, Strictly Ballroom is set in the competitive world of ballroom dancing. The movie educates (about ballroom dancing), amuses (especially with the bumbling bad guys), and uplifts (with the take-home message about following your dreams).

The show is stolen by Paul Mercurio, starring as the protagonist male dancer. His acting and dancing are superb.

A bit corny, a bit burlesque, but lots of fun! What more could you want?

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:

322 Victoria Road, Marrickville, 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:

$11,749,595

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