Billy Elliot (2000)

A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.

Director:

Stephen Daldry

Writer:

Lee Hall

Stars:

Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 54 wins & 66 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Bell	...	Billy
Jean Heywood	...	Grandma
Jamie Draven	...	Tony
Gary Lewis	...	Dad
Stuart Wells	...	Michael
Mike Elliot	...	George Watson
Billy Fane	...	Mr Braithwaite
Nicola Blackwell	...	Debbie
Julie Walters	...	Mrs. Wilkinson
Carol McGuigan	...	Librarian
Joe Renton	...	Gary Poulson
Colin MacLachlan	...	Mr. Wilkinson (as Colin Maclachlan)
Janine Birkett	...	Billy's Mum
Trevor Fox	...	PC Jeff Peverly
Charlie Hardwick	...	Sheila Briggs

Storyline

County Durham, during the endless, violent 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Widower Jackie Elliot and his firstborn, fellow miner Tony, take a dim view of 11 year-old second son Billy's poor record in boxing class, which worsens when they discover he sneakily transferred to the neighboring, otherwise girls-only-attended ballet class. Only one schoolmate, closet-gay Michael Caffrey, encourages Billy's desire, aroused by the teacher, who judged him talented enough for private lesson, to train and try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet audition. Only the prospect of a fancy career unimagined in the pauper quarter may twist pa and big brother's opposition to indispensable support.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | miner | gay crush | gay kid | bully | 

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Taglines:

Inside every one of us is a special talent waiting to come out. The trick is finding it.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Billy Elliot

Filming Locations:

Ellington Colliery, Northumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$215,681, 15 October 2000

Gross USA:

$21,995,263

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$109,280,263

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Working Title Films, BBC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On 13 October 2010 the London musical Billy Elliot welcomed its 3 millionth patron to the Victoria Palace Theatre.

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Goofs

When the dance teacher goes into Billy's house to confront his family about the audition at the Royal Ballet School, you can hear 'Tellytubbies', a daytime children's programme on the TV in the background. 'Tellytubbies' was first aired in 1997, some 13 years after when the film was set.

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Quotes

Tutor 1: What does it feel like when you're dancing?
Billy: Don't know. Sorta feels good. Sorta stiff and that, but once I get going... then I like, forget everything. And... sorta disappear. Sorta disappear. Like I feel a change in my whole body. And I've got this fire in my body. I'm just there. Flyin' like a bird. Like electricity. Yeah, like electricity.

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Alternate Versions

An edited version was released in the USA rated PG-13 that tones down the language.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Kevin Bishop Show: Episode #2.4 (2009)

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Soundtracks

London Calling
Written by Joe Strummer / Mick Jones / Paul Simonon /
Topper Headon
Performed by The Clash
Courtesy of Columbia Records / Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.

User Reviews

Masterful coming of age drama without sugar and soap.

After revisiting this film again recently, I stick my chest out and state proudly that the film touches me on so many levels that my emotions go all over the shop. For a film that is in essence a feel good coming of age drama it is mightily impressive that the film never veers down that street known as sickly boulevard.

Set against the grim backdrop of the English Coal Miners strikes the film tackles an array of subjects, class struggles, fear of homosexuality, youthful adventure in discovering potential adulthood, and the universal joy that music and dance can bring to us all, even in the most trying of circumstances. So many great scenes here that are both happy and sad, Billy's father feels he has to break the strike to give Billy a chance in life, this leads to a truly heartbreaking scene between him and his eldest son, I weep unashamedly at the realism of it all, the dancing is just wonderful, with too many great scenes to only pick just one out, the film is a seamless classic that ticks every box that I personally require from a film like this.

The cast are magnificent, Jamie Bell perfectly layers the lead role of Billy by fusing confusion, joy, fear, hope, and sorrow into one almighty performance. Julie Walters is up to her usual standard of greatness, whilst Gary Lewis as the father is nothing short of tremendous, they all can take a bow for making such a wonderful movie. The soundtrack is music gold, you can never have enough T-Rex in your life, ever, and I ask if there has ever been a more appropriate use of music than the use of The Jam's-Town Called Malice? Paul Weller's up tempo beat belies it's sombre lyrics, the song is about a town besieged by unemployment, a great scene accompanies the song as Billy dances out his frustrations down the street; "you either cut down on the beer or the kids new gear, it's a big decision in a town called Malice".

Brilliant! Maybe I'm biased because I remember the miners strikes, a sad and desperate time for the industry that was about to go under, perhaps I love it for the sheer sympathy the characters garner, or could it just be that it's an incredibly human story that is laid out fantastically well with an ending that demands a positive response from the viewer? Either way it rates 10/10 for me and it always will.