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 56 wins & 69 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 Margaret Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Widower Jackie Elliot (Gary Lewis) and his firstborn, fellow miner Tony (Jamie Draven), take a dim view of eleven-year-old second son Billy's (Jamie Bell'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 (Stuart Wells), encourages Billy's desire, aroused by the teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson (Dame Julie Walters), who judged him talented enough for private lessons, 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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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The musical version of this movie, which hit the West End in 2005 to rave reviews and numerous awards and nominations, reportedly cost £5.5 million to make: around £3 million more than the movie version. Furthermore, the Broadway production cost $18 million to make, over three times as much as this movie's budget. All three were a financial success.

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Goofs

At the end of the film, when Jackie and Tony take the tube, they are travelling on the Circle line (which would make sense, if they were travelling East from Victoria Coach Station), but appear to alight at Westminster. They are heading for Covent Garden, the location of the Royal Opera House, home of The Royal Ballet-this would be quite a walk-it would make far more sense to travel East another stop to Embankment, and then walk due North to the Garden.

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Quotes

Michael: Oi, dancing boy!
[Billy runs to Michael]
Dad: We'll miss the bus, Billy!
Tony: Will you stop being an old fucking woman?

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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

Referenced in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet: Bridging the Gap (2002)

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Soundtracks

A Child Is Born
Written by Thad Jones
Performed and arranged by Douglas Corbin
Courtesy of Bodiac Productions, Dallas, Texas, USA

User Reviews

Wonderful!

I had seen the commercials and they emphasize the dancing aspect of the story which is great but there is so much more to this movie. It deals with death and it touches on Mens feelings of loss and what a Man is and even deals a bit with homosexuality. Theres not many times where I sit though the end credits anymore but I was mesmorized. I laughed in this movie and I cried too. The dance scenes were terrific too. The boy who played Billy should get an award hands down for this movie. I watched the emotion on his face and it was amazing. This is the best breakout performance by a young boy since haley Joel Osmant in Sixth Sense. I have to say I just loved Julie Walters too. Where has she been since Educating Rita. Inspite of the swear words this is a movie that families should see. Its hard to believe this gets an R rating and movies like Scary Movie get...only R ratings. I dont get it. Strange that two of my favorite recent movies are from the British...This and Croupier. Word to Hollywood, make more movies like this or at lease import more like this. Dont miss this one!

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Billy Elliot

Filming Locations:

Ellington Colliery, Ellington, Morpeth, 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