Reviews (77)

"You'll laugh so hard, your lashes will curl...!"
Years before Hugo Weaving ever portrayed the powerfully evil character "Agent Smith" in the three "Matrix" films or the very serious "Elrond" in the three "Lord of the Rings" films; he portrayed a dress-wearing, drag performer named "Mitzi del Bra/Anthony 'Tick' Belrose" in the hilarious 1994 Australian film, "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". Joining Hugo in dresses for the film were actors Terence Stamp as "Bernadette Bassenger/Ralph" and Guy Pearce as "Felicia Jollygoodfellow/Adam Whitely". Terrence Stamp is better known for his portrayals of General Zod in the 1980 film "Superman II" and Chancellor Valorum in the 1999 "Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace". Guy Pearce is better known for his portrayals of "Det. Lt. Edmund Jennings Exley" in the 1997 film "L.A. Confidential", "Leonard Shelby" in the 2000 film "Memento" and "Alexander Hartdegen" in the 2002 remake of "The Time Machine".

The film begins in Sydney, Australia, where Mitzi, Felicia and Bernadette agree to take a trip across the Australian outback to the very remote resort known as Alice Springs to perform there. To get to Alice Springs, the trio purchases a run-down bus that is large enough to carry all of their clothing and other necessities. Unfortunately, the bus isn't in great shape and not everyone in the Australian outback likes the trio. However, they meet some very interesting people including Bob (Bill Hunter), his cantankerous wife Cynthia (Julia Cortez), a boisterous bartender named Shirley (June Marie Bennett), a rough miner named Frank (Ken Radley) and a fun Aboriginal man (Alan Dargin). Memorable scenes in the film include the trio performing for Aboriginal people, the impromptu kite, Felicia singing on top of the bus, Cynthia's bar performance, Bernadette out-drinking Shirley, Mitzi ('Tick') meeting his son Benji (Mark Holmes), Tick's wife Marion (Sarah Chadwick) & Benji watching the trio perform in Alice Springs, the trio climbing a mountain in dresses in the Australian outback, and flashbacks to Bernadette's (Ralph's) childhood.

The costumes used in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" earned the film an Oscar for Best Costume Design and nine award nominations from the Australian Film Institute (AFI), of which it won two for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Two of the AFI nominations were Best Actor nominations for Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp. Two other AFI award nominations were for Best Director (Stephan Elliott, who also wrote the film) and Best Film. Overall, I rate "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" with 5 out of 5 stars. The film also has a superb soundtrack that includes Alicia Bridges' "I Love The Night Life", Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", Patti Page's "If the Sun Don't Shine", Abba's "Mamma Mia", Vanessa Williams' "Save The Best for Last" and Giuseppe Verdi's operatic "E Strano! Ah Fors E Lui".

Even If You Don't Like Drag Shows, You'll Love This Movie
This outrageous movie gets an A in every category: acting, directing, costumes and music too. Three girls leave The Imperial Hotel, a real drag bar in Sydney with the worst drag show I have ever seen to do a gig in Alice Springs, deep in the Australian outback. We have two drag queens, Hugo Weaving, who has reproduced himself, Guy Pearce-- I didn't recognize him in L.A. Confidential after seeing him in this one-- and a transgendered "real" woman played by Terrence Stamp. Supposedly Stamp who wasn't allowed to see any of the movie footage before
the film was released thought he really made a beautiful woman. Poor baby. He looks for all the world like a tired, older butcher cousin of Judy Collins. Perhaps it's those beautiful blue eyes. He's a long way from FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD here.

This trio christen a tour bus "Priscilla" and begin their trip across Australia. Much of the movie is predictable, some of the lines shamelessly designed for easy laughs. But that's okay. The good girls eventually win as they should in every comedy.

If only Mel Gibson could have had a cameo role as one of the many roustabouts the girls encounter on their journey, roustabouts determined to harm these gentle creatures. Mr. Gibson could have played himself if we are to believe the negative comments about gay people attributed to him over the years.

my Favorite movie
Priscilla is one my favoraite movies of all time. I saw this movie in the theaters when it came out. I still roll with laughter every time I see this movie. Whenever I discover that a friend of mine hasn't seen it I invite them over to watch. They have all loved the film also. Hugo Weaving takes is friends and "fellow" drag queens Guy Pierce and Terence Stamp, on a bus trip trough central Australia to perform in a casino owned by his lesbian wife. During the long trip through the middle of no where, they encounter bigoted miners and tolerant aborigonies as well as a mechanic with a mail order asian bride who used to be a stripper. To many Abba songs while wearing very purposefully tacky costumes. A MUST SEE!!

Entertaining, rewatchable ... a feast of colours too
1994 was a big year for Aussie films. PRISCILLA and MURIEL'S WEDDING came out at the same time, and both earned a cult following because of their over-the-top themes. Also, an ABBA revival was happening at that time, and these films featured ABBA music.

PRISCILLA has many funny moments, but what makes it so special is the fantastic scenery and colours - truly showcasing Australia's beautiful outback. Overall, the film is a pleasure to watch again and again. It tells the tale of three drag queens who set out across the Australian outback in an old bus affectionally titled "Priscilla". Along the way, they become involved in many outrageous situations.

DVD SUMMARY - Originally released as an awful blotchy pan/scan DVD in Australia, the film recently received the treatment it deserved for its 10 year anniversary! Yes, it was recently in it's correct aspect ratio (2:35) and given an anamorphic transfer. While this new transfer is still not 100% pristine (white flecks here and there), it is still a huge improvement on the original DVD release. It's fantastic to see this film in all its widescreen glory after all these years. The colours and scenery will blow you away. The soundtrack has also been remixed in DTS and 5.1 surround sound. This 10 Year Anniversary also contains lots of special features, which is amazing for a film of its age.

The bad news is that the new DVD (in pink packaging) is only available in Australia. I recommend overseas buyers getting hold of this version over the current American DVD. The American DVD is only letterbox transfer (ie. not anamorphic) and doesn't include the special features.

-Adventures of Priscilla, Muriel's Wedding and Kangaroo Jack
These three hilarous (and uplifting) films should be viewed one after the other for the ultimate australian comedy experience. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The best Aussie flick since Gallipoli
This wonderful, sparkling bubbly commentary is simply a masterpiece. Showing the exploits of a Communist mother and her suspecting son this movie is not only a commentary on COmmunism and the excess of liberalism but it is also a hilarious film with an amazing funny cast and a profound group of intrigue. The main character is followed through his life as he slowly realizes he is none other then the son of Stalin, the man his mother loves but who he learns to loathe. Yet as time goes on the viewer is led to wonder: Maybe in his rejection of his father he actually becomes him. Funny, great. Wonderful!!!!

The difference a moustache can make
This is an extremely original and well made farce. the film is generally comical but there are some tragic overtones throughout. The story of the idealist leader of the Australian communists earns a trip to meet Stalin in Moscow. The visit provides the setting for some of the funniest moments in the film. The idea of Stalin dancing and singing is funny in itself, imagine watching it realized on screen. But this comical interlude provides the crucial elemnt of the plot, the conception of Stalin's son. His identity is kept secret by his mother, but through a series of fortuitous circumstances Joe (thta's his name palyed by Roxburgh) becomes a union leader and organizes the police force. Hints are given throughout his childhood, he loves handcuffs for instance - leading to a steamy scene with a seduced policewoman. as a result of an 'accident' he has to grow a moustache and discovers his true personality after this event. There is sadness also, but I felt it beyond the plot or film itself. The mockery is certainly funny but it's undeniable that many idealists were betrayed by Stalin and his unbound evil. Communism in the Soviet union (and elsewhere) might have developed differently had Stalin not hijacked it. Now we're left with no alternatives and embarking on a dangerous course of increasing inequality. The film ironizes and does an excellent job (Judy Davis' excellent acting apart) of showing the demoralization of an idealist who has to face the sad reality and the poor 'loves' of the past. I saw the film twice and remember it with an ironic smile. Highly recommended

Wicked
A real find. The film starts out as a broad satire (perhaps just a bit too broad), then sharpens to a steely point in the second half.Judy Davis has never been more ferocious (and that's really saying something). A romp, but one that leaves bruises. Grab it.

Wonderful acting, marred slightly by pronounced tonal shift.
Children of the Revolution features a host of great actors -- Judy Davis, F. Murray Abraham, Sam Neill, Richard Roxburgh -- and two extremely moving low-key performances by Geoffrey Rush and Rachel Griffiths. Just that cast alone can sustain a hell of a lot, and Children of the Revolution isn't shy about pitting them against one another.

The beginning and middle of the movie are deft blends of socio-political satire and personal drama, laughter and emotion. It's too bad that in the second half of Act 2 it takes a turn for melodrama. Given the calibre of the acting, it works (Griffiths plays especially nicely against Davis, and Rush -- his character increasingly isolated in the story -- is bewitching), but I wish there could've been more of a mix of the comic and the tragic near the end of the movie. The comedy wasn't so much forgotten (the "Ronald McDonald" bit, and the last interview with "Joe Welch" still hit the funny bone) as underweighted in the final parts of the story. The film deserves credit, nonetheless, for even aiming towards this complicated mix in the first place and succeeding 90% of the time. And the setups and subplots are brilliant -- Anna's Latvian background weaving into the Dave-Joan relationship; Welch's jealousy of Stalin; Joe's eventual megalomania; the cellmate and future assassin; even the final hilarious reveal about Anna and Dave was set up.

A small but bright gem, not easy to discover (the eye-popping video cover helped), but well worth the hunt.

Tears of Laughter and Tears of Sadness
I felt this movie is one of the best films I have ever seen in my life. As a Communist, I first assumed the movie was just a farce of stalinist Russia. Throughout the first 30 minutes, I laughed a lot. I thought the notion of some-one as evil as Stalin singing and dancing is funny, to me. I really felt with the main charrecter and her ideology, except her love of Stalin, and was happy that she finally realises he was evil. At the end, the Son (concieved by Stalin) turns into his father, and proclaims that he is doing the work of the Revolution. It gives a good example of Stalin's acts and how they ruined Lenin's Russia.

Children of the Revolution is a brilliant film, and Leninists and true Communists can plainly see this. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

No surprises, but serviceable adventure yarn
There isn't much to say about this typical story of greed, intrigue, and jungle adventure -- this one takes place in the wilds of Borneo, for a change, and is set in 1955 although a lot of the film feels as if it's taking place in the 1930s. There's a sort of pre-WWII colonialism mentality about it that is jarring, and very little evidence of the modern world apart from some references to atomic bombs. Even the clothes, hairstyles, and mannerisms seem dated, archaic. Oh, well. The plot centers around a quest for a fabulous diamond and the romantic triangle (or is it?) between the married swells in pursuit (the oddly dyspeptic Carradine and an elegant Paris Jefferson) and their hard-scrabble guide (Billy Zane, good as usual in another cartoon role). There's a lot of running around in uncomfortable-looking surroundings, Zane doing a Bogart impression, and nasty natives of the sort normally encountered in vintage Tarzan movies. Very retro, but all in good fun, and the underappreciated Paris Jefferson -- best known perhaps as a radiant Athena in the "Xena" TV series -- steals every scene she's in, the perfect cool Britishwoman under fire. Who wouldn't steal a diamond for her?

...

Jealousy, Greed, Jungle adventure and not-stop action!
Having read a little about Louis L'Amour and his early adventures as a merchant seaman at his web site (louislamour.com), I can see some of his own life in this story! From the absolute KING of the Western comes an exciting, jungle action adventure flick that combines Indiana Jones with Casa Blanca, Tarzan, and Romancing the Stone. Zane is the perfect down-on-his-luck adventurer, trapped by his bad luck, empty pockets and a haunting secret past. Carradine brings just enough stiff-upper-lipped genious to his role to make you love - hate - love - hate the guy. And Paris Jefferson is a sophisticated sensous Gwenevere whose romantic notions get the better of her. Yet when the chips are down, she turns out to be the stongest of them all! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and recommend to everyone. And if you want to talk to the writer (and Louis L'AMour's son) Beau L'Amour, visit the discussion forum at louislamour.com He has been very active with comments on the making of this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

No surprises, but serviceable adventure yarn
There isn't much to say about this typical story of greed, intrigue, and jungle adventure -- this one takes place in the wilds of Borneo, for a change, and is set in 1955 although a lot of the film feels as if it's taking place in the 1930s. There's a sort of pre-WWII colonialism mentality about it that is jarring, and very little evidence of the modern world apart from some references to atomic bombs. Even the clothes, hairstyles, and mannerisms seem dated, archaic. Oh, well. The plot centers around a quest for a fabulous diamond and the romantic triangle (or is it?) between the married swells in pursuit (the oddly dyspeptic Carradine and an elegant Paris Jefferson) and their hard-scrabble guide (Billy Zane, good as usual in another cartoon role). There's a lot of running around in uncomfortable-looking surroundings, Zane doing a Bogart impression, and nasty natives of the sort normally encountered in vintage Tarzan movies. Very retro, but all in good fun, and the underappreciated Paris Jefferson -- best known perhaps as a radiant Athena in the "Xena" TV series -- steals every scene she's in, the perfect cool Britishwoman under fire. Who wouldn't steal a diamond for her?

...

Jealousy, Greed, Jungle adventure and not-stop action!
Having read a little about Louis L'Amour and his early adventures as a merchant seaman at his web site (louislamour.com), I can see some of his own life in this story! From the absolute KING of the Western comes an exciting, jungle action adventure flick that combines Indiana Jones with Casa Blanca, Tarzan, and Romancing the Stone. Zane is the perfect down-on-his-luck adventurer, trapped by his bad luck, empty pockets and a haunting secret past. Carradine brings just enough stiff-upper-lipped genious to his role to make you love - hate - love - hate the guy. And Paris Jefferson is a sophisticated sensous Gwenevere whose romantic notions get the better of her. Yet when the chips are down, she turns out to be the stongest of them all! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and recommend to everyone. And if you want to talk to the writer (and Louis L'AMour's son) Beau L'Amour, visit the discussion forum at louislamour.com He has been very active with comments on the making of this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not for everyone
My husband and I checked this DVD out from our local library to watch. If you like shows like the Waltons you will love this family drama. My husband and I couldn't stop watching it. We really enjoyed the characters and the dialogue. Believe it or not, we were riveted. The family survives some amazingly tough times. If you watch The Harp in the South you will definitely want to watch Poor Man's Orange the sequel to find out what happens to Roie and Dolour and the rest of the Darcy friends and family. ... Read more