Billy Elliot [DVD] [2000]

I had never seen this movie and the price was much different to streaming it so I might as well own it and I’m pleased to say I will watch it again in about 6 monthsGreat movie great cast ..

Good

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.

Great addition to my wife’s dvd collection.

Though an ignoramus when it comes to ballet I quite enjoyed this film, however, it was let down by the poor audio levels on my DVD. In a small run down community in the county of Durham there is a miner's strike. Riot geared police far outnumber the citizens of this small town, who gather daily to hurl abuse at the 'scabs' who refuse to strike. In this populace there is a motherless family called Elliot, Father, two sons and grandma. Billy, the younger, is allowed 50p a week to attend the local boxing club, here, in the ring, he is somewhat standoffish, rarely, if ever, throws a punch but prances energetically around the ring, where he ends up on the canvass. In the same room tutu clad young girls have ballet lessons. Billy becomes intrigued and joins in with these dance classes, the instructress soon realizes that Billy is quite talented and gives him preferential treatment. Meanwhile, at home Billy looks after his grandma who is apt to wonder off. Occasionally, he sits at their upright piano and one fingers the odd tune. Billy is most active when out and about instead of merely perambulating along, he breaks out into dance routines, pirouetting, gargouillading, cabrioling, etc. His father hears that over the past few weeks Billy hasn't been attending his boxing lessons, so he goes to the club and finds Billy prancing about in ballet shoes with the young girls, his expression tells it all. Billy desists from this activity for a while However, his teacher thrilled with his progress, enters him for a scholarship, he doesn't turn up. She then visits his family, there is many a choice word bantered around and that seems to be the end of it. Christmas comes along, out comes the piano, into the yard and it is sledge hammered to bits, Heaven forbid, it wasn't a Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Bluthner or Steinway. However, it does provide warmth while they eat their meagre Christmas fare. Billy and his mate, a future transvestite? Go to the boxing club to prance about, he finds a tutu for his friend. It is noticed by passersby that there is a light on at the club so Billy's father goes to investigate. He is shocked by what he sees, Billy goes through one of his dance routines, this seems to really impress his father who pays a visit to Billy's dance teacher, who, in turn arranges an interview for Billy at the Royal Ballet School in London. The father explains to the family that there must be something better in life for Billy than his present lot, so, decides to pawn the family jewels and take Billy to London. Billy doesn't create a good impression at the interview but is nevertheless accepted. We next see him as a young man performing 'Swan Lake' at the Royal Opera House. That's it! Because of the poor sound quality, I give this 4 stars only.

For me this is one of those films I can watch again every so often. The story is engaging, the portrayal of working class life in the Thatcher era is evocative, and the acting is top notch. You gotta love Jamie Bell as Billy Elliot, he really is fantastic. As is the ever enjoyable Julie Walters who is well cast as the local ballet teacher - not of the posh French or Russian accented retired prima ballerina type but a mouthy English middleclass lady - who recognizes Billy's talent and encourages him to pursue a career in dancing despite the opposition from the boy's father. Good film with a feelgood factor and definitely worth checking out if you haven't already seen it.

Great response from seller. Wonderful movie. Powerful & moving. 💙

Ein Klassiker aus England. War als BluRay günstiger als den Stream zu kaufen.

Me encanta esta película, es de mis favoritas. Ese afán de superación por parte del protagonista con mucha personalidad, sin pararse a lo que piensen los demás. Un toque inglés de seriedad y humor a su estilo la hacen una película especial.

Muy buena película, una de esas que uno no debe perderse, una enseñanza en contra de los prejuicios, la recomiendo independientemente si te gusta o no el baile...

My favorite movie. Everyone should have a copy.