The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

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.

A film like this sinks or swims with the casting of the leads, and luckily, all three main actors are absolutely superb. I have to confess that I hadn't really liked Hugo Weaving before seeing this film. I disliked his role as "Agent Smith" in THE MATRIX, and barely noticed his "Elrond" in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. But I liked him enormously in this one. Of the three leads, he was probably the best and most enthusiastic drag performer. I had previously seen Guy Pearce in L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, RAVENOUS, and MEMENTO, but I have to say that this is probably his finest performance. I have always been a Terence Stamp fan, and I have to say that, unlike the other two actors, he makes a dreadful looking transsexual. Nonetheless, the quiet self-possession and dignity with which his character conducts herself helps Stamp dominate most of the scenes in which he appears. Interestingly, although he plays a post op transsexual, he continues in his performance to speak in a relatively deep, masculine tone. One of the most enjoyable things about the film is seeing the way that the three performers gradually change in the way they interrelate with the others.

The most brilliant thing about this film is that at no point does it succumb to the slightest tinge of self-parody or irony. The director as well as the three leads all take their characters with the utmost seriousness, so that the film ends up not being a film about drag queens, but about three individual who just happen to be drag queens, a subtle but crucial distinction.

Most of all the film is fun. There are many, many over-the-top moments, and not every one succeeds, but most do. The script is superb, the scenery striking, and the music fun, even if most of the songs are, in one sense, outright wretched.

Buy The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) Now

Terence Stamp, as a Transexual...need I say more? OK...I will: "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" is a wonderful, frollicking (or is it "frocking?") Adventure. Terence Stamp (of "The Hunger") is fabulous as an aging transexual, with bitter views and a sarcastic, biting sense of humor. His fellow(ette) travelers are performers, en route to the show of their lifetime, across the desert land of Australia....bickering and cat-fighting the entire way. Some of the banter is obviously a politically incorrect portrayal of gay men--the lines are often inspired by the worst-case scenario of gay men bickering--yet, I've met a few of those guys, in real life...so, the PC people will need to suspend their sense of appropriateness and enjoy the entertainment. This is NOT just a movie for "gay culture," as some people think. Straight couples enjoy the film and there are many hilarious scenes that couples can appreciate, together. There are some very Dramatic episodes that make the film more than a Comedy and aspire to give you an understanding of the sub-culture and humanity of the characters (despite personal prejudices). Besides, let's put the Anthropological Dissertation aside and get down to the core of the matter.... "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" is a great movie!

Wait'll you see what one Lady likes to do with Ping-Pong Balls ; )

Read Best Reviews of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) Here

"Priscilla" is now approaching its 10th anniversary. Rather than comment on the movie itself, I'd like to pay tribute to the amazing triumverate of actors at the center of the story. Because as time goes on, it becomes more and more notable that these three appeared together.

Hugo Weaving ("Tick" / Mitzi) Later becomes Agent Smith in "The Matrix" and Elrond in "Lord of the Rings"...i.e., only becomes a central figure in two of the largest franchises in movie-making history.

Guy Pearce (Adam / Felicia) Later becomes Leonard Shelby in "Memento" (and robbed of an Oscar nomination) and Ed Exley in "LA Confidential" (thought he was better there than Russell Crowe). Plus, he's a legend in Australia for his 1986 1990 part in the TV series "Neighbours" (where, most notably) he suited up next to Kylie Minogue).

Terence Stamp (Ralph / Bernadette) Finest actor of his generation? Perhaps. Later becomes Wilson in "The Limey" (don't miss that), Terry Stricter (founder of Scientology-like 'Mindhead' in the under-rated Steve Martin-penned 'Bowfinger'). Also famous to US audiences as General Zod in the Superman series. Career began as 'Billy Budd' back in the 1962 (!) Peter Ustinov classic.

Also here: Bill Hunter, outstanding as usual, as Bernadette's beau "Bob." To me, Hunter was the high point of "Strictly Ballroom" (as Federation President, Barry Fife). Wow, what a great actor.

It's wonderful to see this collection of actors, especially in such risk-taking roles. Especially Stamp, whose career has been hallmarked by intensely masculine roles. He has talked at length in various venues (e.g., 'Fresh Air' with Terry Gross) about his trepidation of playing Bernadette & the freedom he felt once he pulled it off.

So, if you've never seen 'Priscilla' before or don't think it would be your cup of tea, hopefully, I've given you four reasons here to rent or buy it today.

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I think I am probably the only person so far who could write an honest review of this movie. I was born and bred in Sydney, Australia (where "Priscilla" begins), I am a proud, openly gay man (not a drag queen unfortunately....couldn't afford the frocks!) and I have travelled to the country towns that the characters in "Priscilla" visited on their way to the Outback. Firstly, let me say that the movie is absolutely correct! Sydney's Oxford Street (the gay area in Sydney) is choc-full of drag queens and drag acts. Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp should have won awards for their portrayals....they were spot on. In fact, they were better than the acts on Oxford Street. When they were rehearsing for "Priscilla" they all frocked up and blended in with the Oxford Street crowd....and none of us knew! The hostilities these three drag queens face from heterosexuals on their journey to Outback Australia is all true. It actually happens. This is a damn tough country. It's where men are men and the sheep are nervous! I visited Broken Hill (briefly thank God) and was stared at and harrassed for "looking different". I felt very uncomfortable. It's another world out there, a world which I don't really want to visit again. The scenery is very beautiful, but the people (most) are narrow-minded in-breds. The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill really does exist with those horrible murals on the stairwell. And the little Greek man who manages it in the movie actually runs it in real life! I met him. It was like stepping into the movie itself! "Priscilla" was loosely based on a true story. Three Sydney drag queens really did travel by road into the Outback to do a show. Naturally things would be exaggerated for the screen, but when aren't they? I give this movie 6 stars (but there are only 5 to give) for bringing out the message that it's alright to be different....be who you are....and be proud! "To Wong Foo", you tried hard to be a "Priscilla" clone, but you failed miserably. Next time make a film with depth and heart instead of what the Hollywood moguls think gays and drag queens should be like! Footnote: The Imperial Hotel that "Priscilla" opens in really exists as well. It is a gay venue that has now become a tourist attraction because of the success of this film. They even have a cocktail bar there called....wait for it...."The Priscilla Bar". Planet Hollywood, Sydney has the stiletto shoe that Guy Pearce sits in on the top of the bus. Come for a visit Down Under....but don't forget to bring your wigs and frocks!

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