The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Starring:Trevor Barrie, June Marie Bennett, Bob Boyce, John Casey (II), Hannah Corbett, Frank Cornelius, Julia Cortez, Alan Dargin, Murray Davies, Bill Hunter, Daniel Kellie, Joseph Kmet, Maria Kmet, Guy Pearce, Leighton Picken, Ken Radley, Rebel Russell, Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving
Studio: Polygram Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

A surprise hit in America, this 1994 Australian comedy is anchored by Terence Stamp as a transsexual who, in the company of two drag queens, travels to a remote desert location to put on a lip- synch performance--to the amazement of the locals. Getting there on a pink bus named Priscilla, the trio stop and play for people all over the Outback, getting the same homophobic, bewildered responses. The weak link in the film is dialogue that seems to have been pulled from "Queer Movie Banter for Dummies," all bitchy and cliché-ridden but fortunately salvaged by strong acting. The most fun comes whenever the three are performing; fans of Abba will be particularly pleased. The DVD release has optional full-screen and widescreen presentations, cast and crew bios, optional French and Spanish subtitles. --Tom Keogh

Amazon.com

A surprise hit in America, this 1994 Australian comedy is anchored by Terence Stamp as a transsexual who, in the company of two drag queens, travels to a remote desert location to put on a lip-synch performance--to the amazement of the locals. Getting there on a pink bus named Priscilla, the trio stop and play for people all over the Outback, getting the same homophobic, bewildered responses. The weak link in the film is dialogue that seems to have been pulled from "Queer Movie Banter for Dummies," all bitchy and cliché-ridden but fortunately salvaged by strong acting. The most fun comes whenever the three are performing; fans of Abba will be particularly pleased. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Extras

Watch Director Stephan Elliot talk about the film's iconic costumes.

An Interview with Priscilla Costume Designer Tim Chappel

How much of costume design is your own inspiration / how much is inspired by the character?
I rarely have creative free reign like I had on Priscilla. Priscilla was one of those rare situations where the powers that be said "Go for it". The characters are my babies. All design is meant to build character and help move the story along. Fortunately Mitzi, Felacia, and Bernardette were outrageous drag queens so that was not only easy bit great fun. Hard as it may seem, there are nuances that aren't obvious. For example when the queens are climbing Kings Canyon each of their headdresses are a distillation of their individual personalities. Bernardette is the Evil Queen, Mizti has lipsticks, rollers and pacifiers, and Felecia has Cupie dolls that are staring at themselves in little mirrors.

What is the process of physically rendering the costumes? Do you build them by hand? Work with a team? Hit vintage stores?
I usually begin by sketching roughs. Then once everyone has had their input - or cocked their leg as it seems more of the time, I do the finished sketches. These get signed off on literally becoming a visual contract. Then they get handed to the Costumier that builds a toile (a practice one). That gets fitted on the talent and we all um and ah--hopefully more ooh and ah if it's working well. Then we have a second fitting to perfect the fit and a final fitting to see the final project.
On Priscilla however I simply grabbed whatever I had around or worked out which costume could be sacrificed and started gluing and sewing and hoping for the best. If something started to break there was always the hot glue gun and a handful of glitter to disguise any lumps and bumps. The costumes were literally finished when they would tear them out of my hands.

Did any of the actors on Priscilla have any costume concerns? Was anyone concerned the costume would overpower their performance?
The actors were all good sports. Terence told us he wanted to look like Holly Golightly but he soon gave up on that idea. He actually looked quite beautiful at times I thought. There was a moment at Kings Canyon when Terrence said that something was bothering his forward and I looked over to see a single drop of blood run down his brow--whoops, with only $12,000 US there was no room for comfort.

What's the difference between cinematic fashion and street (real people) fashion? I.e., does it have to be "bigger" if it's on the screen?
There are lots of differences between what you wear on the street, on stage, or in stills. Each medium requires special attention. For example in film you have to find out what kind of film stock is being used, what kind of filters and the general visual feel that the production designer and cinematographer are trying to go for. Of course the Director is trying to convey very specific ideas and using texture, color and contrast your job is to build, along with your team, that visual statement.
The use of detail is also vital; sometimes you can't even see it but the actor will know its there and much detail, even though you can't literally see it, becomes absorbed in a more subconscious way.

In your opinion, who looked the most beautiful (lead roles) in drag, who was the most fun to work with?
They were all beauties. Guy Pearce had a background in musical theatre so he was prone to stealing the show. They were all great fun and still people I count as good friends.

Any idea the film would take off to become an enormous hit and cult classic as well as meaning so much to fans around the world?
We thought we were basically making a home movie; it wasn't until we had the 15-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival that we knew we had created a DRAG MONSTER!

Where did you get the inspiration and know-how regarding costumes? Was there research involved? How did you get involved in doing this movie?
I started with the music and let it send me in a delirious creative free fall and took notes as I spun. We got to have a buying trip to NYC in '92--WOW. I got to meet Girlina and Lasdy Bunny and all the voguing Queens--we were doing something totally different but Queens are trick everywhere aren't they.
I got involved because Stephan needed a Costume designer who could do everything: design, sew and wear--if necessary. I was working as one of a pair of male backup dancers (an "earring") for a drag-queen troupe called Glamourworld. I used to make all our costumes and we were pretty successful. We even toured Asia going to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Ho Chi Mihn city--all on DragOn Air. How funny is that?

What inspires you--what movies stand out to you as having great costumes?
It all goes in and just comes out this way. I don't consciously look for inspiration. I like to think of myself as a creative distillery.

If you could dress Oscar (of the Academy Awards) - what would you have him wear?
My Oscar was on display in Australia's National Gallery in an Exhibition called "The Sights and Sounds of Australian Film." Oscar had purple hair and a disco tube dress. I butchered a Rock and Roll Barbie. She didn't seem to mind 'cause Oscar looked roool perty!

Beyond The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Cross-Dressing 101
The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
More from MGM

Stills from The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Description

They came. They conquered. They looked fabulous. This wonderfully inventive, visually stunning and incomparably funny Australian import about three drag performers braving the vast, rugged outback won the 1994 Academy Award(r) for Costume Design. Veteran actor Terence Stamp (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace), Hugo Weaving (The Matrix), Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) all give hilarious ? and heartfelt ? performances in a three-fishes-outta-water story that's "one of the wildest movies ever made" (Rex Reed, New York Observer)! With a contract to perform a drag show way out in the Australian desert, Tick (Weaving), Adam (Pearce) and Ralph (Stamp) each has his own reason for wanting to leave the safety of Sydney. Christening their battered pink tour bus "Priscilla," this wickedly funny and high-drama trio head for the Outback...and into crazy adventures in even crazier outfits. You go, girls!

Customer Reviews:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!.......2007-07-05

From the first notes of the opening song, "Never Been To Me" and the bizzare looking person dancing on the stage, you may think, "What have I got myself into?" But soon you realize you are about to meet, and get to know, a set of fascinating, fun and utterly outlandish characters. This Australian made road movie is like non-other before it's time. The band of misfits may make some wrong turns in their "Budget Barbie Camper" on their way to perform at a Casino in Alice Springs, but they also learn some things along they way. Of course there are a few surprises as well. Music fans will enjoy the wide array of songs used throughout the film. The Oscar winning costumes are each more amazing than the last as are the hard hitting quips from the guys who "dress up in women's clothes and lip synch to other people's songs."
A really wonderful film when it was realeased in the early 90's and it still is today. The message of tollerance is still very relevant.
I highly recommend this new edition of the DVD as it contains some "Extra Frills" as the box will tell you.

A must see.......2007-06-27

This is a great movie and a must see. This is much better then what was on TV. Better color and like the extra parts not shown on TV.

must see.......2007-05-24

The original To Wong Foo, really worth a spin. Terrance Stamp and cast are good for a laugh.Drags a bit in spots (pardon the pun), but worth it just to see the costumes, better yet the Aussie wit.

Hugo Weaving is adorable!.......2007-04-16

This is a great movie if you're into this sort of thing. I'm a fan of Rocky Horror and Hedwig and the Angry Inch so I like to add this to the list. Although all three are very different they each have great music. I love the character interaction. Everyone seems to be so comfortable. Great movie!

A bus they name Priscilla.......2007-04-04

There was a real trend in the mid nineties with films like "The Birdcage," "Too Wong Foo," "Its my Party," and "Love! Valor! Compassion!" exploding onto the screen as America began to feel more at ease with its gay brothers and sisters. And as we watched these movies, a whole `Gay Comic Genre' was really born. Also we can't forget about the popularity of gay stand up at that same time.

"Priscilla" did indeed avail itself of this trend, and every gay humor trick in the book. It also managed to slip us some really amazing visual, comic and compassionate moments. Except for rabid, card-carrying homophobes, this Australian road-movie-with-a-difference is a charmer. The three are: aging transsexual Bernadette (Terence Stamp), youngish occasional bisexual Tick or Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) and gay-all-the way Adam or Felicia (Guy Pearce), the youngest.

The trio's specialty is to appear on-stage dressed in the most outrageous, garish, feathery female outfits, undulate and sort of dance while lip-synching to 1970s disco songs, from ABBA to whatever comes close to Z. They do their lavish karaoke excellently, and the musical selections are a constant treat. Bernadette is the wisest and quietest of the three, and most serious --she hardly ever cracks a smile. Mitzi is a bit mercurial, sometimes solemn, and sometimes buoyant. Felicia, the wildest of the bunch, is full of animal spirits, a prankster who gets often on the others' nerves. But still, there is essential harmony among those divergent types.

Remarkably, their characters, with all the flamboyance, misadventures, mean hearted blokes, and desert creatures (not to mention some very musical Aborigine) kept them admirably cool, show quiet tenacity and retain their sense of humor, so that no matter what the circumstances, there is never panic or hysteria. In a peculiar way, this steadiness blends in well with the beautiful, barren landscapes which often take on a surreal look. This is an entertaining and touching movie. Recommended to anyone with a great sense of humor!

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Average customer rating:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!
A must see
must see
Hugo Weaving is adorable!
A bus they name Priscilla

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Starring: Trevor Barrie , June Marie Bennett , Bob Boyce , John Casey (II) , and Hannah Corbett
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar
The Birdcage
Muriel's Wedding
The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Torch Song Trilogy

ASIN: 0792843983
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Amazon.com essential video

Amazon.com

A surprise hit in America, this 1994 Australian comedy is anchored by Terence Stamp as a transsexual who, in the company of two drag queens, travels to a remote desert location to put on a lip-synch performance--to the amazement of the locals. Getting there on a pink bus named Priscilla, the trio stop and play for people all over the Outback, getting the same homophobic, bewildered responses. The weak link in the film is dialogue that seems to have been pulled from "Queer Movie Banter for Dummies," all bitchy and cliché-ridden but fortunately salvaged by strong acting. The most fun comes whenever the three are performing; fans of Abba will be particularly pleased. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Extras

Watch Director Stephan Elliot talk about the film's iconic costumes.

Customer Reviews:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!.......2007-07-05

A must see.......2007-06-27

This is a great movie and a must see. This is much better then what was on TV. Better color and like the extra parts not shown on TV.

must see.......2007-05-24

The original To Wong Foo, really worth a spin. Terrance Stamp and cast are good for a laugh.Drags a bit in spots (pardon the pun), but worth it just to see the costumes, better yet the Aussie wit.

Hugo Weaving is adorable!.......2007-04-16

A bus they name Priscilla.......2007-04-04

Average customer rating:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!
A must see
must see
Hugo Weaving is adorable!
A bus they name Priscilla

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Starring: Trevor Barrie , June Marie Bennett , Bob Boyce , John Casey (II) , and Hannah Corbett
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar
The Birdcage
Muriel's Wedding
The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Torch Song Trilogy

ASIN: 6304584571
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Amazon.com essential video

Amazon.com

A surprise hit in America, this 1994 Australian comedy is anchored by Terence Stamp as a transsexual who, in the company of two drag queens, travels to a remote desert location to put on a lip-synch performance--to the amazement of the locals. Getting there on a pink bus named Priscilla, the trio stop and play for people all over the Outback, getting the same homophobic, bewildered responses. The weak link in the film is dialogue that seems to have been pulled from "Queer Movie Banter for Dummies," all bitchy and cliché-ridden but fortunately salvaged by strong acting. The most fun comes whenever the three are performing; fans of Abba will be particularly pleased. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Extras

Watch Director Stephan Elliot talk about the film's iconic costumes.

Customer Reviews:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!.......2007-07-05

A must see.......2007-06-27

This is a great movie and a must see. This is much better then what was on TV. Better color and like the extra parts not shown on TV.

must see.......2007-05-24

The original To Wong Foo, really worth a spin. Terrance Stamp and cast are good for a laugh.Drags a bit in spots (pardon the pun), but worth it just to see the costumes, better yet the Aussie wit.

Hugo Weaving is adorable!.......2007-04-16

A bus they name Priscilla.......2007-04-04

Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Stephan Elliott
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000FTNH9W

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: The hit Australian comedy is back in a special 10-year anniversary edition. It blitzed overseas box offices. It caused a near riot at the Cannes Film Festival. It won an Academy Award. Its fun, daring, over-the-top and unforgettable. Its a road movie with attitude and the occasional frock. Three drag queens hit the road in a pink bus called Priscilla and head for Alice Springs to perform a cabaret show unlike anything the locals have seen before. The soundtrack features Abba, Gloria Gaynor and the Village People.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Scene Access, Making Of, Interactive Menu, Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Commentary, Collectors Edition, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Biographies,

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!
A must see
must see
Hugo Weaving is adorable!
A bus they name Priscilla

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar
The Birdcage
Muriel's Wedding
The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Torch Song Trilogy

ASIN: B00004SC8F

Amazon.com essential video

Amazon.com

A surprise hit in America, this 1994 Australian comedy is anchored by Terence Stamp as a transsexual who, in the company of two drag queens, travels to a remote desert location to put on a lip-synch performance--to the amazement of the locals. Getting there on a pink bus named Priscilla, the trio stop and play for people all over the Outback, getting the same homophobic, bewildered responses. The weak link in the film is dialogue that seems to have been pulled from "Queer Movie Banter for Dummies," all bitchy and cliché-ridden but fortunately salvaged by strong acting. The most fun comes whenever the three are performing; fans of Abba will be particularly pleased. --Tom Keogh

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Extras

Watch Director Stephan Elliot talk about the film's iconic costumes.

Customer Reviews:

For G-d's sake Felicia! Take that frock off!.......2007-07-05

A must see.......2007-06-27

This is a great movie and a must see. This is much better then what was on TV. Better color and like the extra parts not shown on TV.

must see.......2007-05-24

The original To Wong Foo, really worth a spin. Terrance Stamp and cast are good for a laugh.Drags a bit in spots (pardon the pun), but worth it just to see the costumes, better yet the Aussie wit.

Hugo Weaving is adorable!.......2007-04-16

A bus they name Priscilla.......2007-04-04

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