Billy Elliot [2000] | ![Billy Elliot [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HVA9TT81L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Stephen Daldry
Actors: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis
Studio: Uca
Category: DVD
List Price: £15.99
Buy New: £2.68
You Save: £13.31 (83%)
New (30) Used (15) from £1.89
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 524
Format: Anamorphic, Pal
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Subtitled)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 106 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050582037272
ASIN: B000059590
Theatrical Release Date: November 30, 2000
Release Date: April 18, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Foursquare in the gritty-but-hearwarming tradition of Brassed Off and The Full Monty comes Billy Elliot, the first film of noted British theatrical director Stephen Daldry. The setting is County Durham in 1984, and things 'oop North are even grimmer than usual: the miners' strike is in full rancorous swing and 11-year-old Billy's dad and older brother, miners both, are staunch on the picket lines. Billy's got problems of his own. His dad's scraped together the fees to send him to boxing lessons, but Billy's discovered a different aptitude: a genius for ballet dancing. Since admitting to such an activity is tantamount, in this fiercely macho culture, to holding up a sign reading "I AM A RAVING POOF", Billy keeps it quiet. But his teacher, Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters, wearily undaunted) thinks he should audition for ballet school in London. Family ructions are inevitable. Daldry's film sidesteps some of the politics, both sexual and otherwise, but scores with its laconic dialogue (credit to screenwriter Lee Hall) and a cracking performance from newcomer Jamie Bell as Billy. His powerhouse dance routines, more Gene Kelly than Nureyev, carry an irresistible sense of exhilaration and self-discovery. Among a flawless supporting cast Stuart Wells stands out as Billy's sweet gay friend Michael. And if the miners' strike serves largely as background colour, there's one brief episode, as visored and truncheoned cops rampage through neat little terraced houses, that captures one of the most spiteful episodes in recent British history. --Philip Kemp
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| Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...
 wow September 8, 2007
A. Firman (UK)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This has to be one of my favourite films ever. Its such a lovely story and Jamie Bell is amazing as Billy Elliot. Its a must watch!
 All a bit old hat August 18, 2007
Lou Knee (England)
2 out of 12 found this review helpful
This seemed like a totally contrived Brit flick wanting to cash in on the success of films like the Full Monty. It was all put together with spirit and obviously meant well, but it was just so visibly contrived. The miner's strike backdrop looks like a bit of an attachment, and a rather obvious choice to juxtapose young Billy's un-miner's son like activity. Saw this film coming a mile off, and it wasn't exactly groundbreaking stuff.
 I don't like ballet, I'm not into gritty northern coalmining stories, but I really enjoyed this June 13, 2007
Petrolhead (Hong Kong)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Why is it that British film directors seem so obsessed with going "oop narth" for their films? Is it because they think "gritty realism" will counteract Hollywood's schmalz? Because they like to portray a salt of the earth type living amidst the northern hardship and grime? Or because they feel a sense of loyalty to the coal miners who all got laid off during the 1980s? After all, when did you last see a film set in Wales? or Cornwall? or Norfolk?
Anyway, rant over. After all my misgivings, this is a nice film! It's not perfect, but definitely very nice. Jamie Bell is brilliant and sparks charmingly with Julie Chainsmoking-northern lady. It's touching and funny and cheeky as an 11-year-old. I was pleasantly surprised. After all, it wasn't just the northern thing, but the whole ballet thing had put me off: it just seemed so contrived and arty-farty. But in fact, you don't have to like or understand ballet to enjoy the film. My misgivings were misplaced. I recommend seeing it.
(But I wouldn't blame you if you can't stand the thought of it!)
A typically over-rated British film April 2, 2007
S. R. M. Penney (West Drayton, UK)
3 out of 13 found this review helpful
What do the following films have in common: The Full Monty, East is East, Bend it Like Beckham, Little Voice, Shallow Grave? They are all British films and all ridiculously over-rated. And Billy Elliot sits right at the top of that list of shame.
A working class lad develops a passion for ballet and against the antipathy of his father and peers achieves his ambition. All this against the back drop of the miners' strike of the 1980s. Nothing wrong with the basic plot but as the film made its way from one over-acted scene to the next I started to lose the will to live. The characters - with the exception of Jamie Bell's Billy - are clichéd and predictable. Furthermore, much has been made of the dancing but young Master Bell's attempts at dancing reminded me of an over-excited 11 year old at a school disco.
Billy Elliot March 21, 2006
Mrs. I. Curle (Scotland)
6 out of 9 found this review helpful
Wonderful inspiring film, Billy's impromptu dance with his dancing teacher to I Love To Boogie was brilliant, just wanted to join in!!
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