The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Name: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
Released: August 10, 1994
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving

1994

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

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The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

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Movie Details & Credits

Gramercy Pictures (I) | Release Date: August 10, 1994 | R

Starring: Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving

Summary: Mitzi, Felicia and Bernadette (Weaving, Pearce and Stamp) go to Alice Springs in their bus affectionately named Priscilla, to preform a drag show.

Director: Stephan Elliott

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

It’s a tremendous film that was ahead of its time on LGBT issues and, in some ways, is ahead of ours. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

The generosity and gorgeousness with which Aussie writer-director Stephan Elliott (and costume designers Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel) turn this most unlikely road picture into something arresting - if a tad sentimental - in its naive vision of a perfectly tolerant world. Read full review

David Stratton

A cheerfully vulgar and bitchy, but essentially warmhearted, road movie with a difference, which boasts an amazing star turn by Terence Stamp as a transsexual, Stephan Elliott's second feature is a lot of fun. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

This nicely made 1994 comedy-drama could be described as an Australian "Easy Rider," with Sydney drag queens instead of bikers and no apocalyptic ending. Read full review

Robert Faires

Where drag is concerned, though, the film does anything but drag; Elliott has no compunction about restraint, and Priscilla gushes with bitchy repartee, campy comedy, sappy Seventies pop (Abba! “Billy, Don't Be a Hero”! “Take a Letter, Maria”!), and production numbers so outrageous, they make the Divine Miss M's excess look like the efforts of a Baptist boys' camp. Read full review

Rita Kempley

Writer-director Stephan Elliott is obviously fond of his characters, and this may account for the upbeat story line, but it blinds him to how very annoying two hours of dishing can be. Read full review

Mike Clark

Poor, no-respect ABBA gets tweaked repeatedly in this unexpectedly handsome widescreen import - though, in keeping with the movie's soft tone, the gooning isn't mean-spirited or even all that catty. [10 Aug 1994]

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User Reviews

marcmyworks

Mar 18, 2019

I don't know how anyone can give this film more than full marks. It shows not only the plight of gay men but effeminate gay men in a time and world where there was so much hate for anything against the norm. One of the best LGBTQ films ever made.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Paper_Kay

Feb 9, 2021

I truly love this film - it's one of the rarest portrayals of marginalised societies and loneliness and people constantly looked down on (and believe me, it touches on EVERY version thereof - natives, immigrants, LGBT, rednecks, cabaret...) still keeping it bright and upbeat. Though theI truly love this film - it's one of the rarest portrayals of marginalised societies and loneliness and people constantly looked down on (and believe me, it touches on EVERY version thereof - natives, immigrants, LGBT, rednecks, cabaret...) still keeping it bright and upbeat. Though the leads tackle heavy subjects constantly, their sense of humour is awesome. And this was before it was super fun to be open about anything.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Iky009

Sep 16, 2015

Priscilla is flashy in the first minutes, as the plot progresses was blown away by their amusing, extravagant and charismatic characters, is certainly one of the largest road-movie cinema.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RegOz

Feb 7, 2012

A good movie, that I truly like. I have it in my movie collection. This is by no means one of those Hollywood blockbusters. Although at times it feels slow, it is still engaging and witty. Dialogues are sharp and humorous while there is always an ingredient of sentimentality and nostalgy .A good movie, that I truly like. I have it in my movie collection. This is by no means one of those Hollywood blockbusters. Although at times it feels slow, it is still engaging and witty. Dialogues are sharp and humorous while there is always an ingredient of sentimentality and nostalgy . The movie deals with themes as frienship, love, passion, betrayal, trust, compassion. Hence, it is much more than just another gay comedy for it is a film that explores the different human dimensions. Overall, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, is endearing, touching, and enlightening. It is powerful, without being over emotional or cheesy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Rcavey92212

Jul 31, 2020

When I first saw this film in my adolescence I have to admit I wasn't a very big fan. I found it to be depressing and a bit droll. After revisiting it so many years later I have a slightly better opinion of it. Looking at it with different eyes I appreciate aspects of it that I didn'tWhen I first saw this film in my adolescence I have to admit I wasn't a very big fan. I found it to be depressing and a bit droll. After revisiting it so many years later I have a slightly better opinion of it. Looking at it with different eyes I appreciate aspects of it that I didn't before. If you haven't seen this queer classic it tells the story of a single gay dad who hasn't seen his son in ages and gets contracted by his former wife to do a drag show at a resort in the middle of the desert. The man is surprisingly Hugo Weaving of the Matrix films and he brings along his two friends. An aging transvestite whose just lost her lover played by a solid Terence Stamp and a flirty, young, charasmatic drag queen played by a surprisingly engaging and sexy Guy Pearce of Memento. The film tracks their journey across the desert and all the mishaps that go along with it. In the end I definitely enjoyed it more but it left me wanting a bit more character and story development. That being said it's still a wild, fun stylish ride with a great soundtrack.

Budget: $2M
Box Office: $29.7M

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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