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Movies / On DVD / Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot

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Billy Elliot (2000)

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85 %
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Reviews Counted: 110

Fresh: 93

Rotten:17

Average Rating: 7.2/10

Consensus: Billy Elliot is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] language

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Oct 13, 2000 Wide

Box Office: $17,731,130

Synopsis: The life of 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before... The life of 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class's exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters). With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential. Rather forgetting the other ballerinas, she's drawn into teaching her new protégé.

But Billy must keep his participation in the class a secret from his widowed father (Gary Lewis) and overbearing brother (Jamie Draven), as both men are on strike from their jobs at the mine, and are struggling just to keep food on the table. Their pent up frustrations finally explode when they discover Billy has been squandering his boxing money on less than manly pursuits.

Banned from ballet, and troubled by the diminishing mental capacity of his grandmother (Jean Heywood), Billy finds solace with his school friend Michael (Stuart Wells) which deepens into a touching friendship. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilkinson encourages Billy to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London, where he can refine his craft while escaping his oppressive surroundings.

But he is torn between his responsibility to his family and to the gift with which he has been blessed. For his overwhelming desire to dance is more than a means of self-expression. It is his passion, and it is his destiny. [More]

Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven

Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven

Director: Stephen Daldry

Director: Stephen Daldry
Screenwriter: Lee Hall
Producer: Greg Brenman, John Finn
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Studio: Universal Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 17, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Billy Elliot

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/23/08
David Rooney
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

When sticking with Billy and his inspirational story, director Stephen Daldry hits all the right steps.

Full Review Source: Mr. Brown's Movies | comment Comment
10/14/07
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
01/09/04
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

Daldry coaches an astonishing performance from Bell.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
06/10/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Susan Tavernetti
Palo Alto Weekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

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Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks | comment Comment
01/10/03
Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
12/02/02
Claire Monk
Sight and Sound

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/30/02
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

The story is familiar, to be sure, but director Stephen Daldry and writer Lee Hall tell it so persuasively it's irresistible, and the movie's score of vintage T. Rex classics could do for glam-rock what "The Full Monty" did for disco.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
06/15/02
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Billy Elliot earns every one of its sentiments and emotions without getting overly manipulative or preachy

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/19/02
Collin Souter
eFilmCritic.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
03/19/02
Globe and Mail
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Latest News for Billy Elliot

January 08, 2009: RT Interview: Jamie Bell talks Defiance and Dance
Jamie Bell tap-danced his way into the national consciousness with his breakthrough performance in Billy Elliot nine years ago. Since then he has worked with heavyweight screen... More...

August 27, 2007: Video Exclusive: Jamie Bell talks Hallam Foe, accents and Equus with RT
Rotten Tomatoes sits down with one of Britain's finest young talents to find out about his latest turn. More...

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