The Adventures of Priscialla, Queen of the Desert

Priscilla is the story of three drag queens, including two transvestites (Hugo Weaving, of Agent Smith and Elrond fame, and Guy Pearce) and one transsexual (Terence Stamp), who make a journey from Sydney to Alice Springs to put on a show, travelling in a coach named Priscilla.

A cult favourite, Stephan Elliot’s inspired comedy is one of the best, and definitely among the most memorable films ever to come out of Australia. It features one of the campest yet greatest disco soundtracks out there, complete with Gloria Gaynor and the Village People, and costumes that Dame Edna and Abba would shy from. For all of this it does not comes across as a film whose only audience are the equally camp. The wit comes through often, as does some genuine emotion, especially when the drag queens are suffering from homophobic abuse.

The acting throughout is impeccable. Terence Stamp throws his image as a hardman to the wind as he dons the feather boa, without ever looking in the least embarrassed. This film also made Guy Pearce’s career as one of the few ex-Neighbours cast to go on to become a respected actor in their own right, here as the somewhat chirpy, to say the least, Felicia Jollygoodfellow. (You might have to remind yourself that he is actually married in real life.) This film also brought Hugo Weaving to a much wider audience than he had as a regular on Australian TV dramas. I for one remain incapable of watching The Matrix without constantly thinking “But I’ve seen you in a dress dancing to Mamma Mia!” which can spoil the impact when he’s taking himself so seriously.

Priscilla is a seriously enjoyable film, in Australia it was such an event that many cinemas screened it with disco balls hanging from the ceiling, just don’t blame us if it changes the way you dress.

Review by Rupert Good
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2004

This film is really gay and not only in the colloquial sense of the word. It combines gaiety with an inside view into the life of homo- and transsexuals. Stephan Elliot's second international success is set in Australia. He shows us some colourful figures of the Sydney society whom one would rather expect to meet in LA.

Two gays from Sydney - Teke (Hugo Weaving) and Adam (Guy Pearce) - are offered a transvestite show in Alice Springs in the Australian desert. Bernadette (convincingly portrayed by Terence Stamp) a transsexual and grieving over the recent death of his young lover joins the trek as a distraction. They buy a shabby old bus and set off with their extensive wardrobe. In every spot they pass through an uproar is caused. The ignorance and homophobia of the Australian rednecks makes life difficult and dangerous for the trio. But Adam's extremely queer behaviour walking along main streets of small towns like catwalks in fashion shows makes it impossible for them not to be identified.

Each of the three has his own particular story of life and his own problems and aims. While Adam wants to climb Ayers Rock (a cock in a frock on a rock), Teke keeps on thinking of the forthcoming first meeting with his son(!). Bernadette is portrayed as a crabby, slightly bitter middle-aged dame, whose latent sexuality occasionally bursts through her elegant exterior as she looks for someone to replace her passed away lover.

This film is well worth seeing just for the costumes and wigs, quite apart from the memorable scenes in the Australian desert, and the impressive sight of Guy Pearce (of Neighbours fame) straddling the top of a speeding bus like a champion water skier, trailed by a 50-foot mylar scarf lip-synching opera.

Gorgeous parts are also the showtimes when the three stage their transvestite show with the songs of 70s disco divas.

Review by Jan Lawen
Taken from EUFS Programme 1995-96