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

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Stills from The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Extra Frills Edition)

• To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar
• Muriel's Wedding
• The Birdcage
• The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
• Sordid Lives
• Strictly Ballroom
• Torch Song Trilogy
• Hedwig and the Angry Inch (New Line Platinum Series)
• Shortbus (Unrated Edition)
• Another Gay Movie

The previous no-extras release was pan-and-scan, but the print appears to have been a tad cleaner than the one used for this wide-screen edition. The extras are all right: The best is about how the film came to the big screen.

The weakest is the oddly edited collection of outtakes.

The "behind the scenes with." extra is good, but it is clear that the interviews were each only a few seconds long and nothing like the extended commentary you'll hear on, say, a Peter Jackson extra. The film alone is worth it.

All in all, if five stars is a "Isnt' that faaaaaaaaaaaaabulous." and one star is a "two slags at a pie bake-off", this ranks 4.5 stars. This is perhaps the only decent DVD of this movie available.

The audio commentary is probably the best thing going.

I lost that copy in a move and went out and bought it again. I recommend this for anyone's collection. It's hard to believe this movie was made on a shoe-string budget, and that they could get such an accomplished actor as Terence Stamp. Hugo Weaving, also a favorite of mine from the Matrix and Rings movies is hilarious. The three combine for a hilarious and sometimes emotional rollercoaster ride through the australian outback. I went to see this movie many times when it was at the theater, and I couldn't wait for it to release on DVD. Guy Pierce is so believable in his role.

The "Road Trip Movie" may never be the same again. I don't know what it is about Australia that produces such great movies and actors, but the world of entertainment would be lacking without them. If you are up for a devilishly fun romp, grab a bottle of wine and settle in for a truly funny and outrageous movie experience. That is what I thought and can report I was dead wrong, this movie is simply tons of over-the-top fun ;-). This is not a kids' movie by any means, but that being said, this movie deserves its cult following as one of the most outrageous comedies ever to be produced and shot in the Land Down Under. Now, you may be thinking that you wouldn't like a movie about the adventures and mis-adventures of three drag queens traveling the outback in a giant pink tour bus.

Bravo. I was sent a notice that my order was received. It arrived very quickly and in perfect condition. Everything was handled perfectly. I received a notice when it was sent.

I loved the costumes, the humor, the simple story line; it was a simple but powerful film that has stayed with me now for 14 years. "Do you have the Texas Chainsaw Mascara.". I had never seen Hugo or Guy before and of course recognized Terrance Stamp due to my obsession with the Superman movies as a child. Watching Priscilla, its colors so bright against the red Australian earth, was like opening a door to another world. Not impersonators, but really close. "Is this an ABBA Turd.". "Herpes.if she's good she'll heal".

"what a nice dog, what's its name.". I had been to drag shows before, but the queens I had been around were more of the Tina Turner/Cher/Divine type. I first saw Priscilla back in 1994 at the local "artsy" theater that played independent movies and rocky horror on Friday nights. I still quote this movie.