Billy Elliot: Special Edition DVD Review:

Billy Elliot tells the story of an eleven-year old boy whose dream is to become a ballet dancer, set against the background of the miner’s strike in 1984 in Northern England. Hiding this from his father, he takes up secret ballet lessons with a teacher, played by Julie Walters. Drama and comedy go hand in hand in the portrayal of adolescent growing pains. When the big moment of the audition comes, will Billy’s family accept his choice? Dad (yes, that’s what he’s called on the credits) had imagined his son as a boxer, and can’t shake the idea that ballet dancing has something to do with effeminacy; this is a story not just about ballet but about the relationship between father and son, youthful rebellion and community, in which anyone can find echoes of their own growth. Twists and surprises make the story anything but a conventional tale, right up to the last moment.

First-time director Stephen Daldry brings a sure touch to the film, with many surprising comic moments (maybe the most memorable visual pun is the schoolchildren trailing sticks against a wall which then becomes a line of police shields). The children are sensitive, humorous and resilient. My only reservation is that the script tweaks its moments of drama by suggesting that when working class families have an argument, someone is going to get hit. A ballet lover might be surprised by the lack of ballet music – in fact the film uses music wonderfully, T-Rex and the Clash; London Calling is played against the charge of the police against the members of the community. A cynic might wonder where Billy learned to tip-tap, since we only see him working at ballet. But that’s carping; this film was a great success on its release and watching it again it does seem to be that unusual gift – a film that reminds you why you go to the cinema, rather than offering an opportunity to watch something as you munch popcorn, say. Jamie Bell’s career seems to have taken the turn it deserved after this film, leading to roles in the recently completed The Chumscrubber and the Peter Jackson remake of King Kong among other things.

BONUS MATERIAL

Disc Two

The real Billy Elliot Diaries

This tells the story of the three boys chosen to play Billy Elliot in the musical launched in the west end’s Victoria Palace Theatre. All three played Billy alternating the role in the musical during the week, since what was required would have been too exhausting for any one of them. Each was chosen from the north of England, each had to be able to sing dance and act. The background of the boys and their family are shown, cutting back to scenes from the film that parallel the real-life stories. We see Stephen Daldry and Elton John giving the boys advice on their stage roles, and moments from the stage musical itself.

From Screen to Stage

As the theatre people point out, the task of looking for boys talented enough to take on a role that demanded singing voices, acting ability, as well as ballet and tip-tap skills was pretty daunting. This extra is basically the story of the auditions process. Stephen Daldry discusses the beginnings of the musical project, from his meeting with Elton John at the Cannes film festival (where the film was first shown publicly) who proposed the adaptation into a musical. The differences between film and musical are emphasised, the musical offering the opportunity to concentrate on some of the personal drama and the community during the miners’ strike. We don’t get to see much of the musical, though we do hear Elton John’s ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher’ with its surprising lyrics – how many musicals deal with industrial wage labour issues? This and other songs are played over the auditions in which a truly incredible number of talented hopefuls take part.

Billy Eliot the musical

This is a brief advert for the musical.

The film

Deleted scenes with director’s commentary.

Billy’s story. These are scenes cut from the beginning and end of the film that show Billy at school and home. There is a funny classroom scene in which children ask a despairing teacher if the coal belongs to God or the government.

Tony’s story.

A number of scenes between Billy and brother Tony show the more sympathetic side of Tony, with conversations about their mother and girls, and a scene in which Billy spies on his brother making out with a girl.

Dad’s story

Scenes of Dad’s (that’s the name in the credits) relationship with Billy, as well as his arrest by the Police. Daldry comments on the political context of the story and the aftermath of the strike on the community they filmed in. There is an extended version of the farewell scene between Tony and Billy.

Extended scenes

These are scenes that exist in the DVD version but which were filmed with small variations, with Daldry’s commentary. The three are versions of Billy’s failed boxing attempt, the supermarket encounter with the scab, and the audition for the Royal Ballet.

The music

There are nine songs from the film with optional commentary. Billy Elliot is remarkable for its use of music, most notably T-Rex (Cosmic Dancer) and the Clash (London calling) with Daldry’s notes on their use in the film and comments on the scenes shown. Alongside the pop and punk Tchaickovsky can also be heard on the last number.

Subtitles

There are subtitles in English for the hard of hearing (SDH).

Overall

Billy Elliott glided its way effortlessly into the nation’s hearts as one of the most loved UK films of recent memory. Thankfully this new special edition doesn’t negate any of those feelings, and with Jamie Bell finally following up on the promise he showed in this (was it just five years ago?) this special edition is well worth your while.



Dominic Gavin