View source for Billy Elliot

{{short description|2000 film directed by Stephen Daldry}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2014}}
{{hatgrp|{{about|the film|the musical|Billy Elliot the Musical{{!}}''Billy Elliot the Musical''|other uses|Billy Elliot (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Bill Elliott}}}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Billy Elliot
| image          = Billy Elliot movie.jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = US theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Stephen Daldry]]
| producer       = {{ubl|[[Greg Brenman]]|Jon Finn}}
| writer         = [[Lee Hall (playwright)|Lee Hall]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Julie Walters]]
* [[Gary Lewis (actor)|Gary Lewis]]
* [[Jamie Bell]]
* Jamie Draven
* [[Adam Cooper (dancer)|Adam Cooper]]}}<!--As per poster block, Bell is credited below Walters and Lewis-->
| music          = [[Stephen Warbeck]]
| cinematography = [[Brian Tufano]]
| editing        = John Wilson
| studio         = {{ubl|[[Universal Pictures]]|[[StudioCanal]]|[[BBC Films]]|[[Working Title Films]]|[[Tiger Aspect Productions|Tiger Aspect Pictures]]}}
| distributor    = [[United International Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|2000|09|29}}
| runtime        = 110 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 110:09--><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/CFF163566 | title=Billy Elliot (15) |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |date=21 August 2000 |access-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107210122/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/billy-elliot-1970-1 |archive-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country        = United Kingdom
| language       = English
| budget         = $5 million<ref name="box off mojo">{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0249462/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 | title=Billy Elliot |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] | date=2020-01-03 | access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref>
| gross          = $109.3 million<ref name="box off mojo" />
}}
'''''Billy Elliot''''' is a 2000 British [[coming-of-age]] [[Comedy film|comedy]]-[[drama film]] directed by [[Stephen Daldry]] and written by [[Lee Hall (playwright)|Lee Hall]]. Set in [[County Durham]] in [[North East England]] during the [[1984–1985 miners' strike]], the film is about a working-class boy who has a passion for [[ballet]]. His father objects, based on [[Western stereotype of the male ballet dancer|negative stereotypes of male ballet dancers]]. The film stars [[Jamie Bell]] as 11-year-old Billy, [[Gary Lewis (actor)|Gary Lewis]] as his father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older brother, and [[Julie Walters]] as his ballet teacher.

Adapted from a play called ''Dancer'' by Lee Hall, development on the film began in 1999. Around 2,000 boys were considered for the role of Billy before Bell was chosen. Filming began in the North East of England in August 1999. [[Greg Brenman]] and Jon Finn served as producers, while [[Stephen Warbeck]] composed the film's score. ''Billy Elliot'' is a co-production among [[BBC Films]], [[Tiger Aspect Productions|Tiger Aspect Pictures]] and [[Working Title Films]].

The film premiered at the [[2000 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref name=cannespremiere>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/billy-elliot-and-the-miners-strike-97mfqfh3kw7|title=Billy Elliot and the miners' strike|date=2005-03-13|work=The Times|access-date=2020-01-02|language=en|issn=0140-0460|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102205048/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/billy-elliot-and-the-miners-strike-97mfqfh3kw7|archive-date=2 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>  and began a wider theatrical release in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2000 by [[Universal Pictures]] through [[United International Pictures]]. ''Billy Elliot'' received positive critical response and commercial success, earning $109.3&nbsp;million worldwide on a $5&nbsp;million budget. At the [[54th British Academy Film Awards]], the film won three of thirteen award nominations. Jamie Bell became the youngest winner of [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]. The film also earned three nominations at the [[73rd Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]], [[Best Original Screenplay]] and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]].

In 2001, the film was adapted as a novel by [[Melvin Burgess]]. The story was also adapted for the [[West End theatre|West End]] stage as ''[[Billy Elliot the Musical]]'', first produced in 2005. It opened in Australia in 2007 and on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in [[New York City]] in 2008.

== Plot ==
In 1984, Billy Elliot, an 11-year-old from the fictional Everington in [[County Durham]], England, loves to dance and has hopes of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Billy lives with his widowed father, Jackie, and older brother, Tony, both coal miners out on [[1984–1985 United Kingdom miners' strike|strike]] (the latter being the union delegate). His maternal grandmother lives with them; she has [[Alzheimer's disease]] and had once aspired to be a professional dancer.

Billy's father sends him to the gym to learn boxing, but Billy dislikes the sport. He happens to see a ballet class that is using the gym while their usual basement studio is being used temporarily as a [[soup kitchen]] for the striking miners. Unbeknownst to Jackie, Billy joins the ballet class. When Jackie discovers this, he forbids Billy to take any more ballet classes. But, passionate about dancing, the boy secretly continues his lessons with the help of his dance teacher, Sandra Wilkinson.

Sandra believes that Billy is talented enough to study at the [[Royal Ballet School]] in London, but due to Tony's arrest during a clash between police and striking miners, Billy misses the audition. Sandra tells Jackie about the missed opportunity but, fearing that Billy will be considered to be [[gay]], both Jackie and Tony are outraged at the prospect of him becoming a professional ballet dancer.

Over Christmas, Billy learns his best friend, Michael, is gay. Billy is supportive of his friend. Later, Jackie catches Billy and Michael dancing in the gym, and realizes his son is truly passionate. Although stunned at first, he resolves to do whatever it takes to help Billy attain his dream. Sandra tries to persuade Jackie to let her pay for the audition, but he replies that Billy is his son and he does not need charity. Jackie attempts to [[strikebreaker|cross the picket line]] to pay for the trip to London, but Tony stops him. Instead, his fellow miners and the neighbourhood raise some money, and Jackie pawns Billy's mother's jewellery to cover the cost, and Jackie takes him to London to audition.

Although very nervous, Billy performs well. He punches another boy in frustration at the audition, and fears that he has ruined his chances. He is rebuked by the review board and, when asked what it feels like when he is dancing, struggles for words. He says that it is "like electricity". Seemingly rejected, Billy returns home with his father. Sometime later, the Royal Ballet School sends him a letter of acceptance, coinciding with the end of the miners' strike, and Billy leaves home to study in London.

In 1998, 25-year-old Billy performs as the Swan in [[Matthew Bourne]]'s ''[[Swan Lake (Bourne)|Swan Lake]]'' with Jackie, Tony, and Michael watching from the audience. As Billy takes the stage, his father is overcome with emotion while the other dancers watch from the wings.

==Cast==
{{castlist|* [[Jamie Bell]] as Billy Elliot
** [[Adam Cooper (dancer)|Adam Cooper]] as Billy aged 25
* [[Julie Walters]] as Sandra Wilkinson
* [[Gary Lewis (actor)|Gary Lewis]] as Jackie Elliot
* Jamie Draven as Tony Elliot
* [[Jean Heywood]] as Grandma
* [[Stuart Wells]] as Michael Caffrey
** Merryn Owen as Michael aged 25
* Nicola Blackwell as Debbie Wilkinson
* Colin Maclachlan as Tom Wilkinson
* [[Mike Elliott (comedian)|Mike Elliott]] as George Watson
* [[Billy Fane]] as Mr Braithwaite
* Janine Birkett as Jenny Elliot
* [[Charlie Hardwick]] as Sheila Briggs
* [[Matthew James Thomas]] as Simon
* [[Stephen Mangan]] as Dr Crane
* [[Patrick Malahide]] as Royal Ballet School  principal}}

==Production==

=== Development ===
Lee Hall developed ''Billy Elliot'' from his play ''Dancer'', which premiered as a rehearsed reading in 1998 at the [[Live Theatre]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee Hall interview: Why Lee will always love Live Theatre |date=17 June 2014 |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/culture-news/lee-hall-interview-lee-always-7279467 |work=[[The Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne newspaper)|The Journal]] |access-date=6 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106235237/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/culture-news/lee-hall-interview-lee-always-7279467 |archive-date=6 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was heavily influenced by photographer [[Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen]]'s book ''Step by Step'', about a dancing school in nearby [[North Shields]]. Writing in 2009, Hall said that "almost every frame of ''Billy Elliot'' was influenced by ''Step by Step'' [...] as every member of the design team carried around their own copy."<ref>{{cite book |title=Byker Revisited |first=Sirkka-Liisa |last=Konttinen |page=vi |publisher=Northumbria Press |isbn=978-1904794424 |year=2009}}</ref>

Hall met with director Stephen Daldry, who was working at the [[Royal Court Theatre]] at the time. At first, Daldry was not convinced with the script, but said, "I liked the emotional honesty of ''Billy Elliot.'' Also Lee writes brilliant kids. And there's a series of themes in it I rather enjoyed: Grief; finding means of self-identification through some sort of creative act, in this case dance; and the miner's strike itself."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2000/10/interview-stephen-daldry-dances-to-success-with-billy-elliot-81337/|title=Interview: Stephen Daldry Dances to Success with "Billy Elliot"|date=2000-10-17|website=[[IndieWire]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102200205/https://www.indiewire.com/2000/10/interview-stephen-daldry-dances-to-success-with-billy-elliot-81337/|archive-date=2 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Working Title Films]] approached Daldry to become director and he accepted the offer. The [[BBC]] financed the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr247/mitchell.htm|title=Interview: Lee Hall, screenwriter of Billy Elliot|website=pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704151046/http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr247/mitchell.htm|archive-date=4 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
Thousands of boys were considered for the lead role. The producers were looking for a boy in a specific geographical area with a dance background. Jamie Bell had about seven auditions in total before eventually in mid-1999, it was announced that he would play the lead role in the film.<ref name=":0" /> [[Peter Darling]], the film's choreographer, worked with Bell for "eight hours a day for three months, finding out what drove him as a dancer." Julie Walters accepted the role of Sandra Wilkinson. Walters called the script "moving", explaining, "It was a diamond in the sand [...] I loved the character, and the fact that she was disappointed on every level possible. She was so grim and jaded. Her relationship with the boy was so unusual".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/may/14/features|title=Julie Walters: An actress in her prime|last=Mottram|first=James|date=2001-05-14|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-02|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102200204/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/may/14/features|archive-date=2 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In preparation for filming, Gary Lewis met with miners which he said was beneficial.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.erasingclouds.com/02lewis.html|title=The Good Times: films, awards and Italy. An interview with actor Gary Lewis.|last=Battista|first=Anna|date=2001|website=www.erasingclouds.com|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref> Lewis stated that his own personal experience of the miners' strike made the role enjoyable. "My family and I were very active in supporting the miners: I stood in picket lines, I raised money for the miners and I was involved in the whole campaign to stop [...] closing the pits. Basically, it was the state that launched a complete attack on a section of the work force, a section of the working class. Lots of people responded with solidarity and that was a key element in the script: solidarity working at different levels, the collective solidarity, the economic solidarity."<ref name=":7" />

===Filming===
[[File:Avon Street, Easington Colliery.jpg|thumb|Terraced homes on Avon Street, [[Easington Colliery]], were used for filming, where Andrew and Alnwick Streets once stood. |alt=Terraced homes on Avon Street|195x195px]]
[[Principal photography]] lasted seven weeks, beginning in August 1999.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://cinema.com/articles/160/billy-elliot-production-notes.phtml|title=Billy Elliot : Production Notes|website=cinema.com|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref> Most of the film, including the interior of the Elliot home at 5 Alnwick Street, was shot on location in the [[Easington Colliery]] area, with the producers using over 400 locals as extras.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/sep/28/billy-elliot-musical-easington-village-screening |title=Village shares its Billy Elliot stories at live screening of West End show |work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=28 September 2014 |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072410/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/sep/28/billy-elliot-musical-easington-village-screening |archive-date=10 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The mining scenes were filmed at the [[Ellington Colliery|Ellington]] and [[Lynemouth Colliery]] in [[Northumberland]], with some filming in [[Dawdon]], [[Middlesbrough]] and Newcastle upon Tyne.<ref name="bbctyne_feature">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2006/04/07/hollywood_on_tyne_billy_elliot_04_2006_feature.shtml|title=Feature: Billy Elliot|date=17 October 2006|work=BBC Tyne|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629123134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2006/04/07/hollywood_on_tyne_billy_elliot_04_2006_feature.shtml|archive-date=29 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Andrew Street and Alnwick Street, where the characters live, were two of several streets demolished in 2003 after becoming [[Urban decay|derelict]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2386705.stm|title=Billy Elliott's house to be bulldozed|date=1 November 2002|website=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410074943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2386705.stm|archive-date=10 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> The cemetery scene was filmed at Lynemouth Cemetery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dying+for+someone+to+take+care+of+cemetery%3B+PLEA+FOR+LANDOWNERS+TO...-a0181664854 |title=Dying for someone to take care of cemetery; Plea for landowners to clean up overgrown graveyard |work=[[Evening Chronicle]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=22 July 2008 |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072235/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dying+for+someone+to+take+care+of+cemetery%3B+PLEA+FOR+LANDOWNERS+TO...-a0181664854 |archive-date=10 April 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> School scenes were filmed in [[Langley Park, County Durham|Langley Park]] Primary School.<ref name="locations">{{Cite web|url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/Billy-Elliot.php|title=Filming Locations for Billy Elliot (2000)|website=The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101130142/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/Billy-Elliot.php|archive-date=1 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Other filming locations include the Green Drive Railway Viaduct in [[Seaham]], [[Tees Transporter Bridge]], [[New Wardour Castle]] and [[Theatre Royal Haymarket|Theatre Royal]] in [[Haymarket, London|Haymarket]].<ref name="locations" /><ref name="reel">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reelstreets.com/films/billy-elliot/|title=Reelstreets {{!}} Billy Elliot|website=www.reelstreets.com|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101130143/https://www.reelstreets.com/films/billy-elliot/|archive-date=1 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Daldry remarked in an interview: "The shooting schedule was a nightmare; we only had seven weeks. Kids can only work nine to five and you can't work Saturdays. And the kid had to dance the whole time. So it was tight."<ref name=":0" /> Producer Jon Finn spoke of the difficulties of seeking filming locations: "We didn't realise how hard it would be to find working [[Open-pit mining|pits]]."<ref name=":8" />

==Music==
{{Infobox album
| name         = Billy Elliot
| type         = soundtrack
| artist       = Various artists
| cover        =
| alt          =
| released     = 2000
| recorded     = 2000
| venue        =
| studio       =
| genre        = [[Punk rock]], [[Glam rock]], [[Pop music|Pop]], [[New wave music|New wave]]
| length       = 51:34
| label        = [[Polydor Records]]
| producer     = Various artists
| prev_title   =
| prev_year    =
| next_title   =
| next_year    =
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Billy Elliot: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
 | type        = soundtrack
 | single1     = [[I Believe (Stephen Gately song)|I Believe]]
 | single1date = 14 October 2000
}}
}}
[[Stephen Warbeck]] scored the [[incidental music]] for the film. [[Polydor Records]] released the soundtrack on 11 March 2002, which includes several well-known glam rock and punk songs from [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]] and [[The Clash]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/billy-elliot-mr0001347394|title=Billy Elliot – Original Soundtrack {{!}} Release Info|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227160839/https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/billy-elliot-mr0001347394|archive-date=27 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The soundtrack also contains pieces of dialogue from the film.

{{Track listing
| headline = Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| title1 = [[Electric Warrior|Cosmic Dancer]]
| music1 = [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]]
| length1 = 4:28
| title2 = Boys Play Football
| music2 = Jamie Bell & Gary Lewis
| length2 = 0:52
| title3 = [[Bang a Gong (Get It On)]]
| music3 = T. Rex
| length3 = 4:24
| title4 = Mother's Letter
| music4 = Jamie Bell & Julie Walters
| length4 = 0:40
| title5 = [[I Believe (Stephen Gately song)|I Believe]]
| music5 = [[Stephen Gately]]
| length5 = 3:27
| title6 = [[Town Called Malice]]
| music6 = [[The Jam]]
| length6 = 2:53
| title7 = The Sun Will Come Out
| music7 = Jamie Bell, Nicole Blackwell & Julie Walters
| length7 = 0:50
| title8 = [[I Love to Boogie]]
| music8 = T. Rex
| length8 = 2:11
| title9 = [[Living in the Present Future|Burning Up]]
| music9 = [[Eagle-Eye Cherry]]
| length9 = 4:14
| title10 = Royal Ballet School
| music10 = Jamie Bell & Julie Walters
| length10 = 1:11
| title11 = [[London Calling]]
| music11 = [[The Clash]]
| length11 = 3:20
| title12 = [[Children of the Revolution (song)|Children of the Revolution]]
| music12 = T. Rex
| length12 = 4:44
| title13 = Audition Panel
| music13 = Jamie Bell & Barbara Leigh Hunt
| length13 = 0:33
| title14 = [[Shout to the Top!]]
| music14 = [[The Style Council]]
| length14 = 4:14
| title15 = [[Walls Come Tumbling Down!]]
| music15 = The Style Council
| length15 = 3:21
| title16 = [[Ride a White Swan]]
| music16 = T. Rex
| length16 = 2:14
| title17 = Cosmic Dancer (Reprise)
| music17 = T. Rex
| length17 = 4:27
| total_length = 51:34
| all_writing =
}}

==Reception and legacy==

=== Box office ===
''Billy Elliot'' premiered on 19 May at the [[2000 Cannes Film Festival]] under the title ''Dancer''.<ref name=cannespremiere></ref> It was later decided to re-title the film ''Billy Elliot'' to avoid confusion with ''[[Dancer in the Dark]]'', another film at Cannes that year. ''Billy Elliot'' was theatrically released on 29 September 2000 in the United Kingdom by Universal Pictures through [[United International Pictures]]. In the United States,  [[Universal Focus]] released the film on 13 October 2000.<ref name=":9" /> Against expectations, the film grossed $109,280,263 worldwide, including $24 million in the United Kingdom and $22 million in the United States and Canada.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0249462/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Billy Elliot|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=32|title=U.K.'s Top 10 in 2000|date=February 19, 2001|edition=AFM 2001: Film Market Preview}}</ref> [[Universal Home Entertainment]] released ''Billy Elliot'' on [[VHS]] on 20 April 2001, and on [[Blu-ray]] on 10 January 2012. The Blu-ray includes a short documentary of the film's production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Billy-Elliot|title=Billy Elliot (2000) – Financial Information|website=The Numbers|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Billy Elliot Blu-ray|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Billy-Elliot-Blu-ray/33802/|website=blu-ray.com|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
[[File:Jamie Bell by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|[[Jamie Bell]] (pictured in 2015) won the [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|BAFTA Award for Best Lead Actor]], becoming the youngest winner in the category.|216x216px]]
On review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 119 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.30/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "''Billy Elliot'' is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/billy_elliot|title=Billy Elliot (2000)|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127040601/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/billy_elliot/|archive-date=27 November 2017|access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 74 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/billy-elliot|title=Billy Elliot Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505230815/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/billy-elliot|archive-date=5 May 2018|access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com/|title=CinemaScore|publisher=[[CinemaScore]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102130540/https://www.cinemascore.com/|archive-date=2 January 2018|access-date=2020-01-02}} (Type 'Billy Elliot' in the search box.)</ref>

Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three out of four stars, calling the film "as much parable and fantasy as it is realistic". He said Bell's performance was "engaging", Lewis was "convincing" and Walters was "spirited and colourful".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/billy-elliot-2000/ |title=Billy Elliot |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |work=RogerEbert.com |publisher=Ebert Digital LLC |access-date=9 April 2018 |date=13 October 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227212916/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/billy-elliot-2000 |archive-date=27 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' praised the film saying, "This is a film with a lot of charm, a lot of humour and a lot of heart. Daldry's direction and the screenplay by Lee Hall distinguish themselves further in the discreet, intelligent way ... ''Billy Elliot'' has a freshness that makes it a pleasure to watch; it's a very emphatic success".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2000-09-29|title=Billy Elliot|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/sep/29/1|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229004813/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/sep/29/1|archive-date=29 December 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> David Rooney of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' also praised the cast, writing, "Relationships between all the characters are well observed—the father and his sons, the two brothers, and Billy and his grandmother, his friend Michael and jaded Mrs. Wilkinson—all of them yielding sweet, unforced feel-good moments". Rooney also praised the cinematography, visuals and soundtrack in showing Billy's rebelliousness.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rooney|first=David|date=2000-05-22|title=Billy Elliot|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/billy-elliot-4-1200462157/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226180206/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/billy-elliot-4-1200462157/|archive-date=26 December 2019|access-date=2019-12-26|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> Charlotte O'Sullivan of ''[[The Independent]]'' wrote the cast are "near perfect", adding the film is "as raw a slice of escapism as you could wish for".<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Sullivan|first=Charlotte|date=2008-11-21|title=First Impressions: Billy Elliot (2000)|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-impressions-billy-elliot-2000-1027341.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102223256/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-impressions-billy-elliot-2000-1027341.html|archive-date=2 January 2020|access-date=2020-01-02|website=[[The Independent]]|language=en}}</ref> [[William Gallagher (writer)|William Gallagher]] from the BBC gave the film five out of five stars, writing, "It's a simple tale but one that is extremely well told and acted. Fittingly for a story about dance, it doesn't put a foot wrong and is engrossing, funny, very sad, very moving and very uplifting."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gallagher|first=William|date=2000-10-11|title=BBC – Films – Billy Elliot|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/09/11/billy_elliot_review.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201015718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/09/11/billy_elliot_review.shtml|archive-date=1 December 2017|access-date=2020-01-02|website=BBC}}</ref>

Some critics gave a mixed response. [[Time Out (magazine)|''Timeout'']] magazine believes that "Daldry overuses the dance as a metaphor for escape and frustration, and choreographer Peter Darling's grandstanding ballet numbers sit a little uneasily, given the realist comedy pitch".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/billy-elliot|title=Billy Elliot|website=Time Out London|date=10 September 2012 |language=en|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707225240/https://www.timeout.com/london/film/billy-elliot|archive-date=7 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' notes that there were "patches of thinness and predictability", and that "the first half seems to acknowledge its own triteness". However, he compliments the pacing of the scenes and the actors who "inhabit their roles like second-hand suits".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/movies/film-review-escaping-a-miner-s-life-for-a-career-in-ballet.html|title=Film Review; Escaping a Miner's Life For a Career in Ballet|last=Scott|first=A. O.|author-link=A.O. Scott|date=2000-10-13|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226180206/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/movies/film-review-escaping-a-miner-s-life-for-a-career-in-ballet.html|archive-date=26 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Holcomb, writing for ''[[IndieWire]]'', took issue with the "odd, unsuccessful mix of theatrical whimsy and social realism", and a dance scene which he describes as a "cringe-inducing '80s-style music video routine".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2000/10/review-mixed-steps-pleasing-and-predictable-billy-elliot-81347/|title=Review: Mixed Steps, Pleasing and Predictable "Billy Elliot"|last=Holcomb|first=Mark|date=2000-10-12|website=IndieWire|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102223244/https://www.indiewire.com/2000/10/review-mixed-steps-pleasing-and-predictable-billy-elliot-81347/|archive-date=2 January 2020|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref>

=== Themes ===
Poverty and [[social class]] have been seen as major themes of the film. Author Rebecca Mahon observed the film has a realistic setting; the early scenes emphasising the miners' strike, the death of Billy's mother and the family's financial situation.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Billy Elliot|last=Mahon, Rebecca.|date=2003|publisher=Pascal Press|others=Daldry, Stephen.|isbn=1-74125-037-4|location=Glebe, NSW|pages=14|oclc=224040491}}</ref> Daldry adds, "It doesn't matter where you are in the world, people understand the idea that you're part of an industrial, working class group that is being discarded. And its question—of what happens to communities devastated by de-industrialisation and [[privatisation]]". In addition to social class, Daldry states that the film is about finding a voice—"someone trying to express himself or herself".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1096401/director-stephen-daldry-on-billy-elliot-the-meaning-and-message-behind-the-films-most-memorable-scene/|title=Why Billy Elliot's most memorable scene still resonates across the world|last=Mohdin|first=Aamna|website=Quartz|date=6 October 2017 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103120809/https://qz.com/1096401/director-stephen-daldry-on-billy-elliot-the-meaning-and-message-behind-the-films-most-memorable-scene/|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Koller-Alonso writes that gender differences are expressed by showing girls attending ballet classes, while their male counterparts are having [[boxing]] lessons. Homosexuality, a taboo subject in the 1980s, as well as [[police brutality]] are depicted and explored in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/what-billy-elliot-taught-us-about-british-history/|title=What Billy Elliot Taught Us About British History|last=Koller-Alonso|first=Sara|website=Culture Trip|date=4 March 2016|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103120811/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/what-billy-elliot-taught-us-about-british-history/|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders awards-table" style="table-layout: fixed; margin-right: 0; "
|+
! scope="col" |Award
! scope="col" |Category
! scope="col" |Recipients)
! scope="col" |Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Ref
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[73rd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
|[[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{sort|Daldry|Stephen Daldry}}
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2001-02-13 |title=Walters leads UK Oscars charge |language=en-GB |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1168138.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103101155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1168138.stm |archive-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
|[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|{{sort|Walters|Julie Walters}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Best Original Screenplay]]
| {{sort|Hall|Lee Hall}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[American Cinema Editors]]
|Best Edited Dramatic Feature Film
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{nom}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cinemajam.com/mag/interviews/john-wilson|title=John Wilson Interview – "Billy Elliot" and "Downton Abbey" editor|date=2017-01-23|website=The Spread|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103111026/http://cinemajam.com/mag/interviews/john-wilson|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Art Directors Guild]]
|Feature Film
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{nom}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adg.org/awards/adg/winners/2001/|title=ADG Awards Winner & Nominees|website=adg.org|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805211840/https://adg.org/awards/adg/winners/2001/|archive-date=5 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Australian Film Institute]]
|Best Foreign Film
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{nom}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Awards |url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/past-awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225184513/https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/past-awards/ |archive-date=25 December 2019 |access-date=2020-01-03 |website=www.aacta.org |language=en-AU}} Click on 'Additional Awards'.</ref>
|-
| rowspan="13" |[[54th British Academy Film Awards|British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|''Billy Elliot''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="13" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film in 2001 {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2001/film |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]
|{{sort|Bell|Jamie Bell}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]]
|{{sort|Daldry|Stephen Daldry}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer|Carl Foreman Award for Most Promising Newcomer in British Film]]
|{{sort|Daldry|Stephen Daldry}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|{{sort|Hall|Lee Hall}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
|{{sort|Hall|Lee Hall}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Outstanding British Film]]
|''Billy Elliot''
| {{won}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Actor in a Supporting Role]]
|{{sort|Lewis|Gary Lewis}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|{{sort|Walters|Julie Walters}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music]]
|{{sort|Warbeck|Stephen Warbeck}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
|{{sort|Tufano|Brian Tufano}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]]
|{{sort|Wilson|John Wilson}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
|{{sort|Holding|Mark Holding}}, {{sort|Smith|Mike Prestwood Smith}}, and {{sort|Hayward|Zane Hayward}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[British Independent Film Awards]]
|[[BIFA Award for Best British Independent Film|Best British Independent Film]]
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="4" align="center" |<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/billy-elliot-wins-four-major-titles-at-british-awards-638168.html|title='Billy Elliot' wins four major titles at British awards|date=2000-10-26|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103038/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/billy-elliot-wins-four-major-titles-at-british-awards-638168.html|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[British Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performance|Best Newcomer]]
|{{sort|Bell|Jamie Bell}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[British Independent Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{sort|Daldry|Stephen Daldry}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|{{sort|Hall|Lee Hall}}
|{{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[58th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1379168/Billy-Elliot-is-nominated-for-Golden-Globe-award.html|title=Billy Elliot is nominated for Golden Globe award|journal=The Daily Telegraph|last=Davis|first=Simon|date=2000-12-22|access-date=2020-01-03|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103031/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1379168/Billy-Elliot-is-nominated-for-Golden-Globe-award.html|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelso |first=Paul |date=2000-12-22 |title=Billy Elliot listed for Golden Globe award |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/22/filmnews.film |url-status=live |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103026/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/22/filmnews.film |archive-date=3 January 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
|-
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]]
|{{sort|Walters|Julie Walters}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[7th Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
|[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]]
|{{sort|Bell|Jamie Bell}}
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1154689.stm|title=Jamie's dance to fame|date=2001-02-06|access-date=2020-01-03|work=BBC|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103030/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1154689.stm|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><br /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=The 7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards {{!}} Screen Actors Guild Awards |url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/7th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706041918/https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/7th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards |archive-date=6 July 2019 |access-date=2020-01-03 |website=www.sagawards.org |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role]]
|{{sort|Walters|Julie Walters}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]]
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6" |[[London Film Critics Circle Awards 2000|London Film Critics' Circle]]
|British Newcomer of the Year
|{{sort|Bell|Jamie Bell}}
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="6" align="center" |<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2001-02-15 |title=Awards flow for Billy Elliot |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1172629.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103103036/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1172629.stm |archive-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |British Producer of the Year
|{{sort|Brenman|Greg Brenman}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|{{sort|Finn|Jon Finn}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|British Director of the Year
|{{sort|Daldry|Stephen Daldry}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[London Film Critics' Circle Award for British or Irish Film of the Year|British Film of the Year]]
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year|British Actress of the Year]]
|{{sort|Walters|Julie Walters}}
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[Motovun Film Festival]]
|Propeller Award
|''Billy Elliot''
|{{Won}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://motovunfilmfestival.com/en/motovun-film-festival-has-a-new-cinema-cinema-billy/|title=Motovun Film Festival has a new cinema – Cinema Billy!|date=2019-02-21|website=Motovun Film Festival|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103111053/https://motovunfilmfestival.com/en/motovun-film-festival-has-a-new-cinema-cinema-billy/|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==Stage musical==
{{main|Billy Elliot the Musical{{!}}''Billy Elliot the Musical''}}
After the film's release, English singer-songwriter [[Elton John]] collaborated with the film's screenwriter Lee Hall to produce a musical adaptation of the film, which premiered 31 March 2005 at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre]] on the [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/a-bluecollar-tale-mines-rich-musical-seam-20100404-rlig.html|title=A blue-collar tale mines rich musical seam|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=2010-04-04|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102205048/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/a-bluecollar-tale-mines-rich-musical-seam-20100404-rlig.html|archive-date=2 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the film's crew took part in the stage production, including director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling. The musical received positive reviews and ran for over 4,000 performances before closing in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/billy-elliot-victoria-palace-theatre-2005|title=Billy Elliot – Victoria Palace Theatre 2005|newspaper=London Theatre Guide|access-date=18 December 2016|date=11 May 2005|last=Brown|first=Peter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101130136/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/billy-elliot-victoria-palace-theatre-2005|archive-date=1 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/35069692?client=safari|title=Billy Elliot musical dances out of West End|website=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=11 December 2015|access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Billy Elliot lorry London.JPG|thumbnail|Advertisement for the ''Billy Elliot'' musical on a lorry in London|220x220px]]

The musical ran on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] from November 2008 to January 2012, and won ten Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/billy-elliot-the-musical-475107 |title=Billy Elliot: The Musical – Broadway Musical |website=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Kes (film)|Kes]]''
* ''[[Brassed Off]]''
* ''[[The Stars Look Down]]''
* ''[[Yeh Ballet]]''
* ''[[Hula Girls]]''
* ''[[The Full Monty]]''
* ''[[Pride (2014 film)|Pride]]''
* ''[[Homer vs. Patty and Selma]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal|last=Jones |first=Jacqueline |title=Small Towns and Big Dreams: Meditations on Two Mining-Town Movies |journal=[[Perspectives on History]] |date=February 1, 2011 |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=30–31 |url=https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/february-2011/small-towns-and-big-dreams |access-date=April 8, 2023}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0249462}}
* {{mojo title|billyelliot}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|billy_elliot}}
* {{Metacritic film}}

{{The Stars Look Down}}
{{Stephen Daldry}}
{{Lee Hall}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Billy Elliot''
|list =
{{BAFTA Best British Film}}
{{BIFA BestBritishFilm}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release}}
{{Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film}}
{{London Film Critics Circle Award for British Film of the Year}}
{{Empire Award for Best British Film}}
{{Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Foreign Film}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Billy Elliot}}
[[Category:2000 films]]
[[Category:2000 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2000s coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2000s dance films]]
[[Category:2000 independent films]]
[[Category:British LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:BAFTA winners (films)]]
[[Category:BBC Film films]]
[[Category:Best British Film BAFTA Award winners]]
[[Category:British coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:British dance films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000 LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:Films about ballet]]
[[Category:Films about the labor movement]]
[[Category:Films adapted into plays]]
[[Category:Films directed by Stephen Daldry]]
[[Category:Films scored by Stephen Warbeck]]
[[Category:Films set in 1984]]
[[Category:Films set in 1985]]
[[Category:Films set in 1999]]
[[Category:Films set in County Durham]]
[[Category:Films shot in England]]
[[Category:Films shot in Northumberland]]
[[Category:Films shot in Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Films shot in North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Films shot in Middlesbrough]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Lee Hall (playwright)]]
[[Category:Films set in mining communities]]
[[Category:StudioCanal films]]
[[Category:UK miners' strike (1984–1985)]]
[[Category:Working Title Films films]]
[[Category:Films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films about grandparent–grandchild relationships]]
[[Category:2000s British films]]
[[Category:English-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]