The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
By Sierra Filucci,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Drag queens drive funny, tender, but mature musical.

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Based on 5 parent reviews
Priscilla- what a gem
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Why did you guys rate it R???
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What's the Story?
When drag queen Tick (Hugo Weaving) gets a call to perform in a small town, he collects two friends -- another drag queen (Guy Pearce) and a transsexual named Bernadette (Terence Stamp) -- to go along for the ride. They cross the Outback of Australia in a beat-up RV. Their outrageous clothing and behavior attracts plenty of attention -- both good and bad -- and they end up making a few friends and enemies along the way. When the RV breaks down, they meet a mechanic named Bob (Bill Hunter), who ends up riding along with them and getting close to Bernadette. Along the way, the friends learn that Tick plans to meet his secret wife at the destination, and after the arrival, everyone's in for a big surprise.
Is It Any Good?
This tender, sympathetic film includes some incredible acting, quirky characters, and gorgeous costumes (for which it won an Oscar). Terence Stamp portrays the transsexual Bernadette with strength and humanity, creating a film that goes deeper than the crinoline, makeup, and colorful musical numbers. Stamp and his costars ultimately tell a tale of acceptance -- of difference, of others, and of oneself. Some of the dialogue is particularly snippy and mean in a rather clichéd interpretation of gay male discourse, but the strengths of the film outweigh its weaknesses.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the main character's feelings about himself. Why do you think he was so anxious about going to Alice Springs? How did he change after he arrived? What lessons did others teach him about himself?
Talk about the trio's relationships with each other. Why do you think they were so mean to each other? How did that change over time?
Do you think this portrayal of homosexuals is positive or negative? Does it promote understanding or stereotypes (or both)?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 10, 1994
- On DVD or streaming: March 28, 2000
- Cast: Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving, Terence Stamp
- Director: Stephan Elliott
- Studio: MGM/UA
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sex-related situations and language
- Last updated: April 2, 2023
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