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Chris Eberle
Billy Elliot is a young boy growing up in a mining town in the North of England. When the miners go on strike a dark cloud settles over the community. Billy goes to boxing practice every week but once he discovers the dance class that takes place afterwards he’s hooked. Instructor Mrs. Wilkinson sees he has real talent and encourages him to audition for the Royal Ballet School. Billy’s father and older brother are initially resistant to the idea but are eventually won over. He goes to the audition in hopes it will change his life and his fortunes forever.
2014, Color, Not rated, 2 Hrs 50 mins
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.20:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Elliott Hanna, Ruthie Henshall, Deka Walmsley
Directed by Brett Sullivan & Stephen Daldry
Rating
Violence: No
Sex: No
Language: Yes
First off it should be made clear that this Blu-ray release is not the original movie from 2000 but an actual live performance from London’s West End filmed in 2014. Unlike most musical films that are adapted from a stage show, Billy Elliot has done it in reverse. The original film was a dance musical and in 2005 modified for the stage. The music is all written by Elton John while the lyrics come from Lee Hall who conceived and wrote the original screenplay.
I’m not usually a fan of theater productions shot on film. The cameras are static and you never really get the sense of being there. This movie on the other hand is done incredibly well. Multiple cameras are used along with closeups and fades to really give the viewer a better-than-front-row seat.
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I’ve seen many Broadway shows but alas I have never traveled to London to see a West End musical. It’s quite a different vibe from what I experienced in New York City. The sets are simple and everything focuses on the characters. Lighting is basic without much use of special effects or illusion. The story is a dark one and there are lots of intense moments and a surprising amount of profanity. The subject matter is at an adult level despite the main character being 10 years old.
Speaking of Billy, the performer who plays him, Elliott Hanna, is sensational. His talent is enormous and he easily overshadows everyone else on the stage. Kudos to Ruthie Henshaw as Mrs. Wilkinson and Zach Atkinson as Michael who manages to steal every scene he’s in. The production is first-rate all the way and beautifully presented here.
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Video quality is pretty much determined by the stage lighting and that is done evenly without any harsh contrast or unwanted shadows. The color palette is fairly cool but costumes and sets pop out with solid detail and a natural saturation. I saw a bit of edge enhancement at times but that was the only real flaw.
The DTS-HD Master Audio encode is rich and detailed though it’s presented at a fairly high volume level. If you turn the dial too far voices can sound a little sibilant. At a reasonable setting however everything comes into focus. There isn’t much going on in the sub or surrounds but the front soundstage is very wide with lots of depth and terrific dynamic range. It probably sounds better than if you were actually in the theater.
I would have loved more in-depth information about this musical but all you get is a brief behind-the-curtain tour with Elliott Hanna and a few interviews with the creators of the original film and stage production.