I was dancing when I was 12
I was dancing when I was out
I danced myself right out the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself right out the womb
I was dancing when I was eight
Is it strange to dance so late
How
How-ow-ow
I dance dmyself into the tomb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it wrong to understand
The fearthat dwells inside a man
What's it like to be a loon
Ah, no !
I liken it to a balloon
How
How-ow-ow
I dance dmyself out of the womb
Grandma.
Your eggs.
It's Billy. I danced myself into the tomb
Come on.
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
Fuck !
You been playin' my records, you little twat ! I never played naught.
Ow ! Knobhead !
If Dad knew you smoked that stuff, he'd go mental. Fuck off, will ya ?
Twat.
I danced myself out ofthe womb
Here we go, Dad ! Come on, man.
Dad !
Hurry up, Dad. We'll be late.
The whole friggin' world's gonna be on that picket line this mornin'.
Oi ! You tidy our room. Dad !
There's not much of this coal left.
It's fine. We'll be digging it up again next month.
Don't kid yourself.
I'm not waitin' for youse.
Tony. Tony !
See you down the picket line, Dad.
Leave it, Billy.
Mam would've let us.
Your 50 pence is on the fridge.
Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab !
Are you sure you're not going to come ?
Am I fuck. It's a load of bollocks.
No, it's not. It's a load of shite, kickin' people in.
Anyway, l don't know why you bother.
- I'm good at it. - Are you shite ? Them gloves-- They went out with the ark.
- They're me dad's, these. - Exactly.
Right, lads. Listen up here.
Hold it ! Oi, oi ! Here !
Now, because they're using downstairs...
asa soup kitchen for the strikin' miners,
I'm going to let Mrs. Wilkinson...
use the bottom end of the boxin' hall for her ballet lessons.
So no hanky-panky. Understood ?
Yes. Elliot, you're late.
Get changed and get in here.
Allright then, lads.
Give it all you got ! Round one.
Well, don't just stand there, Elliot !
Oh, no ! Not again !
This is man-to-man-combat, not a bloody tea dance.
What're you doin', man ? Hit him !
Greavesy, he's pissin' about. Get stuckin and give him a belt.
- He's like a fanny in a fit. - Billy, hit him !
Jesus Christ, Billy Elliot !
You're a disgrace to them gloves, your father...
and the traditions of this boxin' hall.
You owe us 50 pence.
Ho ! Liberace, will you give it a rest ?
Billy, punch bag.
You're not goin' until you do it properly.
Give these to Mrs. Wilkinson and her dance class when you've finished.
I'll see you next week. Okay, girls.
Left hand on the barre.
Thank you, Mr. Braithwaite. And--
Pretty arms.
Bottoms in.
Where are you lookin', Susan ?
Lift. Feel the music. Feelit.
In time, Debbie, please.
And one, and two, and three,
and four, and five,
six, seven, eight.
And one, and two, and three,
and four, five--
Andhold.
Hold it.
Support your selves ! Don't look at me. Lookahead!
Where's your confidence ? Come on.
And down.
Lovely.
Oh, God.
And, Debbie, eyes front.
And five, and six, and seven, and stop.
For God's sake. Thank you, Mr. Braithwaite.
Right into the center, girls, please.
Miss ? Miss, the keys.
Not now.
Right, Mr. Braithwaite. "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow."
Fat chance. Ready, and--
Port de bras forward.
And up.
Port de bras forward.
And up.
Why don't you join in ? Port de bras forward.
And up.
Port de bras forward.
And up, and hold.
And three, and four.
And, Debbie, straight leg.
Seven and eight.
And one, and two, and three, and four, and five.
Boots off. Seven and eight.
What size are you ? Miss, what about the keys ?
Into the center.
Go on. Idareya.
Prepare.
And one, and two, and three,
and four, and five, and six, and--
And eight, and hold.
Hold it.
Ooh, what have we got here, then ?
Heel out. Drop your hip.
Nice... straight leg.
Good arch.
Turn that leg out.
Right. Class dismissed.
Home time. Debbie, get the 50P's.
You owe me 50 pence. No, I don't !
- You do. Why don't you bring it along next week ? - Can't. I'm goin' to boxin'.
- But you're crap at boxin'. - No, I'm not !
Shut up.
Thought you enjoyed it.
Please yourself, darlin'.
I'm stepping out, my dear
To breathe an atmosphere that simply wreaks with class
And l trust that you'll excuse my dust
When l step on the gas
For l'll be there putting down my top hat
Mussing up my white tie
Dancing in my tails
He was your mam's favorite, was Fred Astaire.
We used to watch him at the Palace Picture House...
and then dance round the front room like lunatics.
Marvelous !
Mind, they used to say...
I could've been a professional.
Come on, Grandma. Not now. Ooh !
Grandma !
It's this one here !
Grandma ! It's over here !
Tony, do you ever think about death ?
Fuck off !
Night-night, then.
Plenty of boys do ballet, you know.
Do they now ? What boys do ballet ?
Nobody around here, but plenty of men do.
Poofs. Not necessarily poofs.
Who, like ? What about Wayne Sleep ? He's not a poof.
He's as fit as an athlete. Bet he couldn't beat Daley Thompson.
Maybe not in a race, but in stamina.
Why don't you come tomorrow ? You can just watch. I can't.
Gotta go to boxin', haven't I ?
Please yourself, then.
See you around.
Aye. See ya. Ta-ra.
Right, lads. Looksharp.
Everybody, out !
Turn, turn andstop.
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Armsare in fifth.
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Turn, turn andstop.
One, two, three. One, two, three. Where are those arms ?
I don't know what to do. Follow the orders.
Shut up, Debbie ! One, two, three. One, two, three.
Nice pretty arms. And stop.
See ? I told you it takes loads of practice.
Debbie. What, Mam ?
What do you call me ? Miss.
Shove off.
So, do we get the pleasure of your company next week ?
It's just-- I feel like a right sissy.
Well, don't act like one. Fifty "P," please.
If you're not comin' again, give us your shoes.
Nah. You're all right.
Right.
What're you doin', goin' round here like creeping Jesus ? Naught.
We found your nana in the Spar stores. Where have you been ?
Boxin'. Where do you think ?
What're you doin' ? I forgot me gloves.
They were my dad's gloves.
You better take better care of them, okay ?
Well, you're dirty and sweet Clad in black
Don't look back And l love you Copy that diagram.
We only have five minutes left. You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Ow !
Get it on Bang agong
Get it on
Bang agong
Get it on
Well, you're built like a car Hurry. This way.
You got a hubcap diamond star halo
You're built like a car, oh yeah You go to ballet every week ?
Yeah, but don't say aught. Why do you take lessons ?
Why do you think ? To get better, you diwy.
Do you get to wear a tutu ? Fuck off !
They're only meant for lasses.
I wear me shorts.
You won't ask for a tutu ? What for ?
To dance in. I'd look a right dickhead.
I think you'd look wicked.
Get it on Bang agong
Get it on Come on.
Well, you're windy and wild
You got the blues in your shoes and your stockings
You're windy and wild Ohyeah
Well, you're built like a car
You got a hubcap diamond star halo
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl
Get it on Bang agong
Get it on
ldon't know why you're lookin' at that.
You can't take that out on a junior ticket.
Come on !
Get it on
Bang agong Get it on
Bang agong
Get it on See you, then.
Take me
Okay, Billy Elliot, into the center.
I want you to watch carefully, girls.
First, arabesque.
Drop your shoulders.
Look forward, beyond your finger tips.
There !
Spin it, Mr. Braithwaite. Spin it !
Come on. Spin it ! Now, focus !
Look at yourselves ! Look in the mirror !
Ahh !
Christ Almighty, what was that ?
Oi! What's goin' on ? Uh, nothin'.
Prepare, one and two.
Strong position. Weight on both legs.
And... pirouette.
- And down.
Up you get.
Find a place on that bloody wall...
and focus on that spot.
Then whip your head round and come back to that spot. Prepare.
One, andtwo, and-- Fuck it.
Have you got the spot ?
Prepare !
- Prepare. Prepare.
Go !
Go ! Go !
Go ! Go, Billy!
What have ltoldyou about that arm ?
Right. Back to the barre.
You look like a right wanker to me, son.
Listen,Jackie.
It was just 50 pence a session, you know.
I can do without it. I do not do it for the money.
What are you talkin' about ? The boxin', man.
I haven't seen hide nor hair of your Billy for months.
I was gonna say something, but I thought it might be embarrassin'.
First I knew about it. He's never got his gloves off.
Send him round to my house, and I'll sharp knock some sense into him.
Scab ! Scab !
Step open and balance.
Balance, balance.
Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab ! Scab !
Right. Let's do it again.
Open... and lift your chest. Let's do it again.
Thank you, Mr. Braithwaite.
Step open. Open your arms. Do it.
Pay attention.
Arms. Like this. All right ?
Thank you, Mr. Braithwaite. Step really open !
Powerful! Proud!
You're not concentratin'. Yes, I am concentratin'.
You're not even tryin'.
- Can we have a go of it, Miss ? - Let's do it again.
Have you noticed anything weird about our Billy lately ?
What, are you after like a list ?
Aye, aye.
Got enough food there, scab ?
What're you doin' ? Eh ?
Scabs eat well, eh ? You're me best mate.
First rule ofa union, Gary. You never cross a picket line.
Fucking hell.
We're all fucked if you forget that !
We're fucked anyway!
ln a speech to Tory M.P.'s yesterday,
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher...
referred to members of the striking National Union of Mine Workers...
as "the enemy within. "
The speech comes following several months of violent clashes...
between police officers and striking miners--
See you, then. Wait ! Y- Your breakfast--
What the hell's he up to ?
One, two, three. Pas de bourree.
And a one, two, three. And a turn.
And a one, two, three. Pas de bourree.
And a one, two, three.
Pas de bourree.
You, out! Now!
I beg your pardon ?
Please, Miss,
don't.
All right, which way are we facing ?
Come on.
And a one, two, three. Pas de bourree.
- Ballet. - What's wrong with ballet ?
- "What's wrong with ballet" ? - It's perfectly normal.
Perfectly normal?
I used to go to ballet.
See ?
Aye, for your nana.
For girls. Not for lads, Billy.
Lads do football or...
boxin' or...
wrestlin' !
Not friggin' ballet!
What lads do wrestlin' ?
Don't start, Billy.
I don't see what's wrong with it.
You know perfectly well what's wrong with it. No, I don't.
Yes, you do. No, I don't !
Yes, you bloody well do !
Who do you think l am ?
You know quite nicely !
What ?
What are you tryin' to say, Dad?
You're askin' for a hidin', son.
No, I'm not. Honest.
You are, Billy. Billy! It's not just poofs, Dad.
Some ballet dancers are as fit as athletes.
What about that Wayne Sleep ? He was a ballet dancer.
- Wayne Sleep ? - Aye.
Listen, son,
from now on you can forget about the fucking ballet.
You can forget about the fuckin' boxin' as well.
I'm bustin' my ass for those 50 pences, and you're-- No !
From now on you stay here and look after your nana. Got that ?
Good.
They used to say I could have been a professional dancer...
if l'd had the training. Will you shut up ?
I hate you !
You're a bastard !
Get off !
Billy ! Billy !
Billy!
But you won't fool
The children of the revolution
No, you won't fool
The children of the revolution No, no, no
Yeah
Aah !
You won't fool the children ofthe revolution
No, you won't fool
The children of the revolution
No, you won't fool
The children of the revolution
No, you won't fool
The children of the revolution
No way
Oh, hello.
My dad'll kill me if he knows I'm here.
He stopped you comin' to classes.
It's not his fault, Miss.
- That's all right with you, is it ? - I suppose so.
- You should stand up to him. - You don't know what he's like.
Well, that blows it.
Blows what, Miss ?
Debbie ?
I've heard a lot about you.
Durham's little Gene Kelly, eh ?
Your dad work down the pit, then ? Yeah.
Must be hard for the family being out on strike.
He is out on strike, isn't he ? 'Course.
I shouldn't worry. It won't last long.
Tom, don't. If they had a ballot, they'd be back tomorrow.
It's just a few bloody commies stirrin' things up.
Let's face it. They haven't got a leg to stand on.
Who doesn't ?
The miners. It stands to reason, doesn't it ?
Some pits are just uneconomical.
If it costs more money topay everybody...
to dig the coalout than you get for the coal when you sell it,
what does that tell ya ? Don't know.
You wanna think about that, don't you, son ? Tom.
If it was up to me, I'd shut the lot of'em down tomorrow. For God's sake.
What do you do, Mr. Wilkinson ?
He's been made redundant.
I thought he was gonna hit me or somethin'. Don't besilly.
He's just under a lot of pressure. That's what mam says.
I think it's because he drinks too much. Does he drink too much ?
He's always pissed. Once he pissed himself. Your dad ?
Because he's unhappy, because they sleep in separate beds.
Why do they sleep in separate beds ? So they can't have sex.
Do they not have sex ? Dad did it with this woman from work,
but they don't think I know.
Do you miss your mam, then ?
Don't really miss her as such.
It's more like just feelin' sad.
Especially when I remember her all of a sudden.
When I forgot that she was dead and that.
What about your mam ? Does she not have sex ?
No, she's unfulfilled. That's why she does dancin'.
She does dancin' instead of sex ?
Your family's weird. No, they're not.
They are, though. They're mental.
Ow ! Get off !
Wow
See ? You're a nutter, you.
Debbie ! It's time for Billy to go home!
Come on, Billy. I'll drop you off at the corner. I'll see ya, Debbie.
Okay, then.
Miss, what have I blown ?
This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now...
I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School.
Aren't you a bit old, Miss ?
Ooh, not me. You !
I'm the bloody teacher !
They hold auditions in Newcastle.
I'd never be good enough. I hardly know aught.
They're not interested in how much ballet you know.
They'll teach you that. That's why they're a ballet school.
It's how you move and how you express yourself that's important.
Express what ?
I think you're good enough to go for it.
It would mean an awful lot of hard work.
But I'm banned.
Then maybe I should have a word with him. No, Miss !
I could teach you on your own, if you want. We couldn't afford it.
I'm not doin' it for the money, Billy.
But what about Dad ? He doesn't need to know.
What about me boxin' ? Oh, for fuck's sake, Billy !
Ifyou want to piss about with your little mates, that's fine with me.
All right, don't lose your blob.
"Blob" ?
So we could do it private-like ?
Just you and me.
Miss, you don't fancy me, do you ?
No, Billy, funnily enough, I don't. Now, piss off.
Piss off, yourself.
See you Monday, then.
- Are you comin' in or what ? - What are you doin' ?
Nothin'. Just dressin' up.
Whose dress is that ? Come on.
Whose dress is that ? It's me sister's.
Did she give you it ? She doesn't know.
Do you wanna try ? You can have one of me mam's.
Nah. You're all right.
What're you doin' that for? I'm just tryin' it on.
Christ.
Come here.
Stay still.
There. Won't we get in trouble ?
Don't be stupid. Me dad does it all the time.
He dresses up in your mam's clothes ?
Only when he thinks everybody's out.
Have you got a tutu yet ?
Do you think being a ballet dancer...
would be better than being a miner ? ldon't know.
It's just, I've got this audition in Newcastle in a couple ofweeks.
What for ? For to go to ballet school.
- Ballet school ? ls that in Newcastle ? - London.
You'd have to move, with your Tony and everybody ?
No. By meself. That's a bit steep.
- Can't you be a ballet dancer here ? - Don't be stupid !
So, when you goin' there, then ?
I don't know. I haven't even got in yet.
What does your dad say ?
He doesn't know. Fuckin' hell!
- Are you not going to tell him ? - Not yet, anyway.
He might be pleased about it. He could rent your room out.
He couldn't. What about our Tony ?
What do you reckon ?
I think you shouldn't bother. Why not ?
I'd miss you.
Fuckin' hell.
Brought your things ?
I don't know if they're right, Miss.
If they're special to you, they're right.
What are they for ?
To give us some ideas for a dance.
Come on, then. Let's see' em.
What's that ?
It's a letter. I can see it's a letter.
It's me mam's.
She wrote it for when I was 18, but l opened it.
Here.
"To my son Billy.
"DearBilly.
"l know l must seem like a distant memory to you,
"which is probably a good thing.
"lt will have been a long time,
"and I will have missed seeing you grow.
"Missed you crying, laughing, "Laughing...
and shouting." and shouting."
"l will have missed telling you off.
"But please know I was always there...
"...with you through everything."
"with you through everything,
"and I always will be.
"And I am proud to have known you,
"and I am proud that you were mine.
"Always be yourself.
I love you forever."
"Mam."
She must've been a very special woman, your mother.
No, she was just me mam.
I brought tape and all.
What is it ?
"l Love to Boogie."
It's one of our Tony's.
We love to boogie
Jitterbug boogie
Bolan pretty boogie
We love to boogie on a Saturday night
Belinda Mae Fender's got a Cadillac bone Spin it ! Go on !
Jenny lost her cherry walkin' all the way home
The passion of the earth blasted its mind
Now it's neat sweet ready for the moon based grind
We love to boogie We love to boogie on a Saturday night
I said we love to boogie
We love to boogie And tap. Go !
High school boogie
Jitterbug boogie
We love to boogie on a Saturday night
Ohyeah
Whoo-whee !
Yee-haw !
You rattlesnake out with your tailfeathers high
Jitterbug left and smile to the sky
With your black velvet cape and your stove pipe hat
Bebop baby The dance is where it's at
I love to boogie
Yes, l love to boogie on a Saturday night
I said l love to boogie
I love to boogie
Jitterbug boogie l love to boogie
Grandma, tea time.
Where are you goin' ?
Go back to sleep.
It's 4:00.
You weren't thinkin' of taking it with you ?
You just wanna stand around getting the shit kicked out you,
that's your funeral.
But some of us are ready to fight back for once. They're already after you.
- You're no good to us in jail. - I don't plan on getting caught.
- What's going on ? - You, get back to bed !
- Both of you! - Fuck you.
Put it down.
You gonna stop me ? I'm warnin' you.
You haven't got it in you. You're finished!
Since mam died, you're nothing but a useless twat! What the fuck you gonna do about it ?
Stop it !
What the fuck are you lookin' at ?
You haven't been practicin'.
Prepare. One, two. And one, and two--
Get up.
Miss, I can't do it.
That's because you're not concentratin'.
I am concentratin'.
- You're not even tryin' ! - I am, Miss !
- Do it again. - Can't.
You do it again.
No !
Shit !
I'm sorry. It's allright for you.
It's not you who has to do it ! I know.
You don't know anything ! What do you know in your posh house...
with your husband that pisses his self?
You're the same as everybody else. All you want is to tell me what to do !
Now wait a minute! Look, I don't wanna do your stupid, fucking audition !
- You only want me to do it for your own benefit ! - Look, Billy--
Because you're a failure ! Don't you dare talk to me like that!
You don't even have a proper dancing school !
You're stuck in some crummy boxing hall.
Don't pick on me 'cause you fucked up your own life !
Can I put a tape on, Miss ?
All right, if you must.
It's cush, isn't it ?
So, is there a story, then, Miss ?
Of course.
It's about a woman who's captured by an evil magician.
Sounds crap.
And this woman-- this beautiful woman...
is forced to be a swan.
Except for a few hours every night...
when she becomes alive.
She becomes real again.
And then one night...
she meets this young prince,
and he falls in love with her.
And she realizes...
this is the one thing that will allow her...
to become a real woman once more.
So then what happens ?
He promises to marry her and then goes off with someone else, of course.
- So she has to be a swan for good ? - She dies.
Because the prince didn't love her ?
Come on. It's time to go.
It's only a ghost story.
Come on !
No ! No, no.
It's me.
It's Billy.
Oh, little one.
Oi, little one.
What have I told you about drinkin' out of the bottle ?
Sorry, Mam.
Well, put it back.
One.
Lift and reach.
Down, and one.
Breathe and stretch.
Stretch, and one.
Lift and stretch.
Back, and one.
Lift, and lengthen that foot.
And it's one.
Extend.
Reach out.
Lift and breathe.
And one.
Lift out...
and close.
And one.
Lift.
When's the audition, then ?
Tomorrow mornin'.
I'll miss you if you go away.
Who do you think's better ? Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers ?
Billy, do you not fancy us, like ?
Don't know. Never really thought about it.
If you want, I'll show you me fanny.
No. You're all right.
Oh oh oh oh
Now get this
London calling to the faraway towns Get inside !
Now war is declared and battle come down The union leader ! Get him !
London calling to the underworld Get down !
Come out of the cupboard you boys and girls
London calling Nowdon't look to us
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling See we ain't got no swing
Except for the ring of the truncheon thing
The lce Age is comin' The sun'sz ooming in Thanks, pet.
Meltdown expected The wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running but l have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and l live by the river
London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother You could go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death Shit !
Quit holding out and draw another breath
London calling andldon't wanna shout
But while we were talking l saw you nodding out
London calling See, we ain't got no highs
Here they come! London calling See, we ain't got no swing
Except for the ring of the truncheon thing
Except for that one with the yellowy eyes
The lce Age is comin' The sun's zooming in
Engines stop running The wheat isgrowing thin
A nuclear error But l have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and l Tony !
I live by the river
Tony, go back !
I never felt so much a'like, a'like
Go on. Get in there ! Off you go, mate !