Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Stephan Elliott

Stephan Elliott (born 27 August 1964) is an Australian film director and screenwriter. His most recognized work is the 1994 road movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which depicts three performers traveling across the Australian outback in a bus named Priscilla, earning critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations for its screenplay, costume design, and original song. Elliott began his career in the film industry at age 17 after producing numerous wedding videos during his teenage years, later directing his feature debut Frauds in , a starring and that premiered at . Subsequent projects include the 1999 thriller Eye of the Beholder, the 2008 adaptation Easy Virtue starring and , and the 2012 A Few Best Men.

Early life and education

Childhood in Sydney

Stephan Elliott was born on 27 August 1964 in , , , and spent his early years in the northern beaches suburb of . His upbringing occurred amid the social transitions of the and , a period when 's suburban communities experienced increasing freedoms following the cultural upheavals of the era, which concluded with the withdrawal of Australian forces in 1972 and fostered broader shifts toward relaxed social norms. Elliott grew up in a with his mother, , and sister, , in a cul-de-sac setting on Harold Place that epitomized the unsupervised, adventurous childhoods common before widespread implementation of safety measures like compulsory seatbelts in 1971 or advocacy. dynamics emphasized resilience, as evidenced by his father's response to a childhood injury, urging him to toughen up rather than seek immediate comfort. This environment of minimal oversight allowed for extended periods of unstructured play, often lasting entire weekends, exposing young Elliott to the raw, unfiltered aspects of suburban life including risky behaviors and emerging consumer influences like the introduction of Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets. During his pre-adolescent and early adolescent years, Elliott developed an initial fascination with visual storytelling through a camera, using it to document and interpret his surroundings, culminating in his first short , The Ghoul, produced at age 12. This hands-on experimentation reflected the era's accessible amateur filmmaking tools and the ' proximity to cinemas like United Cinemas Collaroy, where he spent considerable time absorbing diverse narratives. The suburban cultural landscape, blending conservative family structures with undercurrents of the —manifesting in phenomena like key-swapping parties and disco culture—provided observational fodder for understanding performative elements of identity, though Elliott's direct engagements remained rooted in personal creativity rather than institutional arts.

Entry into filmmaking

Elliott entered the Australian film industry in the early 1980s as an and editor, roles that provided hands-on experience in production logistics and techniques during a period of government-supported expansion. The 10BA tax concession scheme, introduced in , incentivized private investment in local films, leading to a surge in output from around 10 features annually in the late 1970s to over 50 by the mid-1980s, which created entry points for young crew members despite inconsistent project quality and financial volatility. Through these positions, Elliott developed proficiency in coordinating shoots and footage, skills essential for transitioning to directing, amid an characterized by rapid growth but reliant on subsidies that sometimes prioritized volume over . Lacking formal institutional training, his early immersion emphasized practical problem-solving on diverse sets, from low-budget independents to commercially backed efforts, fostering an intuitive grasp of narrative pacing and visual storytelling that would inform his later comedic sensibilities.

Professional career

Early independent works

Elliott's debut feature, Frauds (1993), was a low-budget centered on an insurance investigator, portrayed by in his sole screen acting role, who uncovers a fraudulent claim by a couple played by and Josephine Byrnes, leading to a escalating game of scams and harassment. The film, written and directed by Elliott, was produced by Andrena Finlay and Stuart Quin amid production challenges, including the liquidation of initial financiers, yet completed with backing from Rebel Penfold-Russell's company. Shot in , it showcased Elliott's penchant for eccentric characters and absurd situations, blending suspense with humor in a manner that foreshadowed his later camp-infused style without achieving broad theatrical release. Screened in competition at the , Frauds garnered attention for its bold directorial debut but failed to secure significant commercial distribution or returns in or internationally, limiting its reach to festival circuits and limited video release. This independent effort, budgeted modestly under typical feature standards of the era, helped Elliott cultivate a reputation among producers and festival programmers for inventive, genre-bending narratives, though it remained a niche work without mainstream breakthroughs. No prior feature-length projects are documented in Elliott's pre-1993 output, positioning Frauds as the foundational piece in his independent oeuvre.

Breakthrough with Priscilla

Elliott conceived the idea for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert during a walk along Sydney's gay district shortly after the annual parade, drawing from observations of drag performers embarking on tours. He delayed writing the full script until he felt personally mature enough to handle its themes, completing it in the early 1990s before securing financing. With a modest budget of AU$3.6 million, commenced in 1993, spanning six weeks primarily on location in the Australian , including sites in (New South Wales), Coober Pedy (), Kings Canyon, and (). For the lead roles, Elliott cast British actor as the transgender Bernadette, a role that revitalized Stamp's career after a period of professional challenges; theater veterans as drag performer Tick (Mitzi) and as the flamboyant Felicia (Adam). The production emphasized authentic drag elements, with costumes sourced affordably to capture the performers' vibrant, makeshift aesthetic during the journey. Released in on October 31, 1994, the film grossed AU$16.5 million domestically, ranking among the top-grossing Australian productions of its era and outperforming many contemporaries at the local . Internationally, it earned $11 million in alone and expanded to markets in and Asia, marking Elliott's transition from niche independent features like Frauds () to global recognition and establishing him as a key figure in Australian cinema. This commercial success, achieved on a low budget relative to its returns, pivoted Elliott's career toward higher-profile opportunities abroad.

International ventures and setbacks

Following the international acclaim of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Elliott pursued opportunities in , directing Eye of the Beholder (1999), a adaptation of Marc Behm's novel starring as a surveillance operative obsessed with a played by . The film, produced by and distributed by , marked Elliott's major studio project but failed critically, earning a 9% approval rating from critics on based on 88 reviews, who criticized its convoluted plot and lack of tension. Commercially, it underperformed, grossing approximately $17 million against a reported budget exceeding $20 million, contributing to Elliott's difficulties securing subsequent U.S. projects amid industry skepticism toward his shift from camp comedy to genre thriller. Disillusioned after the film's reception and swearing off directing temporarily, Elliott turned to for respite, only to suffer a severe in the in 2004 that broke his back, legs, and pelvis, requiring months of hospitalization and nearly three years of recovery. He later described the incident as a pivotal low point exacerbated by post-Priscilla pressures and rejection, which left him physically debilitated and emotionally isolated, though it ultimately prompted a rediscovery of his comedic sensibilities. Elliott's next international effort, Easy Virtue (2008), an adaptation of Noël Coward's play produced in the UK with a multinational cast including , , , and , attempted a return via period depicting class clashes in . The film achieved modest returns of about $20 million worldwide on a $10 million budget but elicited mixed reviews, with a 52% score from 125 critics praising its visual flair and performances while faulting uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies. This project, co-written by Elliott and Sheridan Jobbins, represented a partial setback in sustaining momentum, as it failed to replicate Priscilla's breakout appeal abroad.

Return to Australian projects

Following 17 years abroad, Stephan Elliott returned to and resumed directing domestic projects in the , marking a mid-career pivot toward local comedies centered on suburban and class dynamics. His first such effort, (2011), is a written by depicting a backpacker groom whose to his fiancée descends into chaos in the amid her eccentric, wealthy family and his rowdy . The film, starring and , satirizes cultural clashes and the absurdities of affluent rural traditions, grossing over A$5 million at the domestic despite mixed reviews averaging 5.7/10 on . Elliott's subsequent feature, Swinging Safari (2018), drew from his own adolescence in suburbs, portraying a teenager's coming-of-age amid key-swapping parents and a beached spectacle in a coastal community. Co-starring , , and , the raunchy ensemble comedy lampoons suburban hedonism, class pretensions, and unchecked adult freedoms through bawdy humor and nostalgic excess, earning a 73% approval on from critics who praised its irreverent take on cultural quirks. With a screenplay and direction by Elliott, it emphasized chaotic family interactions and generational tensions, reflecting his intent to recapture the unfiltered energy of his early hits like Priscilla on .

Recent and upcoming works

In April , Stephan Elliott confirmed the development of , Queen of the Desert 2, a to his 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, with himself returning as , , and . The project reunites the original leads— as Tick/Mitzi, as Marion/Ralph, and as Bernadette—with production plans including a search for financing partners. Elliott stated the script was completed, emphasizing continuity with the road-trip comedy format while noting delays from pre-COVID discussions. By September 2025, Elliott disclosed that had pre-filmed all his scenes as Bernadette in the months prior to the actor's death on August 17, 2025, at age 87, ensuring his final on-screen performance in the role. Elliott described Stamp's enthusiasm during filming, rejecting digital alternatives to preserve authenticity. No release date has been set, with for remaining cast pending as of October 2025. Elliott's recent contributions also include co-writing the stage musical adaptation of , originally premiered in 2006, which has sustained international productions and tours into the 2020s, though his direct involvement has focused on the film's legacy rather than new stage iterations. In October 2024, he participated in anniversary reflections on the original film, highlighting its enduring appeal amid evolving cultural contexts.

Artistic themes and style

Recurring elements in films

Elliott's films consistently depict protagonists as societal outsiders who employ humor to endure marginalization and adversity. In The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), performers and a character traverse the outback, using performative identity and aesthetics to challenge rigid social norms. This motif of fluid in Priscilla contrasts with later heterosexual satires, such as Easy Virtue (2008), where a bold divorcee disrupts a stuffy family estate, highlighting cultural and personal nonconformity through satirical . Similarly, (2000) centers on a Greek-Australian layabout as an ethnic outsider clashing with bureaucratic and mainstream Australian society, relying on to assert resilience. Isolated or transitional settings recur as backdrops for introspection and , amplifying themes of . The vast in Priscilla serves as a metaphorical of self-revelation amid hostility, paralleling the entrapment in the remote, absurd town of Welcome to Woop Woop (1997), where an urban fugitive confronts eccentric rural isolation. These environments underscore outsiders' adaptability, with humor emerging from clashes between urban sophistication and parochial backwaters. Elliott's dialogue-heavy scripts blend rapid-fire farce with underlying pathos, fostering emotional depth within comedic frameworks. Works like Easy Virtue adapt witty banter—drawing from Noël Coward's style but adding human nuance—to reveal vulnerabilities beneath bravado. This approach persists in ensemble-driven narratives, such as A Few Best Men (2012), where absurd, endearing exchanges propel misfits through chaotic social rituals, merging levity with poignant revelations of loyalty and loss. Across films, such scripting prioritizes bold, character-revealing verbal sparring to humanize adversity without descending into sentimentality.

Evolution from camp to comedy

Following the release of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994, which prominently featured camp aesthetics through drag performances, lip-sync sequences, and stark outback visuals for comedic effect, Stephan Elliott pursued projects emphasizing verbal wit and social observation. In Easy Virtue (2008), an adaptation of Noël Coward's 1925 play released on May 9, 2009, in the UK, Elliott directed a ensemble cast including Jessica Biel and Ben Barnes, focusing on satirical depictions of interwar British aristocracy with lightened comedic tone to attract younger viewers while honoring the original's spirit. Elliott's return to -centric narratives in A Few Best Men (2012), released December 26, 2012, shifted toward rooted in familial and cultural clashes, centering on a groom's chaotic wedding to an Australian woman amid her rowdy relatives in the rural Blue Mountains. The film, produced with a of AUD 7.5 million, utilized physical gags and escalating absurdities involving 12 groomsmen, prioritizing situational humor over character-driven flamboyance. This progression culminated in Swinging Safari (2018), premiered at the on October 17, 2017, and released widely January 18, 2018, where Elliott examined 1970s suburban life through a coming-of-age lens, incorporating with young actors to authentically portray adolescent awkwardness and parental pretensions in a coastal setting. The comedy critiqued era-specific social norms via nostalgic recreations and ironic takes on family dynamics, employing ensemble interplay and period details like bold costumes to underscore human vulnerabilities without relying on shock elements.

Reception and impact

Commercial successes

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), directed and written by Elliott, achieved significant commercial success, grossing over A$16 million at the Australian alone, making it one of the decade's top-earning domestic productions. Internationally, the film earned $11.2 million in and additional revenue from markets like the (over $50,000 in limited runs) and (approximately $6.1 million), contributing to a worldwide total exceeding initial projections from its modest budget. This performance recouped the Australian government's A$1.67 million within 12 months, yielding profits through sales reported at $2.9 million by mid-1995. Elliott's later feature Easy Virtue (2009) generated globally, including domestically, reflecting moderate returns from its period comedy adaptation distributed across and . In contrast, A Few Best Men (2012) earned worldwide on a A$14 million budget, with a strong Australian opening weekend of nearly A$1.9 million but diminishing international uptake. The Priscilla franchise extended its financial impact through stage adaptations, including a that premiered in 2006 and has toured to over a dozen countries, attracting more than six million viewers and generating sustained licensing and beyond the film's original earnings.

Critical assessments

Critics have praised The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) for its vibrant energy, campy humor, and heartfelt portrayal of its characters' journeys, with noting the film's effective blend of rhythms, scenic drives, and poignant encounters that culminate in a well-acted human drama full of . Reviewers highlighted its fresh score and riotous spirit as key strengths, contributing to broad acclaim for innovative storytelling within the genre. In contrast, Elliott's Hollywood venture Eye of the Beholder (1999) drew sharp criticism for its muddled narrative and plot inconsistencies, with reviewers describing the thriller as thematically disjointed, often boring, and reliant on confusing jumps between scenes despite a promising setup involving and . The film's dialogue was faulted as mind-numbing, exacerbating holes in the logic of its psycho-killer premise, leading to widespread pans that underscored execution flaws over stylistic ambitions. Later comedies such as (1997) and Swinging Safari (2018) elicited mixed responses, with some appreciating their kitsch charm and batty send-ups of culture, yet others decrying predictability and cringeworthy elements that veered into formulaic territory without recapturing early innovation. Analysts have observed an evolution in Elliott's oeuvre from the boundary-pushing vitality of Priscilla to more conventional comedic structures in subsequent works, where charm occasionally compensates for perceived repetition but fails to sustain critical enthusiasm.

Cultural influence and debates

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) played a pivotal role in elevating performance from niche to broader cultural visibility, spawning a long-running stage musical that toured internationally and grossed over $200 million by 2011, thereby embedding drag aesthetics in global entertainment. This influence coincided with a marked increase in LGBTQ+ representation in media; for instance, gay characters, nearly absent on U.S. television in , became relatively common by 2000, with reporting steady growth in series regular roles from fewer than 10 in the mid-1990s to over 100 by the . Debates surrounding Elliott's work center on its contribution to normalizing , with conservative critics arguing that films like facilitated a cultural shift toward gender ideologies, potentially linked to downstream effects such as rising youth diagnoses—up 4,000% in U.K. clinics from 2009 to 2018—and subsequent trends. Recent studies report rates varying from 1-6% in early adult cohorts to higher discontinuation of hormones (around 30% over four years in one U.S. sample), often attributed to unresolved comorbidities or external pressures rather than inherent resolution, challenging narratives of universal affirmation. These concerns highlight causal questions about media's role in amplifying exploration without sufficient emphasis on realities, though empirical causation remains contested due to social factors. In , Priscilla's legacy intersects with evolving societal views, where recent surveys indicate young women have grown more supportive of traditional roles between 2010 and 2024, reflecting pushback against progressive expansions like mandatory cultural acknowledgments, which opposition figures have deemed excessive. This contrasts with mainstream media portrayals often favoring expansive identities, underscoring source biases in and journalistic analyses that may underplay empirical reversals in policy and sentiment toward biological norms.

Personal life and views

Long-term partnership

Stephan Elliott has been in a long-term relationship with Wil Bevolley, a , since the late . The couple entered into a civil in in 2008, formalizing their union amid Britain's legalization of such ceremonies for same-sex partners. Elliott and Bevolley have maintained a low public profile regarding their personal life, with Elliott not publicly acknowledging his until 2012, despite the partnership's longevity. This stability has provided continuity for Elliott through periods of professional ups and downs, including joint property purchases such as a apartment in and relocations abroad.

Public statements on society

In a February 2018 interview, Australian filmmaker Stephan Elliott described contemporary as more conservative than it was during the production of his 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, stating, "Australia has become more conservative" and asserting that "I probably wouldn’t be allowed to make it []" under current conditions. He contrasted this with the 1990s era of former prime ministers and , whom he credited with fostering a bolder, boundary-pushing national culture, while criticizing John Howard's leadership for "trading on fear" and contributing to a shift toward risk-averse governance. Elliott attributed the perceived decline in societal audacity to governments becoming "increasingly reactive," prioritizing poll responses over , which he linked to a loss of Australia's "fabulously isolated" vibrancy that once enabled provocative works like his drag-themed . Elliott's critique highlighted tensions between cultural progress and , noting that while acceptance had advanced significantly— individuals in the occupied a stigmatized position "almost exactly where trans people are now"—this evolution coincided with what he saw as diminished tolerance for unfiltered expression. He referenced adaptations in the stage musical, such as having a performer disclose his to his son early in the narrative, as adjustments to a "totally different climate" marked by greater sensitivity to familial and dynamics. Despite Australia's policy advancements, including the 2017 legalization of via national plebiscite, Elliott emphasized a stifling the era's "partying" ethos and boundary-testing spirit, particularly in urban centers like , which he once viewed as "one of the boldest cities on earth." His remarks reflect a broader observation on and gender nonconformity's societal role, drawing from 's portrayal of drag queens navigating prejudice toward themes of resilience amid evolving norms. Elliott has not publicly elaborated extensively on empirical outcomes of gender-related policies, but his comments imply a preference for the unapologetic celebration of as escapist over constrained modern depictions, while acknowledging progressive gains in reducing overt discrimination against queer identities. Conservative responses to such cultural exports, including debates over 's family suitability, have persisted internationally, though Elliott frames domestic pushback as emblematic of Australia's post-1990s timidity rather than ideological opposition.

References

  1. [1]
    Stephan Elliott - Biography - IMDb
    Stephan Elliott was born on August 27, 1964 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He is a director and writer, known for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of ...
  2. [2]
    Stephan Elliott - Theatrical Rights Worldwide
    Stephan Elliott is an Australian film director and screenwriter. His best-known film internationally is The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994).
  3. [3]
    Stephan Elliott - The Wheeler Centre
    Entering the film industry aged 17, Stephan became a director at age 26 with the Cannes 1993 entrant Frauds, starring Phil Collins and Hugo Weaving.
  4. [4]
    Stephan Elliott Biography | Fandango
    Few figures in the film business have had to repeatedly overcome such drastic hurdles as Australian writer-director Stephan Elliott.
  5. [5]
    Stephan Elliott - IMDb
    He is a director and writer, known for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), Easy Virtue (2008) and Eye of the Beholder (1999).
  6. [6]
    Stephan Elliott – How I Work - Industria
    I believe that my job as a director is to create a direction which has boundaries that are wide enough for people to move within and what you do within those ...
  7. [7]
    Stephan Elliott reveals the unknown Kylie connection to Adventures ...
    Dec 12, 2017 · Elliott said the Australia he portrayed in the film was "pretty close" to his own childhood growing up in Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches.
  8. [8]
    Swinging safari Stephan Elliott movie director northern beaches
    Jan 13, 2018 · ACCLAIMED movie director Stephan Elliott's new riotous, in-your-face tragicomedy is the story of his life growing up in 1970s Dee Why.
  9. [9]
    Director Stephan Elliott on survival, fashion and sexual shenanigans ...
    Jan 4, 2018 · The director of The Adventures Of Priscilla has turned to his own childhood for a new comedy.
  10. [10]
    Stephan Elliott--The Hollywood Interview
    Nov 22, 2012 · Now, let's consider the story of Aussie director Stephan Elliott… Born August 27, 1964 in Sydney, young Stephan found his calling early ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  11. [11]
    Stephan Elliott talks suburban horror, and navigating the screw ...
    Jan 18, 2018 · From Super 8 horror movies to 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert', Stephan Elliott has come a long way from his free-wheeling suburban upbringing.
  12. [12]
    Jury 2015 - Flickerfest
    One of Australia's leading film directors, Stephan Elliott began his career as an assistant director/editor before directing Frauds, starring Phil Collins and ...Missing: training | Show results with:training
  13. [13]
    Frauds - Variety
    Dec 31, 1992 · First-time director Stephan Elliott breaks a lot of the rules with his wayward first feature, Frauds, cheerfully mixing suspense with comic- ...
  14. [14]
    Stephan Elliott Movies List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Australian writer-director Stephan Elliott. After spending his teenage years making over 900 wedding videos, Elliott was chosen from 2000 applicants to receive ...
  15. [15]
    Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994 Production Notes)
    STEPHAN ELLIOTT Writer/Director. Stephan Elliott is a huge talent whose first film, "Frauds," was shown In Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 1993 and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Priscilla Queen of the Desert director Stephan Elliott
    Oct 14, 2017 · Elliott had the idea 30 years ago but decided to sit on it until he felt mature enough to write the script, with enough distance from his own ...Missing: 1991 development history
  17. [17]
    Stephan Elliott and Al Clark reflect on The Adventures of Priscilla ...
    Oct 30, 2024 · With a six week shoot and a $3.6 million budget, it was a small film with big aspirations that became one of the top twenty highest-grossing ...
  18. [18]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 30
    Sep 4, 2024 · The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was shot on location in and around Sydney, Broken Hill, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon and Alice ...
  19. [19]
    Guy Pearce Remembers 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert's Terence ...
    Aug 17, 2025 · Written and directed by Stephan Elliott, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stars Hugo Weaving, Stamp and Pearce as Mitzi Del Bra, Bernadette ...
  20. [20]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) - IMDb
    Rating 7.5/10 (60,113) The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Directed by Stephan Elliott ... Filming locations · Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.Full cast & crew · Stephan Elliott · Filming & production · TriviaMissing: development 1991
  21. [21]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | SBIFF
    Jun 26, 2020 · This little film from Australia (the costume budget was 10k) follows Tick – a drag performer – who is offered a four-week gig at a resort in ...
  22. [22]
    Top 10 grossing Australian films of all time - ABC News
    Jul 31, 2015 · 13. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - 1994 - $16,459,245.<|control11|><|separator|>
  23. [23]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - Box Office Mojo
    Lifetime Gross, Rank. Domestic, 1, $11,220,670, 5,029. EMEA, # Releases, Lifetime Gross, Rank. United Kingdom, 2, $50,595, 6,740. APAC, # Releases, Lifetime ...
  24. [24]
    The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994)
    THE BOX OFFICE: In Australia the film took AU$16,459,245 at the box office, (Film Victoria report, 2009). In the USA the film grossed US$11,059,700 (imdb.com).Missing: gross | Show results with:gross
  25. [25]
    Eye of the Beholder (1999) - IMDb
    Rating 5/10 (16,526) Director Stephan Elliott had originally envisioned an older woman to play Joanna Eris. However, after Ashley Judd campaigned for the part, he relented. Goofs.Parents guide · Alternate versions · Full cast & crew · Filming & production
  26. [26]
    Eye of the Beholder | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 9% (88) As Joanna wanders the United States, Steve follows and destroys evidence of her multiple killings. Director: Stephan Elliott.
  27. [27]
    Easy Virtue (2008) - IMDb
    Rating 6.6/10 (23,125) Easy Virtue: Directed by Stephan Elliott. With Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth. A young Englishman marries a glamorous American.Full cast & crew · Parents guide · Plot · Filming & production
  28. [28]
    Easy Virtue | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 52% (125) Whittaker (Kristin Scott Thomas) and her daughters make it their mission to drive her away from the family fold. Director: Stephan Elliott.
  29. [29]
    Stephan Elliott is back, for better or for worse - The Australian
    Jan 21, 2012 · ONLY a few minutes after we first meet, Stephan Elliott starts telling me about his bladder problems. We're in the catering tent on the set ...Missing: setbacks | Show results with:setbacks
  30. [30]
    Director Stephan Elliott A Few Best Men | Female.com.au
    Upon his return to Australia, after some seventeen years away, director Stephan Elliott (Easy Virtue, Eye of the Beholder, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of ...
  31. [31]
    A Few Best Men (2011) - IMDb
    Rating 5.7/10 (13,854) A Few Best Men: Directed by Stephan Elliott. With Laura Brent, Xavier Samuel, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop. A groom and his three best men travel to the ...
  32. [32]
    A Few Best Men | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 16% (37) Synopsis A groom and his three best men travel to the Australian outback for his wedding. Director: Stephan Elliott. Producer: Antonia Barnard , Gary Hamilton ...
  33. [33]
    A Few Best Men (2011) directed by Stephan Elliott - Letterboxd
    Rating 2.6 (2,995) A groom and his three best men travel to the Australian outback for a wedding.
  34. [34]
    'Swinging Safari': Film Review - The Hollywood Reporter
    Feb 22, 2018 · Stephan Elliott reteams with his 'Priscilla' star Guy Pearce for 'Swinging Safari,' a raucous, semi-autobiographical ode to growing up unsupervised in the 1970 ...
  35. [35]
    Swinging Safari (2018) - IMDb
    Rating 5.6/10 (2,895) Swinging Safari: Directed by Stephan Elliott. With Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Jesse Denyer, Kotan Jacob. A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town ...Julian McMahon as Rick Jones · Full cast & crew · Parents guide · Plot
  36. [36]
    Flammable Children - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 73% (26) Local kids get a dose of excitement when a 200-ton blue whale washes up on a beach in 1970s Australia, and their parents find their own good time by ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  37. [37]
    Swinging Safari review – Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce in ...
    Dec 12, 2017 · Nothing is sacred in the delirious comedy from Priscilla's Stephan Elliott – a sex romp that simultaneously celebrates and denigrates Aussie culture.
  38. [38]
    'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 2' in the Works With Original Stars
    Apr 19, 2024 · Elliott will return as director, writer and producer, and is seeking a producing partner for the sequel. The colorful 1994 film follows a ...
  39. [39]
    'Priscilla, Queen Of the Desert' Movie Sequel Set With Original Cast
    Apr 19, 2024 · The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert director Stephan Elliott confirmed a sequel movie starring Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and ...
  40. [40]
    Priscilla, Queen of the Desert sequel in works with original cast ...
    Apr 20, 2024 · Elliott confirmed to Guardian Australia that he will serve as director, writer and producer on the sequel and that the script has been finished.
  41. [41]
    Terence Stamp Pre-Shot 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 2' Before ...
    Sep 28, 2025 · We spoke to Elliott back in April 2024, and Deadline broke the news that a sequel was in the works to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the ...
  42. [42]
    Terence Stamp filmed Priscilla, Queen of the Desert sequel scenes ...
    Oct 1, 2025 · Terence Stamp filmed Priscilla, Queen of the Desert sequel scenes before his death ... Sadly, Stamp passed away on 17 August, 2025, at the age of ...
  43. [43]
    Terence Stamp pre-shot scenes for Priscilla 2 before his death
    Sep 28, 2025 · Terence Stamp didn't want a "digital clone of himself playing Bernadette" and shot all of his scenes for the Priscilla sequel before dying.
  44. [44]
    Priscilla Queen of the Desert 2 - Wikipedia
    Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 2 is an upcoming Australian road comedy film written and directed by Stephan Elliott. It serves as the sequel to the 1994 film ...
  45. [45]
    Priscilla Queen of the Desert — the Musical Arrives in London's ...
    Entitled Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical, the stage work is co-written by Stephan Elliott (who wrote and directed the original film) and Allan ...
  46. [46]
    A Few Best Men: Film Review - The Hollywood Reporter
    Oct 17, 2011 · Director Stephan Elliott, best known for the campy/drag romp, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, a masterpiece compared to ...
  47. [47]
    A Few Best Men | Features - Screen Daily
    Mar 3, 2011 · Priscilla Queen Of The Desert director Stephan Elliott is currently shooting his latest film, a comedy about a group of English friends ...
  48. [48]
    Interview: Stephan Elliott - Glam Adelaide
    Jan 15, 2018 · Interview with Stephan Elliott, director of the up-coming Australian comedy film, Swinging Safari.
  49. [49]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 30
    Sep 4, 2024 · The film exceeded predictions, grossing more than $16 million in Australia. The film was socially and critically embraced as an instant classic.
  50. [50]
    Why 'The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert' turned the ...
    Jul 19, 2024 · An FFC executive at the festival reported to the board that the film had recorded sales of $US2.9 million with more to come, pushing it to the ...
  51. [51]
    A Few Best Men (2011) - Box Office Mojo
    All Releases ; Domestic (–) – ; International (100%) $15,521,362 ; Worldwide $15,521,362.
  52. [52]
    A Few Best Men opens strong with almost $1.9 million - IF Magazine
    Jan 30, 2012 · Australian comedy A Few Best Men raked in almost $1.9 million at the local box office in its opening weekend.
  53. [53]
    Priscilla the musical: how 'wonderful naivete' led to a global sensation
    Jan 15, 2018 · The stage show about three drag queens who travel by bus to central Australia has to date been seen by more than six million people across more than a dozen ...
  54. [54]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert movie review (1994)
    Rating 2.5/4 · Review by Roger EbertThe film settles into the rhythms of many road pictures, with lots of drive-by scenery, soul-searching talks during camp-outs on the road, and dicey encounters ...
  55. [55]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert review – riotous ...
    Jun 7, 2019 · The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert review – riotous return trip.Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
  56. [56]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | Critic Reviews
    A very human drama, well acted, and very good fun! Fresh score. The core of Stephen Elliott's movie about three drag queens on a no-hope road trip from Sydney ...
  57. [57]
    EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Neo-noir, near enough a bore (2000 in ...
    Jan 29, 2020 · On paper, it sounds strange and potentially compelling, but in reality Elliott delivers a muddled, thematically inconsistent, often downright ...
  58. [58]
    Eye of the Beholder (1999) - User reviews - IMDb
    This movie is hilariously bad--the dialogue is mind-numbing and the plot jumps around with little rhyme or reason. Some of the acting helps. Judd is excellent ...
  59. [59]
    `Eye of the Beholder': She's a Real Killer, and He's Smitten
    Jan 28, 2000 · "Eye of the Beholder" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). It has scenes of gory violence and some nudity.
  60. [60]
    Welcome to Woop Woop rewatched – gloriously batty love letter to ...
    Feb 19, 2015 · Stephan Elliott's follow-up to Priscilla confused audiences and critics, but this mad, kitsch, bittersweet film is the mother of all send-ups.
  61. [61]
    Swinging Safari: A 1970s Australian Comedy Film Review - Facebook
    Jan 25, 2025 · SWINGING SAFARI (2018) Stephan Elliott's semi autobiographical comedy Swinging Safari takes us back to the glory days of 1975. Narrated by ...90 DAYS OF SUMMER DAY 6 "Life's a Beach" SWINGING SAFARI ...Anyone seen Swinging Safari yet? - FacebookMore results from www.facebook.com
  62. [62]
    5 Secrets of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' As Drag Classic Turns 30
    Feb 22, 2024 · Join us for a desert holiday as writer-director Stephan Elliott reveals all the secrets of making his 1994 indie comedy smash from Down Under.
  63. [63]
    Television shows, gay characters and the origin of younger ...
    Dec 1, 2014 · As wider context, Garretson notes: “Gay characters were almost absent on television in 1990, but became relatively common by 2000. Likewise, ...
  64. [64]
    [PDF] A content analysis of LGBT representation on broadcast and ...
    Mar 28, 2018 · GLAAD's “Where We Are on TV” report shows growth in the number of LGBT characters on broadcast, cable, and streaming shows. 2.1 Why LGBT ...<|separator|>
  65. [65]
    The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by Philip Brophy
    Aug 27, 2008 · Priscilla balances drag's liberation from hegemonic sex and gender roles with the self-loathing, homophobic and misogynist elements that form ...
  66. [66]
    Opinion | The Truth About Detransitioning - The New York Times
    Aug 10, 2025 · Early studies, from the 1970s until the 2000s, suggested detransition among adults was rare; about 1 percent to 6 percent reversed the process ...Missing: rates | Show results with:rates
  67. [67]
    Detransition Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse People ... - NIH
    This study found that the 4-year gender-affirming hormone continuation rate was 70.2% with 81% for the transfeminine group and 64% for the transmasculine group.
  68. [68]
    Accurate transition regret and detransition rates are unknown - SEGM
    Sep 11, 2023 · Somewhat shorter average times (3-6 years) to detransition have been reported for groups who had a mix of interventions (including puberty ...
  69. [69]
    why are young women embracing traditional gender roles?
    Sep 28, 2025 · New analysis of young Australians in 2010 and again in 2024 show women have become more supportive of stereotypical gender roles.Missing: traditionalism | Show results with:traditionalism
  70. [70]
    Australia PM candidate says Aboriginal welcomes 'overdone' - BBC
    Apr 27, 2025 · Peter Dutton said Aboriginal "welcome to country" rites are "overdone", after crowds booed an elder last week.Missing: shifts traditionalism<|control11|><|separator|>
  71. [71]
    News media coverage of LGBT identities over 10 years in a 400 ...
    Apr 10, 2024 · This study analyzes LGBT portrayals in a 400-million-word news media dataset over a decade (2010–2020).
  72. [72]
    Stephan Elliott, the Aussie wedding crasher - Australian Times News
    Aug 31, 2012 · The 48-year-old has been with his partner Wil Bevolley for 20 years, but only came out publicly in January at the inaugural Australian ...<|separator|>
  73. [73]
    Blooper mars Elliott's coming out - The Sydney Morning Herald
    Feb 5, 2012 · Despite being told he was going to die, Elliott said his partner, Will Bevolley, whom he married in a civil ceremony in Britain four years ...
  74. [74]
    Australia is more conservative than 25 years ago, says iconic director
    Feb 10, 2018 · Sydney has lost its identity as one of the world's boldest cities, according to director Stephan Elliott, who grew up in Dee Why.Missing: performance | Show results with:performance
  75. [75]
    Film director Stephan Elliott lists his Bondi Beach digs for $1.3 million
    Oct 15, 2017 · Elliott penned the comedy-drama set in 1975 Australia from the Lamrock Avenue apartment he bought with his long-term partner Wil Bevolley in ...
  76. [76]
    How Australia lost its edge
    ### Quotes and Statements by Stephan Elliott on Australian Society, Conservatism, Culture, Politics