A little while ago while out paroosing for a film at the local video rental shop, I was encouraged to rent the title “Billy Elliot“. While I knew next to nothing about this film, I agreed that it would be at the very least an alternative to a lot of the other drivel lining the shelves. Sorry, but films like “Snakes On A Plane” hold no interest with me. I’m a Corrie fan through and through…with tastes far too posh for the likes of that nonsense!

Back to the movie. Warning, the following may contain spoilers. If you’ve not seen the film, I suggest simply clicking on the photos to fill your boots with HP Sauce, which is of course why we’re all here…

The story of Billy Elliot takes place in the fictional town in ‘Everington’ in County Durham, northern England during the mid 1980’s. Its in this setting where young 11 year old Billy, the son of an impoverished coal miner, discovers a love for ballet while taking and later avoiding boxing lessons at the local community hall as was expected of boys his age. With the help of dance instructor Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy secretly develops his ballet talents amidst the turmoil of the miners’ strike occurring outside the boxing gym walls.

Billy’s secret cannot be kept indefinitely however once Mrs. Wilkinson encourages Billy to try out for the Royal Ballet school in London. The timing could not have been worse as Billy’s father struggles to keep food on the table and the home fires lit. With no money left, he resorts to chopping up their beloved piano for heat while also learning that his son is in his eyes a “poof”. Billy isn’t however a “poof” as his father fears…that’s the other kid up the street. Billy just likes to dance! This distinction finally hits home once he catches Billy dancing one evening in the boxing gym. From that point on Billy’s father’s attitude is markedly different and he spends his time making every effort to see to his sons future in dance.

Then one day, Billy receives a letter from the Royal Ballet School in response to his application.

Billy Elliot receives a letter from the Royal Ballet School. Tension rises!

It is interesting that the directors chose this moment to show the kitchen table adorned with HP Sauce at its center. This same bottle was spotted ever so briefly earlier in the film, but it is in this scene where its presence is obvious. The impoverished Elliot family has no money and now no piano either. It’s remains nothing but embers at the bottom of the stove yet somehow they manage to keep HP on the table.

Father, Brother & Grandmother wait in anticipation. HP provides quiet comfort.

In the end Billy is accepted to the Royal Ballet School to which he later excels to great heights when he achieves the lead role in Swan Lake. How do I think his family toasted his success? With a bacon sarnie with lashing of sauce of course. Anything else wouldn’t be true to this films roots, even if that particular scene never did make it on film…

I enjoyed this film quite a bit. Sauce or no sauce, it really gives one a taste of what life might have been like for people in similar circumstances in northern England in the mid 1980s and the harsh day to day realities they endured.

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