MovieChat Forums > Billy Elliot: The Musical Live (2014) Discussion > Does this not betray the socialist theme...

Does this not betray the socialist theme of the story in the film?

posted 8 years ago by FX_Lord
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The scene where they are 'scrabbling around for fifty pees' and 'the scab' enters and gives them money, while a very dramatic scene, flies in the face of the film version where it was implied that they raised the money themselves.

Remember that, as a backdrop, we have a class war between the middle/upper classes and the working classes. As a working class man I remember the feeling a kind of pride when I saw the working class community band together and raise the cash needed, without the help of those on the other side of the social divide, in the film. While 'the scab' himself was working class, I grant you, he was one who submitted to other argument so in this case was on the side of the middle/upper class's argument.

Don't get me wrong, I loved it. I just felt there were a couple of points where the film was superior. Like when Billy, at the boxing club, says, 'His dad doesn't even like him coming,' gesturing towards Michael. That line of dialogue makes no sense and appears to have been added to explain why Michael is included in the boxing scene. They'd have been better leaving the line of dialogue altogether and let us presume that Michael goes to boxing because he has a crush on Billy.

And the 'What the hell's wrong in expressing yourself' dance number I thought was too long and too extravagant, drawing surreal elements like oversized dancing clothes into a play that had been quite realistic up to that point. I felt it didn't match the mood or style of the rest of the play.

Other than that though, it was superior to the film which I've always loved.

"I don't reckon I got no reason to kill nobody."

[–] tbarry23 8 years ago

The scene where they are 'scrabbling around for fifty pees' and 'the scab' enters and gives them money, while a very dramatic scene, flies in the face of the film version where it was implied that they raised the money themselves.

Remember that, as a backdrop, we have a class war between the middle/upper classes and the working classes. As a working class man I remember the feeling a kind of pride when I saw the working class community band together and raise the cash needed, without the help of those on the other side of the social divide, in the film. While 'the scab' himself was working class, I grant you, he was one who submitted to other argument so in this case was on the side of the middle/upper class's argument.

I don't really remember from the film, but I think, at least for the stage version, accepting the scabs money is meant to illustrate that everyone is supporting Billy and his dream, and are willing to take the scab's money. Don't forget, Billy's dad was going to be a scab himself in order to take Billy to the audition. Your view, which I think is correct, is given voice by having Tony argue against taking the money.

Like when Billy, at the boxing club, says, 'His dad doesn't even like him coming,' gesturing towards Michael. That line of dialogue makes no sense and appears to have been added to explain why Michael is included in the boxing scene. They'd have been better leaving the line of dialogue altogether and let us presume that Michael goes to boxing because he has a crush on Billy.

I don't think the line comes out of nowhere. At least not after it becomes clear that Michael has a crush on Billy. In fact, until I read your post I too thought it was a throwaway line. But now I think it makes perfect sense. He's there because he has a crush on Billy. The line set's it up.

And the 'What the hell's wrong in expressing yourself' dance number I thought was too long and too extravagant, drawing surreal elements like oversized dancing clothes into a play that had been quite realistic up to that point. I felt it didn't match the mood or style of the rest of the play.

It's a musical, and Michael's the only character that can get away with a big production number (as he is written, any way). I personally don't think it's extravagant; those are really some ugly dresses. But I sort of agree that it should have just ended with the boys tapping, and dispense with the dresses.