Billy Elliot (2000)

Jamie Bell: Billy

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Tutor 1 : What does it feel like when you're dancing?

  Billy : Don't know. Sorta feels good. Sorta stiff and that, but once I get going... then I like, forget everything. And... sorta disappear. Sorta disappear. Like I feel a change in my whole body. And I've got this fire in my body. I'm just there. Flyin' like a bird. Like electricity. Yeah, like electricity.

• Mrs. Wilkinson : This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School.

  Billy : Aren't you a bit old, miss?

  Mrs. Wilkinson : No, not me... you! I'm the bloody teacher!

• Mrs. Wilkinson : She must've been a very special woman, your mother.

  Billy : No she was just me mam.

• Billy : Just because I like ballet doesn't mean I'm a poof, you know.

• Billy : I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer.

• Billy : So, what's it like, like?

  Dad : What's what like?

  Billy : London.

  Dad : I don't know, son. I never made it past Durham.

  Billy : Have you never been?

  Dad : Why would I want to go to London?

  Billy : It's the capital city!

  Dad : Well, there are no mines in London.

  Billy : Jesus Christ, is that all you think about?

• Michael : Oi! Dancing boy!

  Dad : [Billy turns around and starts running to him]  We'll miss the bus, Billy!

  Tony : Can you stop being an old fucking woman?

  Billy : [approaches Michael, then after a moment, kisses him on the cheek]  See you then.

  [smiles and runs off] 

• Billy : I think I'm scared, Dad.

  Dad : That's okay, son. We're all scared.

  Billy : Well... if I don't like it, can I still come back?

  Dad : Are you kidding? We've let out your room.

  [straight face then laughter] 

• Billy : Miss, you don't fancy me do, do you?

  Mrs. Wilkinson : No, Billy. Funnily enough, I don't. Now piss off!

  Billy : [smiling]  Piss off yourself.

• Grandma : I used to go to ballet.

  Billy : See?

  Dad : All right for your Nana, for girls. No, not for lads, Billy. Lads do football... or boxing... or wrestling. Not friggin' ballet.

• Michael : So you're going to ballet every week?

  Billy : Aye, but don't say owt.

  Michael : Do you get to wear a tutu?

  Billy : Fuck off, they're only for lasses. I wear me shorts.

  Michael : You ought to ask for a tutu?

  Billy : I'd look a right dickhead.

  Michael : I think you'd look wicked.

• Billy : Tony, do you ever think about death?

  Tony : Fuck off.

• Debbie : If you want, I'll show you me fanny.

  Billy : Nah. You're all right.

• Billy : All right, all right, don't lose your blob!

• NCB Official : Can you tell us why you first became interested in ballet?

  Billy : Don't know.

  [pauses] 

  Billy : Just was.

  NCB Official : Well was there any particular aspect of the ballet which caught your imagination?

  Billy : The dancin'.

• Mrs. Wilkinson : So. Do we get the pleasure of your company next week?

  Billy : It's just, I feel like a right sissy.

  Mrs. Wilkinson : Well don't act like one. 50p please. And if you're not coming again give us your shoes.

  Billy : [thinks]  No, you're all right.

  Mrs. Wilkinson : Right.

• Tony : Have you been playing my records you little twat?

  Billy : I never played nowt.

  Tony : Nob'ed.

• Billy : My hands are freezing.

  Michael : 'Gizzem here.

  Billy : [Michael takes his hands and puts them in his jacket]  What are you doing?

  Michael : Nothin'. Just warmin' your hands up.

  Billy : [pause]  You're not a poof or owt?

  Michael : [deadpan]  What gave you that impression?

  Billy : Aren't me hands cold?

  Michael : I quite like it.

  [kisses Billy on the cheek; they stare at each other] 

  Billy : Just because I like ballet, doesn't mean I'm a poof, you know.

  Michael : You won't tell anyone, will you?

  Billy : [pauses, then grins]  Come on.

  Michael : [stares after him longingly] 

• Dad : I'm bustin' my ass for those 50 pences and you're - look, from now on, you stay here and look out for your Nana. Got that? Good.

  Grandma : They used to say I could have been a professional dancer if I'd had the trainin'!

  Dad : [yelling]  Will you shut up?

  Billy : I hate you! You're a bastard!

• Billy : So what about your mother? Does she have sex?

  Debbie : No, she's unfulfilled. That's why she dances.

  Billy : She dances instead of sex? Your family's weird!

• Billy : I don't want to do your stupid fucking audition! You only want me to do it for your own benefit!