Xanadu (1980)

Director:

Robert Greenwald

Writers:

Richard Christian Danus (writer)
Marc Reid Rubel (writer)

Release Date:

8 August 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The Music, The Film, A Place Where Dreams Come True. [UK]

Plot:

The story of a girl who makes dreams come true.

Plot Keywords:

Muse | Artist | Disco | Hollywood Sign | Reference To Errol Flynn

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Olivia Newton-John	...	Kira
Gene Kelly	...	Danny McGuire
Michael Beck	...	Sonny Malone
James Sloyan	...	Simpson
Dimitra Arliss	...	Helen
Katie Hanley	...	Sandra
Fred McCarren	...	Richie
Ren Woods	...	Jo
Sandahl Bergman	...	Muse 1
Lynn Latham	...	Muse 2
Melinda Phelps	...	Muse 3
Cherise Bates	...	Muse 4
Juliette Marshall	...	Muse 5
Marilyn Tokuda	...	Muse 6
Yvette Van Voorhees	...	Muse 7

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (London premiere Print) | Dolby

Certification:

Austria:10 | Norway:10 | Colombia:12 | France:-12 | China:13 | Germany:6 | Denmark:7 | Australia:G | New Zealand:PG | Canada:PG | Ireland:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Brazil:Livre | Finland:S | USA:PG | Norway:7 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:A (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Andy Gibb was originally cast to play Sonny.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Near the end of "Dancin'", when the two 80's dancers meet the two 40's dancers, there is a white scrim behind them. If you look at the bottom of it, you can see several pairs of white sneakers and blue jean-clad legs behind it (the stagehands that move the 80's and 40's set together).

Quotes:

Kira: A child and a fool in one/ So sure I could need no one/ My heart always on the run/ to nowhere/ Now as you're holding me/ My heart is reminding me/ That now I could never be/ without you/ But how can our love succeed/ A miracle is what we need/ And so...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Soundtrack:

Don't Walk Away

What is there to hate about this movie, anyway?

The first time I saw this movie, I was entranced. At the time, buying a copy of the movie was not an option, but I would have bought a copy if I could have. I spent many happy hours roller skating to the pulsing beats of the soundtrack. Later, I learned that the "critics" had panned it, and I was shocked. Well, what do THEY know, anyway? As ONJ said, in the movie, '…use your imagination.'

What is there to hate about this movie, anyway? ;) The movie contains: people following their dreams, roller skating (and roller dancing), love, the beauty of the California coast, talented artists (painters, musicians, actors, singers, dancers, etc.), a wide variety of cultural experiences, a sound track that is the ultimate in great music, energetic dancing in many different forms, vivid colors, interesting special effects, good-looking people, an upbeat and positive message, and a general appreciation for all forms of art. There's even something for the intellectual in the crowd - the mythical city of Xanadu, discussed in many cultures, was always a place of sparkling jewels, art and beauty. I admit that the acting could have been better. For that, I lowered the rating from a 10 to an 8. But, come on - it wasn't THAT bad.

To me, Xanadu is a piece of art to be appreciated. This is quite a fitting tribute to muses, when you think about it. Now that I own a copy, I will let the beauty of the art surround me whenever I enter the world of Xanadu.