For Immediate Release

HIGHLY ACCLAIMED

BILLY ELLIOT

TAKES TO THE STREETS APRIL 17 WITH
INNOVATIVE FIRST-TIME RENTAL PRICING

Universal City, California, February 7, 2001 -- Billy Elliot , the humorous and inspirational film that has captured critical acclaim and received two Golden Globe nominations -- for "Best Picture," and for "Best Supporting Actress" (Julie Walters) -- debuts on April 17, 2001 on VHS and DVD from Universal Studios Home Video. The $25 million dollar hit from the makers of Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, has been called "one of the year's ten best," by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Los Angeles Times and National Board of Review. Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper of Ebert & Roeper And The Movies gave Billy Elliot "Two Thumbs Up" and heralded it as "one of the best movies of the year." Film critic Leonard Maltin recognized Billy Elliot as "finally a movie to cheer about," and Mark Salisbury of Premiere Magazine declared the film "funny." People Magazine says Billy Elliot is "totally charming,'' while the New York Observer calls Billy Elliot "a triumph." The highly touted film will be priced for rental on VHS and available on DVD for $24.98, suggested retail price. Pre-order close for the VHS rental is March 20, 2001 and DVD pre-order close is March 6, 2001.

INNOVATIVE RETAILER SUPPORT

For the first time, Universal Studios Home Video is offering retailers a no program, no goals, great low price on Billy Elliot singles and two-packs. Universal will release the critically acclaimed film at rental-price VHS with a special pricing plan. VHS copies will be available as singles or in a two-pack at a flat, low price, with no copy-depth goals to meet.

Billy Elliot is also part of the "Universal Million Dollar Movie Game" program, an exciting new consumer promotion benefiting retailers as well. By renting any one of the following Universal Studios Home Video titles: Bring It On, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Cotton Mary, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Watcher, Wonderland, The Tic Code, Loving Jezebel, and Meet the Parents, consumers are eligible to win one million dollars and other luxury prizes. The "Universal Million Dollar Movie Game" sweepstakes begins on January 30 and concludes May 31, 2001. Media support includes a massive national radio campaign in the top 50 markets. The national radio campaign, combined with the "Universal Million Dollar Movie Game," cross-trailering on three months of titles, in-store P.O.P. and a dedicated consumer website (www.movieprize.com), are expected to generate over 187 million consumer impressions. Additionally, on-line events will include never-before-seen footage on MSN.com and a dedicated website at www.billyelliot.com.

BILLY ELLIOT DVD

The Billy Elliot DVD contains a featurette titled "Billy Elliot: Breaking Free," a unique look at the making of the film with cast members Jamie Bell, Julie Walters and Director Stephen Daldry, theatrical trailer, production notes and cast and filmmaker biographies and film highlights. The DVD-ROM features include images and production information.

HIGH CRITICAL PRAISE

In addition to the national critical acclaim Billy Elliot has earned, the Screen Actors Guild has nominated Jamie Bell as "Best Actor," Julie Walter as "Best Supporting Actress," and the cast of Billy Elliot as "Best Cast." The list continues with "Best Picture of the Year" from the New York Online Film Critics Association and a nomination as "Best Film of the Year" from the Producers Guild of America.

Billy Elliot is a funny and heart-warming story that embraces and celebrates the human spirit of those trying to achieve an unlikely dream. It is a touching portrayal of a boy driven to pursue his own dreams with burning passion and relentless fervor, and in the journey is rewarded with the affirmation that dreams do come true.

Synopsis

The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) changes dramatically when one day he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. A coal miner's son, Billy finds himself demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class' exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters, Educating Rita).

Additional information is available at www.billyelliot.com.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Executive Producers: Natascha Wharton, Charles Brand, Tessa Ross, David M. Thompson

Produced By: Greg Brenman, Jon Finn

Directed By: Stephen Daldry

Written By: Lee Hall

Cast: Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Bell, Jamie Draven, Adam Cooper

VHS

Street Date: April 17, 2001 Order Close: March 20, 2001

Copyright: 2000 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 87112

Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Rating: R (language)

Technical Information: VHS / Color / Digital Stereo Surround HiFi / Closed Captioned

DVD

Street Date: April 17, 2001 Order Close: March 6, 2001

Selection Number: 21134

Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Suggested Retail Price: $24.98

Rating: R (language)

Number of Layers: 2

Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Anamorphic Widescreen

Language / Audio: English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, English captions

Bonus Materials: Featurette, Trailer, Production Notes, Talent Bios

End Of Release