Information by Baz the Great!

Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy showcases a method of unique film making that dares to break the conventions of typical Hollywood movies. While critics can sometimes be less appreciative of his talent, Luhrmann's determination to reinvent genres and break away from the traditional process of story-telling has rewarded him with worthy recognition across the world.

The Red Curtain style of film making was devised by Luhrmann with certain specifics in mind that serve to actively promote audience participation. These are: 1) the audience knows how it will end right from the start; 2) the storyline is thin and simple; 3) the world created in the film is one of heightened reality; and 4) there is to be a specific device driving the story, whether it be dance, iambic pentameter or characters bursting out in song.

Luhrmann made ballroom dancing trendy again with Strictly Ballroom, introduced Shakespeare to a whole new generation with the remarkable modernisation of Romeo and Juliet, and then went on to reinvent movie musicals with the box office smash hit, Moulin Rouge. It is these three films that have been brought together to create his much celebrated Red Curtain Trilogy DVD box set.

The magnificent box set features special editions of all three of Baz Luhrmann's films, and includes a bonus fifth disc, Behind the Red Curtain, that provides a fascinating insight into the world of Baz Luhrmann and his production company, Bazmark Inq. The Red Curtain Trilogy DVD box set was originally released on 10 September 2002 on Region 1 (USA). It was then released on 27 November 2002 on Region 4 (Australasia). It took a few more years to be released on Region 2 (UK) on 6th February 2006. I can only assume the Red Curtain Trilogy has now been released worldwide.

The following information provides a brief listing of special features included on the individual DVDs, as listed on amazon.com. Click on the movie titles or icons below to learn more about the each of the three films featured in the Red Curtain Trilogy box set.

Strictly Ballroom
- Commentary by director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, production designer and co-costumer Catherine Martin, and choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell
- "Samba to Slow Fox" dance documentary (1986, 30 min.)
- Design gallery: Behind the Red Curtain (backstage snapshots), That's Looking Good (production design), Dance to Win (promotional & various), Yesterday's Hero (Baz's family album), Love Is in the Air (Scott and Fran)

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
- Commentary by Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Don McAlpine, and Craig Pearce
- Cinematographer's Gallery: Scene selection by Don McAlpine
- Director's Gallery: Go behind the scenes with Baz Luhrmann
- Cast & crew interviews
- Music videos: "Young Hearts Run Free" by Kym Mazelle; "Kissing You" by Des'ree
- DVD-ROM: Screenplay Comparison Excerpts

Moulin Rouge (2 discs)
- Production commentary by director Baz Luhrmann, production designer Catherine Martin, and cinematographer Don McAlpine
- Writing commentary by writers Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce
- 8 behind-the-scenes branches
- Audio track for the visually impaired
- "The Making of Moulin Rouge" HBO special
- 5 "Star" featurettes: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
- The Story Is About...: interview with writers Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce; Craig Pearce reads early treatment; old storyline and script comparisons
- The Cutting Room: interview with Baz Luhrmann and editor Jill Bilcock; unseen footage of abandoned edits (Come What May, Dance Across the Sky, Zidler's Rap, Outside It May Be Raining, Green Fairy Previsualisation); director's mock previsualisations
- The Dance: A Word with Baz, Tango (extended & multicam), Hindi (extended), Can Can (extended & multicam), Coup d'Etat (extended & multicam)
- The Music: The Musical Journey, interview with Fatboy Slim, The Lady Marmalade Phenomenon, Come What May
- The Design: Interview with production designer and co-costume designer Catherine Martin, set design, interview with co-costume designer Angus Strathe, costume design, graphic design, smoke and mirrors
- Marketing: International sizzle reel, photo gallery, the little red book, poster gallery, trailers, music promo spot, extended scenes & 4 re-cut dance sequences.

Behind the Red Curtain
(Exclusive bonus disc featured only in the Red Curtain Trilogy. I have not written a review due to the huge volume of content, but I highly recommended this disc!)
- "The House of Iona": tour of the home of the Bazmark creative team
- "Red Curtain Cinema" documentary with branching archival footage (approximately 2 hours worth!)
- "Now Until the Break of Day" music video
- Screen savers
- "One Day I'll Fly Away" music video
- Final scripts
- "Strictly Ballroom" comics
- DVD-ROM features (including scripts!)

Click here to purchase the Region 1 Red Curtain Trilogy from amazon.com (USA)
Click here to purchase the Region 2 Red Curtain Trilogy from play.com (UK)
Click here to purchase the Region 4 Red Curtain Trilogy from sanity.com.au (AUS)

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