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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.

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)
- "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)
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