--- title: "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 13 reviews: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Every one of the thirteen reviews is positive, and most of the praise gathers around Terence Stamp. Critics from the first festival notices to the retrospectives three decades on call his Bernadette the soul of the film, a revelation and a star turn from an actor working against type. The rest of the credit goes to the costumes, the bitchy dialogue and the disco numbers, with several critics noting how much warmth sits under the vulgarity: a story about wanting a family, told with an old-fashioned belief in happy endings. The reservations are few and mild. Empire finds it not always as funny as it thinks it is, and says the comedy and the serious points do not quite blend. The Los Angeles Times spots a streak of conventional sentimentality that softens the edge. The spread is narrow, but there is a pattern: the 1994 American reviews are the coolest, and the later British and online writers the warmest. ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2019. The critic calls the film a smart, lovable gem and a pioneering LGBT road-trip comedy that remains tremendous and ahead of its time. They single out Terence Stamp's performance as Bernadette for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jun/07/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-review-terence-stamp) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★☆. 14 June 2024. The critic describes it as a gorgeously compelling queer cinema blockbuster with a warm-hearted tale about yearning for family at its core. They single out Terence Stamp's intensely compelling and gorgeous performance as the standout. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-review-69gjd8fwh) ## The AV Club — Patrick Gomez Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 2020. The film is a funny, feel-good cult classic about three drag queens on a road trip across Australia that celebrates queer culture and universal themes of self-acceptance and family. It highlights the witty banter, strong performances, and its unexpected mainstream embrace despite the era's challenges. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-is-anything-but-a-drag-1843894389) ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 4/5. The critic praises this Australian frock opera for its bitchy wit, fabulous photography and strong performances while addressing serious issues with satirical accuracy. Terence Stamp is singled out as a revelation in the central role. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-uvfdj6/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/) ## Time Out — NF Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2015. The review calls the film a brash, liberating and poignant road movie that never gets bogged down thanks to its disco tunes and crackling dialogue. Elliott's Fellini-esque visual panache and the anchoring performances are highlighted as especially impressive. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film a tuneful, camp odyssey with strong performances, especially Terence Stamp's sensational turn as Bernadette, and delirious design, but notes it is not always as funny as it thinks and that the mix of comedy and insights does not entirely succeed. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/adventures-priscilla-queen-desert-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 August 1994. Turan praises the bawdy humor, outrageous musical numbers, and ribald interactions among the performers as sure-fire entertainment. He notes a strain of conventional sentimentality that takes some edge off the fun but does not ruin it. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-10-ca-25377-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 1994. Ebert finds the film surprising and well-done in its portrayal of Terence Stamp as an aging transsexual drag performer. He praises the convincing humanity Stamp brings to the role and notes the story ultimately focuses on the life of a middle-aged person in a tiresome job. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-1994) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 August 1994. Maslin calls the film a flamboyantly colorful and warmly entertaining culture clash about defiant drag performers on a bus tour. She highlights its generous spirit and old-fashioned belief in happily ever after despite the outrageous elements. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/10/movies/film-review-bernadette-by-another-name-would-simply-be-ralph.html) ## Variety — David Stratton Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 1994. Festival review. Stratton describes it as a cheerfully vulgar and bitchy but warmhearted road movie with an amazing star turn by Terence Stamp. He highlights the outlandish dialogue, wild costumes, high spirits, and strong production values while noting it should appeal widely to tolerant audiences. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-1200437246/) ## Den of Geek — Tony Sokol Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 August 2025. Stephan Elliott’s cult classic is relevant, moving, exquisite, funny, and bitchy, with Terence Stamp’s performance as Bernadette as the soul of the film; it excels in performances, social commentary, and optimistic triumph over discrimination. The road-trip story and chemistry among the leads make it a milestone in LGBTQ+ portrayal. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/remembering-terence-stamp-most-underrated-performance/) ## Paste — Jacob Oller Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 June 2024. The critic celebrates the film as a glorious, heartwarmingly nuanced queer classic with blistering lead performances, ostentatious design, and a sharp script that balances bitchy realism with compassion. They single out the central trio's complex dynamic and the story's optimistic take on acceptance and community for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/queer-film/the-weekend-watch-the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert) ## Collider — Liam Gaughan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 2025. The piece praises the film as a groundbreaking mainstream comedy and joyous celebration of drag culture and LGBTQ representation, crediting Stamp's against-type performance with giving it emotional heart and charm. They highlight the tender romance subplot and the film's ability to change hearts and minds. [Read the review](https://collider.com/terence-stamp-the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert.md