Moulin Rouge! cast and crew mark 25th anniversary with revealing oral history
A new oral history details the production anecdotes behind the film that redefined the musical genre, from a cracked rib caused by corset lacing to a 60ft elephant stunt, as the industry reflects on its enduring legacy.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 musical Moulin Rouge!, director Baz Luhrmann and key cast members have released an oral history that offers an intimate look at the film's creation. The piece features reflections from Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent and Heath Ledger, alongside crew members who recall the whirlwind production process at Fox Studios in Sydney.
The retrospective highlights the intense physical demands placed on the actors, particularly Nicole Kidman, who suffered a cracked rib from corset lacing during filming. The oral history further details how stagehands poured Coca-Cola onto the glass floor to create traction for the 'Like a Virgin' sequence, a practical solution to actors repeatedly slipping on the slick surface.
Behind the scenes, the atmosphere was a mix of rigorous rehearsal and informal camaraderie. Ewan McGregor is remembered for waving his Star Wars lightsaber between takes, while the cast frequently gathered in the wig room to bond. The production also involved a massive 60ft elephant stunt, requiring actors to be strapped into harnesses high in the air, a feat that required immense courage from the performers.
Despite receiving mixed reviews at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where the reception was initially split, the film went on to become a huge box office success. It grossed $179m worldwide and received eight Oscar nominations in 2002, becoming the first musical to receive a best picture nomination since Beauty and the Beast in 1991.
The project was deeply personal for Luhrmann, whose father died on the first day of filming, leading to a ten-day delay in the shoot. The film is dedicated to him, and the director noted that he carried his father's final words to do his very best to his work. This emotional weight, combined with the extravagant visual style that defined his Red Curtain trilogy, helped cement the film's status as a modern classic.
Today, the movie remains a much-loved cultural touchstone, having been ranked 53rd in a 2016 BBC poll of the 100 greatest films of the 21st century. It was also adapted for the stage in 2018 and continues to tour globally, proving the lasting impact of its feverish song-and-dance numbers.