‘Work of art’ true-story film starring Terence Stamp now streaming

Terence Stamp died on August 17, 2025 at the age of 87.

Terence Stamp fans were shocked by the news of his death on August 17, after the award-winning actor’s family paid tribute to him.

“He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and a writer that will continue to touch people for years to come,” they said. Stamp received two Bafta nominations in 1963 and 1995, and went on to win a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in Billy Budd.

The star was nominated for a number of awards for his role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. In the film, which was released in 1994, he played Bernadette Bassenger – a former drag queen and transgender woman.

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The film was based on the lives of three actual drag queens – Cindy Pastel, Strykermyer and Lady Bump – who were originally going to play themselves.

However, they were later replaced with what the studio considered “bankable” actors.

The plot follows two drag queens Mitzi Del Bra and Felicia Jollygoodfellow (played by Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce) and transgender woman Bernadette Bassenger (Stamp), as they journey across the Australian Outback on a tour bus named Priscilla.

Along the way they encounter different groups and individuals and upon the film’s initial release, it became an unprecedented worldwide hit.

Receiving mostly positive reviews, it became a cult classic both in Australia and abroad.

Viewers took to Google Reviews to share their thoughts, with Fiona Carvill writing: “This movie is a work of art. I love the incongruousness of the flamboyant, glittery, glam drag queens with their big pink bus against the backdrop of the hard, dry Aussie Outback and simple rural folk.

“The cinematography is amazing. Yet amongst the very humorous dialogue and happy moments integration with indigenous peoples and town folk there is also sadness and struggles of the three drag queens.

“A feel good movie that ends giving you a warm fuzzy feeling. A balm for the soreness of life.”

Joshmyersrulz praised Stamp specifically, sharing: “I hadn’t ever heard of this film and quite frankly don’t understand how it was never on my radar.

“I love Hugo Weaving so I knew it would be enjoyable based off his presence alone. Guy Pearce also has a resume to envy, so again I expect to enjoy this film.

“But it was Terrence Stamp’s performance that made me love this movie. Stamp as Bernadette is such an effortlessly natural performance that I’m appalled he isn’t clutching an Oscar from it. But the film did win an Oscar for wardrobe design and deservedly so!”

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is streaming on Prime Video