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Xanadu (1980)

PG  |   |  Fantasy, Musical, Romance  |  8 August 1980 (USA)
5.0
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Ratings: 5.0/10 from 8,876 users   Metascore: 35/100
Reviews: 283 user | 42 critic | 9 from Metacritic.com

The story of a girl who makes dreams come true.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Simpson
Dimitra Arliss ...
Helen
Katie Hanley ...
Sandra
Fred McCarren ...
Richie
...
Jo (as Ren Woods)
...
Muse 1
Lynn Latham ...
Muse 2
Melinda Phelps ...
Muse 3
Cherise Bates ...
Muse 4 (as Cherise Bate)
Juliette Marshall ...
Muse 5
Marilyn Tokuda ...
Muse 6
Yvette Van Voorhees ...
Muse 7
Edit

Storyline

The Greek muses incarnate themselves on Earth to inspire men to achieve. One of them, incarnated as a girl named Kira, encounters an artist named Sonny Malone. With the help of Danny McGuire, a man Kira had inspired forty years earlier, Sonny builds a huge disco roller rink. Written by Randy Goldberg <goldberg@nymc.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

1980s | 1940s | muse | disco | artist | See All (49) »

Taglines:

The Music, The Film, A Place Where Dreams Come True. [UK] See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 August 1980 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Xanadú  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,200,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(London premiere Print)|

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

At the start of the movie, Sonny goes walking along the boardwalk looking for Kera. He stops to ask "Lou" if he has seen her. Lou replies no, and proceeds to show Sonny photos of his children. Lou was in real life the owner of Sound City Studios in L.A. He is featured heavily in Sound City (2013). See more »

Goofs

At the start of "Don't Walk Away" the rose blooms with nothing around it. In the next shot leaves and stems are right beside it. See more »

Quotes

Kira: A place where nobody dared to go / the love that we came to know / They call it Xanadu / And now, open your eyes and see / what we have made is real / We are in Xanadu / A million lights are dancing and there you are, a shooting star / An everlasting world and you're here with me, eternally / Xanadu / Xanadu / now we are here in Xanadu / Xanadu / Xanadu / now we are here in Xanadu / Xanadu, your neon lights will shine for you, Xanadu / The love, the echoes of long ago / you needed the world to ...
See more »

Crazy Credits

"THE END" comes up on the screen, in big old fashioned letters, before the end credits. See more »

Connections

Featured in Animation Lookback: Don Bluth Part 1 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Magic
Performed by Olivia Newton-John
Words and Music by John Farrar
See more »

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User Reviews

 
What is there to hate about this movie, anyway?
12 September 2004 | by (Texas) – See all my reviews

The first time I saw this movie, I was entranced. At the time, buying a copy of the movie was not an option, but I would have bought a copy if I could have. I spent many happy hours roller skating to the pulsing beats of the soundtrack. Later, I learned that the "critics" had panned it, and I was shocked. Well, what do THEY know, anyway? As ONJ said, in the movie, '…use your imagination.'

What is there to hate about this movie, anyway? ;) The movie contains: people following their dreams, roller skating (and roller dancing), love, the beauty of the California coast, talented artists (painters, musicians, actors, singers, dancers, etc.), a wide variety of cultural experiences, a sound track that is the ultimate in great music, energetic dancing in many different forms, vivid colors, interesting special effects, good-looking people, an upbeat and positive message, and a general appreciation for all forms of art. There's even something for the intellectual in the crowd - the mythical city of Xanadu, discussed in many cultures, was always a place of sparkling jewels, art and beauty. I admit that the acting could have been better. For that, I lowered the rating from a 10 to an 8. But, come on - it wasn't THAT bad.

To me, Xanadu is a piece of art to be appreciated. This is quite a fitting tribute to muses, when you think about it. Now that I own a copy, I will let the beauty of the art surround me whenever I enter the world of Xanadu.


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