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The Sapphires

  • 20122012
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Deborah Mailman, Chris O'Dowd, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.
Play trailer2:18
3 Videos
64 Photos
BiographyComedyDrama

It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all-girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all-girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all-girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Wayne Blair
  • Writers
    • Keith Thompson
    • Tony Briggs(adapted from the stage play by)
  • Stars
    • Chris O'Dowd
    • Deborah Mailman
    • Jessica Mauboy
Top credits
  • Director
    • Wayne Blair
  • Writers
    • Keith Thompson
    • Tony Briggs(adapted from the stage play by)
  • Stars
    • Chris O'Dowd
    • Deborah Mailman
    • Jessica Mauboy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 92User reviews
    • 108Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 27 wins & 26 nominations

    Videos3

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:18
    Theatrical Version
    Festival Version
    Trailer 2:43
    Festival Version
    The Sapphires
    Trailer 1:52
    The Sapphires

    Photos64

    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Chris O'Dowd in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Chris O'Dowd in The Sapphires (2012)
    Wayne Blair in The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Chris O'Dowd, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in The Sapphires (2012)
    Chris O'Dowd and Jessica Mauboy at an event for The Sapphires (2012)
    Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens at an event for The Sapphires (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chris O'Dowd
    Chris O'Dowd
    • Dave Lovelaceas Dave Lovelace
    Deborah Mailman
    Deborah Mailman
    • Gailas Gail
    Jessica Mauboy
    Jessica Mauboy
    • Julieas Julie
    Shari Sebbens
    • Kayas Kay
    Tanika Lonesborough
    • Young Gailas Young Gail
    Nioka Brennan
    • Young Kayas Young Kay
    Lynette Narkle
    • Nanny Theresaas Nanny Theresa
    Kylie Belling
    • Geraldineas Geraldine
    Tammy Anderson
    • Evelynas Evelyn
    Miah Madden
    Miah Madden
    • Young Julieas Young Julie
    Ava Jean Miller-Porter
    • Young Cynthiaas Young Cynthia
    Carlin Briggs
    • Young Jimmyas Young Jimmy
    Gregory J. Fryer
    • Selwynas Selwyn
    Miranda Tapsell
    Miranda Tapsell
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Koby Murray
    • Baby Hartleyas Baby Hartley
    Hunter Page-Lochard
    Hunter Page-Lochard
    • Stevie Kayneas Stevie Kayne
    Judith Lucy
    Judith Lucy
    • Merleas Merle
    Annette Hodgson
    • Noeleneas Noelene
    • Director
      • Wayne Blair
    • Writers
      • Keith Thompson
      • Tony Briggs(adapted from the stage play by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal sisters from a remote mission this is the year that would change their lives forever. Around the globe, there was protest and revolution in the streets. Indigenous Australians finally secured the right to vote. There were drugs and the shock of a brutal assassination. And there was Vietnam. The sisters, Cynthia, Gail, Julie and Kay are discovered by Dave, a talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. Billed as Australia's answer to 'The Supremes', Dave secures the sisters their first true gig, and flies them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. Based on a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a triumphant celebration of youthful emotion, family and music. —Goalpost Pictures
    vietnam war1960saboriginalsoul musiclead singer237 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It's what's in the groove that counts.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Music
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sexuality, a scene of war violence, some language, thematic elements and smoking
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation.
    • Goofs
      No U.S. Soldier "in country" would have been in possession of U.S. currency; only "scrip" (a form of pseudo money) was used. Scrip could be exchanged for U.S. money only upon leaving the country. Possession of U.S. currency was an offense subject to court martial.
    • Quotes

      Dave: Before we go than, girls when I met you you were doing all country and western thing and that's fine we all make mistakes. But here is what we learn from that mistake. Country and western music is about loss. Soul music is also about loss. But the difference is in country and western music, they've lost, they've given up and they are just all wining about it. In soul music they are struggling to get it back, they haven't given up.

    • Crazy credits
      Preceding the end credits is this tribute:

      The women who inspired this story are sisters Laurel Robinson and Lois Peeler and their cousins Beverley Briggs and Naomi Mayers.

      For over 40 years they have been active community leaders, working tirelessly to improve health and education for Aboriginal people.

      Between them, they have 7 children, 10 grand children and 4 great grand children ... and they sing to them every day.
    • Alternate versions
      The Australian version is slightly different (roughly 3 minutes longer) than the one shown in International Markets. It does not have a title card in the beginning of the movie explaining about the Aborigine people and that the film is based on a real story. On the other hand. several scenes are cut shorter by a few seconds in the International version, and the end title card is also different. While it describes in details what became of each character in real life, showing pictures of each of them individually, the Australian one briefly sums up their achievements as a whole. There's a final picture of the ladies as they look-like nowadays (shown in black and white in the International version and in color on the Australian one).
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2012 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Run Through the Jungle
      Written by John Fogerty
      Administered by Hebbes Music Group Ply, Ltd.
      Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
      Under license from Concord Music Group, Inc./
      Universal Music Group International (United Kingdom)
      Licensed Courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty Limited

    User reviews92

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Party with The Sapphires.
    I absolutely wanted to see this movie because of it being Australian & Jessica Mauboy stars in it!

    It wasn't a let down. It's an absolutely brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I found the characters very likable and hate-able too. (But for good reason.)

    The songs that were sung were brilliant and thank-god it wasn't just another High School Musical film... what? Why am I saying this? There isn't even any similarity.

    The story itself was marvelous, although it felt a little rushed at times. The romance was also quite good. Very emotional scenes! The comedy was spot on 90% of the time and there were some of the funniest/corniest lines in movies I've seen ever! Also, to whoever said that they're just cheesie and the movie is a cliché: they should all go die. Because it wasn't clearly and people can't reinvent the English language and make up jokes that no one understands?

    Lastly, the brilliant central Australian cast were beautiful and very talented. You should go see it. Everyone should go see it!
    helpful•33
    10
    • shadow_matraa
    • Aug 18, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 9, 2012 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Aboriginal
    • Also known as
      • Safiri
    • Filming locations
      • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    • Production company
      • Goalpost Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,450,867
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $38,372
      • Mar 24, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,423,628
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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