County Durham during the 1984 miners' strike. Young Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) becomes fascinated with the ballet lessons which are being held in the same hall as his boxing class. The ballet teacher, Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters), recognises his potential and encourages him to join her class. As his talent gradually reveals itself, it becomes clear that Billy should be attending the Royal Ballet School in London, but with his father's opposition and the extreme poverty which descends on the area during the strike, Billy's future is far from certain. BAFTA awards were won by both Bell (Best Actor) and Walters (Best Supporting Actress). The Special Edition video also contains a 46 minute documentary about Jamie Bell called 'The Billy Elliot Boy', made by the film's director Stephen Daldry.