Nicole Kidman’s musical film Moulin Rouge, which earned her an Oscar nomination, included Ozzy Osbourne in a minimal way, limiting his contribution to a single scream. Originally intended to feature the late Black Sabbath singer performing a full cover of “The Sound of Music,” the sequence was significantly altered before release.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Role Drastically Reduced in Final Version
Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away at 76, was credited as the voice for the Green Fairy’s darker persona in Moulin Rouge, a role portrayed on screen by Kylie Minogue. Although his vocals barely appear in the movie, director Baz Luhrmann initially planned a much more elaborate sequence showing the Green Fairy’s transformation into a demonic alter ego.
Luhrmann revealed in correspondence with writer Gavin Edwards that a complex sequence was filmed with Osbourne singing a cover of “The Sound of Music.” However, this entire segment was ultimately cut from the final edit, leaving only a brief scream from Osbourne heard during Minogue’s performance.
“At one stage I had a much more complicated sequence where the innocent Green Fairy metamorphoses into its darker demonic alter-ego.”
—Baz Luhrmann, Director
Fans Missed Out on Osbourne’s Unique Contribution
Despite Osbourne’s initially intended prominent vocal role, the film as released only includes a fleeting sound from the Black Sabbath frontman. Director Luhrmann emphasized that with the support of Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, they recorded the full version of the song, but the movie cut the vocals down extensively.
“With the ever-helpful Sharon Osbourne, we recorded Ozzy doing ‘The Sound of Music’ for that sequence–but we ended up cutting down his incredible vocal to a brief scream.”
—Baz Luhrmann, Director
While Moulin Rouge has since become a cult classic, this omission leaves many fans disappointed, especially given how essential music is to the film’s identity. The decision to remove Osbourne’s performance contrasts with the movie’s otherwise bold, genre-spanning soundtrack.
The Importance of Music in Moulin Rouge’s Legacy
Moulin Rouge stands out for its inventive musical approach, melding songs from various artists, genres, and decades rather than relying solely on traditional musical numbers. The soundtrack features covers and original compositions, including Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Elton John’s “Your Song,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” alongside Craig Armstrong’s original score.
The omission of Osbourne’s rendition of “The Sound of Music” is a notable loss within this rich musical tapestry. Following his passing, some fans hope a special edition release could restore his full contribution as a tribute, though such a release appears unlikely at this time.
Currently, Moulin Rouge! is available for rental on Apple TV in the USA, allowing audiences to revisit its unique blend of music and storytelling despite this controversial cut.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Nicole Kidman have biological kids?
A. The Hollywood actress has four kids. She adopted a son and a daughter. She also has a daughter she gave birth to and another daughter born through surrogacy. She had her biological daughters with her husband, Keith Urban, and they got married in 2006.
