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}}
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| writer = Stuart Gillard
| writer = Stuart Gillard
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|<!--Per poster billing-->
* [[Willie Aames]]
* [[Willie Aames]]
* [[Phoebe Cates]]
* [[Phoebe Cates]]
Line 24: Line 24:
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]3.5 million
| budget = [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]3.5 million
| gross = $5.5 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paradise.htm |title='Paradise (1982)' Box Office stats |publisher=Box office mojo | access-date=2012-08-01}}</ref>
| gross = $5.5 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paradise.htm |title='Paradise (1982)' Box Office stats |publisher=Box office mojo | access-date=2012-08-01}}</ref> or $2,355,145<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americanfilmdist0000dona/page/295/mode/1up|title= American film distribution : the changing marketplace|last=Donahue|first= Suzanne Mary|year=1987 |publisher=UMI Research Press |page=295|isbn= 978-0-8357-1776-2}} Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Paradise''''' is a 1982 Canadian [[adventure film|adventure]] [[romance film]] written and directed by [[Stuart Gillard]] (in his [[List of directorial debuts|directorial debut]]). It stars [[Phoebe Cates]], [[Willie Aames]], and Tuvia Tavi. The original music score was composed by [[Paul Hoffert]] with the [[Paradise (Phoebe Cates song)|theme song]] written and produced by [[Joel Diamond]] and [[L. Russell Brown]] and sung by Phoebe Cates.<ref>Closing credits of ''Paradise (1982)'' VHS (DVD released outside the US)</ref>
'''''Paradise''''' is a 1982 Canadian [[adventure film|adventure]]-[[romance film]] written and directed by [[Stuart Gillard]] (in his [[List of directorial debuts|directorial debut]]). It stars [[Phoebe Cates]], [[Willie Aames]], and Tuvia Tavi. The original music score was composed by [[Paul Hoffert]] with the [[Paradise (Phoebe Cates song)|theme song]] written and produced by [[Joel Diamond]] and [[L. Russell Brown]] and sung by Phoebe Cates.<ref>Closing credits of ''Paradise (1982)'' VHS (DVD released outside the US)</ref>


It was critiqued at the time as a "knockoff" of the more-famous ''[[The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)|The Blue Lagoon]]'', as it shared a similar story to the 1980 film.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lNUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jI0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5182,3477772&dq=willie+aames&hl=en ''Google News Archive: Baton Rouge News - May 11, 1982'']</ref>
It was critiqued at the time as a "knockoff" of the more famous ''[[The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)|The Blue Lagoon]]'', as it shared a similar story to the 1980 film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheffield |first=Skip |date=May 11, 1982 |title=Lost in 'Paradise' |work=[[Boca Raton News]] |page=17 |volume=27 |issue=138}}</ref>


==Plot summary==
==Plot==
In 1823, during the [[Georgian era]], teenagers David and Sarah travel with a [[Caravan (travellers)|caravan]] from [[Baghdad]] to [[Damascus]]. At an [[oasis]], a slaver known as 'the Jackal' raids the party and attempts to add the beautiful young Sarah to his [[harem]]. David and Sarah and her servant, Geoffrey, narrowly escape, but all the others are slain in a massacre, including David's American missionary parents. When Geoffrey seeks help at an encampment controlled by the Jackal, he is killed.
In 1823, during the [[Georgian era]], teenagers David and Sarah travel with a [[Caravan (travellers)|caravan]] from [[Baghdad]] to [[Damascus]]. At an [[oasis]], a slaver known as "The Jackal" raids the party and attempts to add the beautiful young Sarah, the daughter of a wealthy British [[Merchant]], to his [[harem]]. David and Sarah and her servant, Geoffrey, narrowly escape, but all the others are slain in a massacre, including David's American missionary parents. When Geoffrey seeks help at an encampment, he is killed when he learns too late that it's controlled by the Jackal.


Left to fend for themselves, David and Sarah head west, struggling to survive the desert’s harsh conditions. Eventually, they stumble upon a stunning oasis by the sea—a paradise where they can rest, recover, and let their guard down. In this peaceful setting, their relationship grows, and they discover love and intimacy for the first time. Away from the rules of society, they find freedom and joy in each other, but their happiness can’t last forever.
David and Sarah rest at a nearby enclave as they head west toward civilization. Their flight leads them to a beautiful oasis — a Paradise—where they discover love and sex. However, the Jackal does not give up hope of capturing Sarah, so David must lure him to his death. At the conclusion, Sarah reveals to David that she is pregnant and the two young lovers finally reach civilization, the city of Damascus.

The Jackal is still hunting them, and their idyllic life is interrupted when he closes in on their oasis. David, determined to protect Sarah, hatches a clever plan to lure the slaver to his death. In a tense climax, David finally defeats the Jackal, ensuring their safety.

As they continue their journey, Sarah reveals she’s pregnant, adding a hopeful note to their story. The film ends with the young lovers finally reaching the city of Damascus, having grown from innocent teenagers into resilient survivors who found love and strength in the face of unimaginable challenges.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Phoebe Cates]] – Sarah
* [[Phoebe Cates]] as Sarah
* [[Willie Aames]] – David
* [[Willie Aames]] as David
* Tuvia Tavi – The Jackal
* Tuvia Tavi as The Jackal
* Richard Curnock – Geoffrey
* Richard Curnock as Geoffrey
* Neil Vipond – Reverend
* Neil Vipond as Reverend
* Aviva Marks – Rachel
* Aviva Marks as Rachel
* [[Yosef Shiloach]] – Ahmed
* [[Yosef Shiloach]] as Ahmed


==Production==
==Production==
Producers of the film, Robert Lantos and Stephen J. Roth first selected Aames and later, after a screen test, agreed on Cates for the role of Sarah.<ref>''Paradise Press kit, 'New Eve for Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982'' Retrieved 3/13/10</ref> The film marked the acting debut of Cates, who was 17 years old at the time of filming. Cates's starring role involved several fully [[nudity in film|nude scenes]]. She was also selected to sing the movie's [[Paradise (Phoebe Cates song)|theme song]].<ref>Closing credits of ''Paradise (1982)''</ref> The film was shot on location at various settings in [[Israel]] including [[Tel Aviv]], the [[Dead Sea]] and the [[Sea of Galilee]].<ref name="Paradise Desert">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/10/movies/paradise-an-awakening-in-the-desert.html |title=Paradise, An Awakening in the Desert |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= May 10, 1982|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>''Paradise Press kit, 'Strangers in Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982'' Retrieved 3/13/10</ref>
Producers of the film, Robert Lantos and Stephen J. Roth first selected Aames and later, after a screen test, agreed on Cates for the role of Sarah.<ref>''Paradise Press kit, 'New Eve for Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982'' Retrieved 3/13/10</ref> The film marked the acting debut of Cates, who was 17 years old at the time of filming. Cates's starring role involved several fully [[nudity in film|nude scenes]]. She was also selected to sing the movie's [[Paradise (Phoebe Cates song)|theme song]].<ref>Closing credits of ''Paradise (1982)''</ref> The film was shot on location at various settings in [[Israel]] including [[Tel Aviv]], the [[Dead Sea]] and the [[Sea of Galilee]].<ref name="Paradise Desert">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/10/movies/paradise-an-awakening-in-the-desert.html |title=Paradise, An Awakening in the Desert |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= May 10, 1982|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>''Paradise Press kit, 'Strangers in Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982'' Retrieved 3/13/10</ref>


During production, Aames and Cates both decided that the film did not need as much nudity as the script called for.<ref name="nudity">[https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register/1982-03-17/page-34 "Hollywood: Nude scenes too much for Aames" by Marilyn Beck], ''[[The Orange County Register]]'' (Archives), March 17, 1982. p. C3</ref> In interviews, Aames and Cates claimed that "the producer (Lantos) went back to Canada and used somebody else in the shots.<ref name="Cates Paradise">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082395,00.html |title=Paradise Star Phoebe Cates Hangs Her Own Film with a One-Word Review—'rip-Off' |publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=1982-06-14 |access-date=2013-05-19}}</ref> They weren't in the version of the film they showed us for approval. When I finally got to see the final print months later, I flipped."<ref name="nudity" /> Lantos responded to this by saying that it was up to himself and the distributor to decide what would be included in the final release, not any of the actors. He furthermore claimed that "99% of it was what Willie and Phoebe shot."<ref name="nudity" />
During production, Aames and Cates both decided that the film did not need as much nudity as the script called for.<ref name="nudity">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/110620015/?clipping_id=130539510|title=Trouble in 'Paradise': Actor is unhappy with added nude scenes|author=Marilyn Beck|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|date=March 12, 1982}}</ref> In interviews, Aames and Cates claimed that "the producer (Lantos) went back to Canada and used somebody else in the shots. They weren't in the version of the film they showed us for approval. When I finally got to see the final print months later, I flipped."<ref name="nudity" /> Lantos responded to this by saying that it was up to himself and the distributor to decide what would be included in the final release, not any of the actors. He furthermore claimed that "99% of it was what Willie and Phoebe shot."<ref name="nudity" />


Nevertheless, Aames agreed to promote the film because, as he admitted, "aside from those parts that bother me, it's a damn good film."<ref name="nudity" /> Cates felt differently and refused to have anything to do with promotion, such as screenings and parties.<ref name="Cates Paradise" /><ref name="nudity" /> According to Aames, Cates was "really upset" by the film.<ref name="nudity" />
Nevertheless, Aames agreed to promote the film because, as he admitted, "Aside from those parts that bother me, it's a damn good film."<ref name="nudity" /> Cates felt differently and refused to have anything to do with promotion, such as screenings and parties.<ref name="Cates Paradise">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082395,00.html |title=Paradise Star Phoebe Cates Hangs Her Own Film with a One-Word Review—'rip-Off' |publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=1982-06-14 |access-date=2013-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227032507/https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082395,00.html|archive-date=2009-12-27}}</ref><ref name="nudity" /> According to Aames, Cates was "really upset" by the film and was worried it would kill her career.<ref name="nudity" />


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
On [[Metacritic]] the film has a [[weighted mean|weighted average score]] of 20 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paradise-1982|title=Paradise (1982) reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date= April 4, 2020}}</ref>
On [[Metacritic]] the film has a [[weighted mean|weighted average score]] of 20 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paradise-1982|title=Paradise (1982) reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date= April 4, 2020}}</ref>


Writing in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[Tom Shales]] stated that ''Paradise'' "amounts to 100 minutes of agonizing tedium seasoned with equal parts excruciating embarrassment." He also criticized the depiction of the Jackal, describing the character as "an [[Anti-Arabism|offensively stereotyped Arab]]".<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/05/10/paradise-birds-bees-and-chimps/c060b236-76d2-4127-8ab0-3054b024ec4b/ "'Paradise': Birds, Bees and Chimps"] Washington Post, May 10, 1982, Retrieved June 10, 2018.</ref> [[Leonard Maltin]]'s annual ''[[Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide|Movie Guide]]'' book describes it this way: "Rating: star and a half. Silly ''Blue Lagoon'' ripoff, with Aames and Cates discovering sex while stranded in the desert. Both, however, do look good ''sans'' clothes."<ref>{{Citation | first = Leonard | last = Maltin | title = Movie Guide | year = 2007 | publisher = Signet | isbn = 978-0-451-22186-5 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/leonardmaltins2000leon }}.</ref> Upon its release, when reviewed on the show ''[[Sneak Previews]]'', [[Roger Ebert]] selected it as his "Dog of the Week," the worst film he saw that week, and heavily berated it.<ref>[http://detroit.fuzzymemories.tv/index.php?c=215&m= ''Sneak Previews'' review of ''Paradise'']</ref> In his book ''Reel Bad Arabs'', writer [[Jack Shaheen]] criticized ''Paradise'' for the character of the Jackal, calling him a "particularly degrading" depiction of an Arab sheikh.<ref>Jack Shaheen, ''Reel Bad Arabs : How Hollywood vilifies a people''. Northampton, Massachutsetts : Olive Branch Press, 2015 (p. 28)</ref>
Writing in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[Tom Shales]] stated that ''Paradise'' "amounts to 100 minutes of agonizing tedium seasoned with equal parts excruciating embarrassment". He also criticized the depiction of the Jackal, describing the character as "an [[Anti-Arabism|offensively stereotyped Arab]]".<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/05/10/paradise-birds-bees-and-chimps/c060b236-76d2-4127-8ab0-3054b024ec4b/ "'Paradise': Birds, Bees and Chimps"] Washington Post, May 10, 1982, Retrieved June 10, 2018.</ref> [[Leonard Maltin]]'s annual ''[[Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide|Movie Guide]]'' book describes it this way: "Rating: star and a half. Silly ''Blue Lagoon'' ripoff, with Aames and Cates discovering sex while stranded in the desert. Both, however, do look good ''sans'' clothes."<ref>{{Citation | first = Leonard | last = Maltin | title = Movie Guide | year = 2007 | publisher = Signet | isbn = 978-0-451-22186-5 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/leonardmaltins2000leon }}.</ref> Upon its release, when reviewed on the show ''[[Sneak Previews]]'', [[Roger Ebert]] selected it as his "Dog of the Week," the worst film he saw that week, and heavily berated it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://detroit.fuzzymemories.tv/index.php?c=215&m=|title=FuzzyMemories.TV - - WTTW Channel 11 - Sneak Previews - "Blade Runner" (Review & Ending, 1982)|website=detroit.fuzzymemories.tv}}</ref> In his book ''Reel Bad Arabs'', writer [[Jack Shaheen]] criticized ''Paradise'' for the character of the Jackal, calling him a "particularly degrading" depiction of an Arab sheikh.<ref>Jack Shaheen, ''Reel Bad Arabs : How Hollywood vilifies a people''. Northampton, Massachutsetts : Olive Branch Press, 2015 (p. 28)</ref>


==Nominations==
==Nominations==
Line 64: Line 68:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Amg movie|37224}}
* {{AllMovie title|37224}}
* {{IMDb title|0084469}}
* {{IMDb title|0084469}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|1015925-paradise}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|1015925-paradise}}
* {{tcmdb title|4780}}
* {{TCMDb title|4780}}


{{Stuart Gillard}}
{{Stuart Gillard}}
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[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Stuart Gillard]]
[[Category:Films directed by Stuart Gillard]]
[[Category:Films scored by Paul Hoffert]]
[[Category:Films set in 1823]]
[[Category:Films set in 1823]]
[[Category:Films set in the Middle East]]
[[Category:Films set in the Middle East]]
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[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:New World Pictures films]]
[[Category:Teen adventure films]]
[[Category:Teen adventure films]]
[[Category:English-language historical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]
[[Category:English-language historical romance films]]
[[Category:English-language adventure drama films]]

Latest revision as of 10:08, 16 November 2024

Paradise
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStuart Gillard
Written byStuart Gillard
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAdam Greenberg
Edited byHoward Terrill
Music byPaul Hoffert
Production
company
RSL Films
Distributed byNew World-Mutual
Release date
  • May 7, 1982 (1982-05-07)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
BudgetCA$3.5 million
Box office$5.5 million[1] or $2,355,145[2]

Paradise is a 1982 Canadian adventure-romance film written and directed by Stuart Gillard (in his directorial debut). It stars Phoebe Cates, Willie Aames, and Tuvia Tavi. The original music score was composed by Paul Hoffert with the theme song written and produced by Joel Diamond and L. Russell Brown and sung by Phoebe Cates.[3]

It was critiqued at the time as a "knockoff" of the more famous The Blue Lagoon, as it shared a similar story to the 1980 film.[4]

Plot

[edit]

In 1823, during the Georgian era, teenagers David and Sarah travel with a caravan from Baghdad to Damascus. At an oasis, a slaver known as "The Jackal" raids the party and attempts to add the beautiful young Sarah, the daughter of a wealthy British Merchant, to his harem. David and Sarah and her servant, Geoffrey, narrowly escape, but all the others are slain in a massacre, including David's American missionary parents. When Geoffrey seeks help at an encampment, he is killed when he learns too late that it's controlled by the Jackal.

Left to fend for themselves, David and Sarah head west, struggling to survive the desert’s harsh conditions. Eventually, they stumble upon a stunning oasis by the sea—a paradise where they can rest, recover, and let their guard down. In this peaceful setting, their relationship grows, and they discover love and intimacy for the first time. Away from the rules of society, they find freedom and joy in each other, but their happiness can’t last forever.

The Jackal is still hunting them, and their idyllic life is interrupted when he closes in on their oasis. David, determined to protect Sarah, hatches a clever plan to lure the slaver to his death. In a tense climax, David finally defeats the Jackal, ensuring their safety.

As they continue their journey, Sarah reveals she’s pregnant, adding a hopeful note to their story. The film ends with the young lovers finally reaching the city of Damascus, having grown from innocent teenagers into resilient survivors who found love and strength in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Producers of the film, Robert Lantos and Stephen J. Roth first selected Aames and later, after a screen test, agreed on Cates for the role of Sarah.[5] The film marked the acting debut of Cates, who was 17 years old at the time of filming. Cates's starring role involved several fully nude scenes. She was also selected to sing the movie's theme song.[6] The film was shot on location at various settings in Israel including Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.[7][8]

During production, Aames and Cates both decided that the film did not need as much nudity as the script called for.[9] In interviews, Aames and Cates claimed that "the producer (Lantos) went back to Canada and used somebody else in the shots. They weren't in the version of the film they showed us for approval. When I finally got to see the final print months later, I flipped."[9] Lantos responded to this by saying that it was up to himself and the distributor to decide what would be included in the final release, not any of the actors. He furthermore claimed that "99% of it was what Willie and Phoebe shot."[9]

Nevertheless, Aames agreed to promote the film because, as he admitted, "Aside from those parts that bother me, it's a damn good film."[9] Cates felt differently and refused to have anything to do with promotion, such as screenings and parties.[10][9] According to Aames, Cates was "really upset" by the film and was worried it would kill her career.[9]

Critical reception

[edit]

On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 20 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[11]

Writing in The Washington Post, Tom Shales stated that Paradise "amounts to 100 minutes of agonizing tedium seasoned with equal parts excruciating embarrassment". He also criticized the depiction of the Jackal, describing the character as "an offensively stereotyped Arab".[12] Leonard Maltin's annual Movie Guide book describes it this way: "Rating: star and a half. Silly Blue Lagoon ripoff, with Aames and Cates discovering sex while stranded in the desert. Both, however, do look good sans clothes."[13] Upon its release, when reviewed on the show Sneak Previews, Roger Ebert selected it as his "Dog of the Week," the worst film he saw that week, and heavily berated it.[14] In his book Reel Bad Arabs, writer Jack Shaheen criticized Paradise for the character of the Jackal, calling him a "particularly degrading" depiction of an Arab sheikh.[15]

Nominations

[edit]

Golden Raspberry Awards

Nominated: Worst Actor (Willie Aames)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'Paradise (1982)' Box Office stats". Box office mojo. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  2. ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 295. ISBN 978-0-8357-1776-2. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada
  3. ^ Closing credits of Paradise (1982) VHS (DVD released outside the US)
  4. ^ Sheffield, Skip (May 11, 1982). "Lost in 'Paradise'". Boca Raton News. Vol. 27, no. 138. p. 17.
  5. ^ Paradise Press kit, 'New Eve for Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982 Retrieved 3/13/10
  6. ^ Closing credits of Paradise (1982)
  7. ^ "Paradise, An Awakening in the Desert". The New York Times. May 10, 1982. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  8. ^ Paradise Press kit, 'Strangers in Paradise', Embassy Pictures, Published 1982 Retrieved 3/13/10
  9. ^ a b c d e f Marilyn Beck (March 12, 1982). "Trouble in 'Paradise': Actor is unhappy with added nude scenes". The Courier-Journal.
  10. ^ "Paradise Star Phoebe Cates Hangs Her Own Film with a One-Word Review—'rip-Off'". People. 1982-06-14. Archived from the original on 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  11. ^ "Paradise (1982) reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  12. ^ "'Paradise': Birds, Bees and Chimps" Washington Post, May 10, 1982, Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  13. ^ Maltin, Leonard (2007), Movie Guide, Signet, ISBN 978-0-451-22186-5.
  14. ^ "FuzzyMemories.TV - - WTTW Channel 11 - Sneak Previews - "Blade Runner" (Review & Ending, 1982)". detroit.fuzzymemories.tv.
  15. ^ Jack Shaheen, Reel Bad Arabs : How Hollywood vilifies a people. Northampton, Massachutsetts : Olive Branch Press, 2015 (p. 28)
[edit]
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