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'{{Infobox film | name = Paradise | image = Paradise1982.JPG | caption = Promotional poster | director = [[Stuart Gillard]] | producer = [[Robert Lantos]]<br>[[Stephen J. Roth]] | writer = Stuart Gillard | starring = [[Willie Aames]]<br>[[Phoebe Cates]] | music = [[Paul Hoffert]] | cinematography = [[Adam Greenberg (cinematographer)|Adam Greenberg]] | editing = [[Howard Terrill]] | distributor = [[New World Pictures]] ([[Canada]])<br>[[Embassy Pictures|Avco Embassy Pictures]] ([[USA]]) | released = {{start date|1982|5|7}} | runtime = 100 minutes | country = Canada | language = English | budget = [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]3.5 million | gross = $5,588,800 (United&nbsp;States)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paradise.htm |title='&#39;Paradise (1982)'&#39; Box Office stats |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-01}}</ref> }} '''''Paradise''''' is a 1982 English language [[romance film|romance]] and [[adventure film]] starring [[Phoebe Cates]] and [[Willie Aames]], written and directed by [[Stuart Gillard]]. The original music score was composed by [[Paul Hoffert]] with the theme song 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]]'' (1980). The film was marketed with "If Only It Could Have Been Forever...''Paradise''...No Two People Have Ever Come So Close."<ref>''Paradise (1982) Promotional poster''</ref> The films' themes were similar: Two young people find themselves abandoned in a world with no adult supervision, in fact no other people anywhere. Thus they have total freedom, inevitably learning all about love and reproduction, as well as basic survival techniques. [[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."<ref>Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, Publisher: Signet ISBN 978-0-451-22186-5</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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClKc9HNeN1c ''Sneak Previews'' review of ''Paradise'']{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref> ==Plot summary== In the [[Victorian era|Victorian period]], David (Aames) and Sarah (Cates), two teenagers, travel with a [[Caravan (travellers)|caravan]] from [[Baghdad]] to [[Damascus]]. At an [[oasis]], the white slave agent 'Jackal' raids them, mainly to add the beautiful young Sarah to his [[harem]] of mistresses. David and Sarah and her [[manservant]], Geoffrey narrowly escape, but all the others are slain in the massacre including David's American missionary parents. However, Geoffrey doesn't survive long, as he sees an encampment that, unbeknownst to Geoffrey, is run by the Jackal. Geoffrey goes to the encampment seeking help but is killed by the Jackal as the remaining duo takes a rest in a nearby enclave on their westerly direction toward civilization.<ref>''Paradise (1982) An Awakening in the Desert, New York Times, By Vincent Canby, Published May 10, 1982'' Retrieved 7/5/08</ref> [[File:PhoebeWillieParadise1982.JPG|120px|left|thumb|Phoebe Cates (first movie role) & Willie Aames headline the main cast in ''Paradise'' (1982).]] Sarah and David's flight leads them to a beautiful oasis—their peaceful place in paradise—where they discover natural love and their sexuality. However, the Jackal has not given up on Sarah yet, and David must lure him to his death, or be killed by him. In the film's ending, David confronts the Jackal and is able to kill him. Sarah reveals to David that she is pregnant and the two young lovers have finally reached civilization, the city of Damascus. ==Main cast== * [[Phoebe Cates]] – Sarah * [[Willie Aames]] – David * Tuvia Tavi – The Jackal * Richard Curnock – Geoffrey * [[Neil Vipond]] – Reverend * Aviva Marks – Rachel * Joseph Shiloach – Ahmed * Jerry Rosen – Jackals Bodyguard * Riki Halfon – Belly Dancer * Shoshana Duer – Bedouin Woman ==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 marks Cates' motion picture debut that followed her modeling career. Cates was also selected for the production of the film to sing the movie's theme song.<ref>Closing credits of ''Paradise (1982)'' </ref> The film was shot on location at various settings in [[Israel]] such as [[Tel Aviv]] as well as the [[Dead Sea]] and [[Sea of Galilee]].<ref>''Paradise (1982) An Awakening in the Desert, New York Times, By Vincent Canby, Published May 10, 1982'' Retrieved 3/13/10</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 required.<ref name="nudity">"Hollywood: Nude scenes too much for Aames" by Marilyn Beck, ''[[The Orange County Register]]'', March 17, 1982. p. C3</ref> In an interview, Aames 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 on how the final print would be, not up to 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 he admitted that "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 the promotion.<ref name="nudity" /> According to Aames, Cates was "really upset" by the film.<ref name="nudity" /> ==Nominations== '''[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]''' :'''Nominated:''' [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor|Worst Actor]] ([[Willie Aames]]) ==Reception== From [[Leonard Maltin]]'s 2010 Movie Guide, p.1050: "Silly ''[[The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)|Blue Lagoon]]'' rip-off, with Aames and Cates discovering sex while stranded in the desert. Both, however, do look good sans clothes." == References == {{reflist}} == See also == *''[[The Blue Lagoon (1980 film)|The Blue Lagoon]], 1980 version'' *''[[Return to the Blue Lagoon]]'' ==External links== * {{imdb title|id=0084469|title=Paradise}} * {{Amg movie|37224|Paradise}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|id=1015925-paradise|title=Paradise}} * [http://www.cinemaconn.com/2008/10/14/paradise/ Cinema Connoisseur review] {{Stuart Gillard}} [[Category:1982 films]] [[Category:1980s adventure films]] [[Category:1980s romance films]] [[Category:Canadian drama films]] [[Category:Coming-of-age films]] [[Category:Directorial debut films]] [[Category:Films directed by Stuart Gillard]] [[Category:Films shot in Israel]] [[Category:Independent films]] [[Category:New World Pictures films]] [[Category:Romantic drama films]] [[Category:Romantic period films]] [[Category:Teen romance films]] [[Category:Victorian-era films]] [[de:Das blaue Paradies]] [[es:Paradise (película)]] [[fr:Paradis (film, 1982)]] [[it:Paradise (film 1982)]]'