Paradise Road (1997)

A group of women who are imprisoned on the island of Sumatra by the Japanese during World War II use music as relieve their misery.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

David Giles (story), Martin Meader (story)

Stars:

Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, Pauline Collins

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Close	...	Adrienne Pargiter
Frances McDormand	...	Dr. Verstak
Pauline Collins	...	Margaret Drummond
Cate Blanchett	...	Susan Macarthy
Jennifer Ehle	...	Rosemary Leighton-Jones
Julianna Margulies	...	Topsy Merritt
Wendy Hughes	...	Mrs. Dickson
Johanna ter Steege	...	Sister Wilhelminia (as Johanna Ter Steege)
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Roberts
Pamela Rabe	...	Mrs. Tippler
Clyde Kusatsu	...	The Snake
Stan Egi	...	Captain Tanaka
David Chung	...	The Interpreter
Sab Shimono	...	Colonel Hirota
Penne Hackforth-Jones	...	Mrs. Pike

Storyline

The group of women from different countries and social levels are prisoners in a Japanese POW camp, where one of them, Adrienne, who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, organizes a vocal band in spite of their guards resistance.

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Plot Keywords:

japanese | prison | island | singapore | prison camp | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for prisoner of war brutality and violence

Details

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English Japanese Dutch Malay

Release Date:

11 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Estrada do Paraíso

Filming Locations:

Trinity Inlet, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$62,518, 13 April 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,921,471, 1 June 1997

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$960,000, 9 November 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samson Productions Pty. Ltd.,Planet Pictures,YTC Motion Picture Investments

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min 114 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in sequence.

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Goofs

Given that each of the women wore a single dress, day in and day out, in a tropical climate for three years straight, the fabric of their clothing would have disintegrated long before that was finally depicted in the film. Also, there's no way that the nuns would have been able to keep the white elements of their habits white, especially given the scarcity of soap.

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Quotes

Topsy Merritt: If I ever get out of this, I'll never say a word against New Jersey.
Rosemary Leighton-Jones: You'll never get out of this. None of us will ever leave Sumatra.

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Connections

Referenced in Film '72: Episode dated 1 December 1997 (1997)

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Soundtracks

Londonderry Air
Traditional

User Reviews

Moving moments - Put yourself in their place.

A little slow to start, but the plot picks up early in the film, and leaves you thinking about "What would you do in their position?" - not just the women internees, but also the Japanese Soldiers involved at the time. All are involved with their own emotions, as controlled from 'authorities' above them.

Based on a true event, you can watch this film and empathise with all of the characters (both 'Goodies' and 'Baddies'). You'll be left thinking very hard about the persons who 'did it' for real.

In the middle of the film, when the Vocal Orchestra perform Dvorak's "New World Symphony" without instruments, and at the end of the film, "Londonerry Air" (Oh Danny Boy), a box of tissues may be required accessories.