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Paradise Road
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Synopsis
Based on the testimony of survivors, this historical drama recounts the WWII heroism of female prisoners of war. (Glenn Close) stars as Adrienne Partiger, a society doyenne who flees Singapore with other expatriate women, mostly the wives of servicemen, when Japanese forces invade in 1942. When their gunboat is sunk in an air attack, the survivors wash ashore on Japanese-held Sumatra. The women are interned in a grim POW camp where punishments for even minor infractions are extreme. With the help of a missionary (Pauline Collins), Partiger corrals the women, including a tough American (Julianna Margulies), an Australian nurse (Cate Blanchett) and a young wife (Jennifer Ehle) into a musical group. Since singing is not allowed, the a cappella chorus dubs itself "a vocal orchestra" and is tolerated -- if barely -- by their Japanese captors. Though living conditions are squalid, food is scarce, and a thin sliver of soap inspires a shower brawl, the music keeps spirits uplifted and a Jewish-German doctor (Frances McDormand) provides some medical aid. Writer-director Bruce Beresford interviewed real-life participants in similar POW musical groups. Some provided, from memory, sheet music of the pieces they performed, which were used in the film. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Cast

Glenn Close Adrienne Pargiter
Pauline Collins Margaret Drummond
Julianna Margulies Topsy Merritt
Frances McDormand Dr. Verstak
Elizabeth Spriggs Mrs. Roberts
Cate Blanchett Susan McCarthy
Jennifer Ehle Rosemary Leighton-Jones

Production Crew

Ian Gracie Art Director
Alison Barrett Casting
Joseph Middleton Casting
Patsy Pollock Casting
Peter James Cinematographer
Ross Edwards Composer (Music Score)
Terry Ryan Costume Designer
Bruce Beresford Director
Tim Wellburn Editor
Andrew Yap Executive Producer
Graham Burke Executive Producer
Colin Fletcher First Assistant Director
Gregory Coote Producer
Sue Milliken Producer
Herbert Pinter Production Designer
David Giles Screen Story
Martin Meader Screen Story
Bruce Beresford Screenwriter
Brian Edmonds Set Designer
Gary Wilkins Sound/Sound Designer
Brian Cox Special Effects
Year: 1997
Runtime: 115
Country: Australia
MPAA Rating: R
for prisoner of war brutality and violence
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Sound
Dolby

Produced by
Fox Searchlight
Village Roadshow Pictures