Paradise Road 1997

Paradise Road

Critics Consensus

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45%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 22

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,611

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Paradise Road Photos

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Movie Info

A group of foreign women -- including an educated British musician (Glenn Close), an Australian nurse (Cate Blanchett) and an American socialite (Julianna Margulies) -- leave Singapore during World War II. When their boat is attacked, they wash up in Japanese-occupied Sumatra and end up in a POW camp. Conditions there are grim, with prisoners brutally punished for minor violations. But the captives soon decide to form a singing group that just may lift these very different women out of misery.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Bruce Beresford
  • Producer:
    Greg Coote, Sue Milliken
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $1.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Village Roadshow Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Glenn Close
Adrienne Pargiter
Pauline Collins
Daisy 'Margaret' Drummond
Cate Blanchett
Susan Macarthy
Frances McDormand
Dr. Verstak
Julianna Margulies
Topsy Merritt
Jennifer Ehle
Rosemary Leighton-Jones
Elizabeth Spriggs
Mrs. Roberts
Tessa Humphries
Celia Roberts
Susie Porter
Oggi
Sab Shimono
Colonel Hirota
Bruce Beresford
Director
David Giles
Writer
Martin Meader
Writer
Bruce Beresford
Writer
Betty Jeffrey
Writer
Graham Burke
Executive Producer
Greg Coote
Producer
Andrew Yap
Executive Producer
Sue Milliken
Producer
Noel Coward
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for Paradise Road

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (12)

View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for Paradise Road

  • Apr 01, 2011
    An excellent recounting of the horror of surviving a Japanese prisoner of war camp during WWII, that put this viewer in mind of "Playing For Time". Glenn Close plays Adrienne Pargiter, the wife of a British diplomat, who becomes the de facto leader of the women incarcerated on Sumatra. Joining her is a marvelous cast, including Frances McDormand (Dr Verstak), Cate Blanchett (Susan McCarthy), Julianna Marguiles (Topsy Merritt), and Pauline Collins (Margaret Drummond). Together, they face the brutality of their captors with dignity and courage and manage to put together a vocal orchestra and present classical music with only their voices. When they begin to sing, I defy the viewing audience to remain dry-eyed! A testament to the strength of the human spirit under the harshest conditions imaginable.
    Mark A Super Reviewer
  • Apr 03, 2009
    How can you give this film anything but 5 Stars. If there is one thing I enjoy about any movie, is the fact that I learned something from it. It is ashamed that it takes 50 years to learn the secrets of a War. There seems to be more and more movies coming out that tell us of these hidden secrets. This is based on a true story. I had no idea that women were held prisoner of war during World War II. All the actors were outstanding. The Human Vocal band was out of this world. And as many captives will tell you, you must band together and work on something to keep your mind from whets really happening. This is a must see and a must add to the collection. 5 stars.
    Bruce B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2008
    At times, the grueling pageant of torture and abuse became a bit much for me. Still, Paradise Road is a triumphant celebration of the human spirit in the face of suffering.
    Robert F Super Reviewer
  • Jan 10, 2007
    My husband and I both liked this movie about women in a Japanese prison camp.
    Ida K Super Reviewer
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