A sensuous story of natural love.|Jul. 05, 1980|United States|104 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Drama;Romance
Description: The Blue Lagoon, a 1980 American romantic survival drama film, was directed by Randal Kleiser and written by Douglas Day Stewart, based on Henry De Vere Stacpoole’s 1908 novel of the same name. The film stars Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, with music by Basil Poledouris and cinematography by Néstor Almendros.
The story follows two young children, Richard and Emmeline, who become stranded on a tropical island in the South Pacific. As they grow up without societal guidance, they experience emotional and physical changes during puberty, leading to their falling in love. The film explores their journey of survival and self-discovery in an idyllic yet challenging environment.
Despite receiving harsh criticism for its screenplay, execution, and Shields’ performance, the film achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $58 million against a $4.5 million budget and ranking as the ninth-highest-grossing film of 1980 in North America. Almendros’ cinematography was praised, earning him an Academy Award nomination, while the film itself was nominated for a Saturn Award. Christopher Atkins received a Golden Globe nomination, and Shields won the inaugural Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress.
Set in the late Victorian period, the film begins with the children and a cook, Paddy Button, surviving a shipwreck and reaching the island. Paddy cares for them but warns against exploring certain areas and consuming poisonous berries. After Paddy’s death, the children venture to a new part of the island, where they rebuild their lives and face the challenges of adolescence and love.
Cast director: Randal Kleiser
Cast actor: Brooke Shields, Christopher Atkins, Leo McKern, William Daniels, Jeffrey Kleiser, Gus Mercurio, Elva Josephson, Glenn Kohan, Bradley Pryce, Chad Timmerman
Original name: The Blue Lagoon