Paradise Road
Seen it?1997 | 122 min | War, Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (43% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved The Great Escape or Empire of the Sun, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
A group of English, American, Dutch and Australian women creates a vocal orchestra while being imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp on Sumatra during World War II.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10 from opening-week audiences
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$19 million worldwide on a $16 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 52K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bruce Beresford
- Glenn CloseAdrienne Pargiter
- Frances McDormandDr. Verstak
- Pauline CollinsDaisy 'Margaret' Drummond
- Cate BlanchettSusan Macarthy
- Julianna MarguliesTopsy Merritt
- Jennifer EhleRosemary Leighton-Jones
- Wendy HughesMrs. Dickson
- Johanna ter SteegeSister Wilhelminia
- Elizabeth SpriggsMrs. Roberts
- Pamela RabeMrs. Tippler