Castaway (film)

Castaway is a 1986 British biographical-drama film starring Amanda Donohoe and Oliver Reed, and directed by Nicolas Roeg. It was adapted from the eponymous 1984 book by Lucy Irvine, telling of her experiences of staying for a year with writer Gerald Kingsland on the isolated island of Tuin, between New Guinea and Australia.

For the 2000 film starring Tom Hanks, see Cast Away.

Castaway
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNicolas Roeg
Screenplay byAllan Scott
Based onCastaway
by Lucy Irvine
Produced byRick McCallum
Starring
CinematographyHarvey Harrison
Edited byTony Lawson
Music byStanley Myers and Hans Zimmer
Production
companies
Distributed byColumbia-Cannon-Warner Distributors[1]
Release date
  • 20 February 1986 (1986-02-20)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1 million (UK/US)

Real life inspiration

In 1981, Lucy Irvine responded to an advertisement placed by writer Gerald Kingsland, and they became self-imposed castaways for a year on the isolated and uninhabited island of Tuin, in the Torres Strait between New Guinea and Australia. Chosen by Kingsland from over 50 applicants, Irvine agreed to marry him to satisfy immigration restrictions before they travelled to Tuin. She was 25 years old, and he was 49. After a year, they returned home, and in 1983, she published her account of the experience in Castaway, which was later used as the basis for the 1986 film.[2]

In 2011, Donohoe recalled her experience working with Reed, stating: 'Well, naked on a desert island with Oliver Reed – it was a tabloid fantasy, wasn't it? He was an alcoholic and his behaviour was erratic, but he was always a courteous and good actor. His personal life wasn't working but he never crossed any lines professionally.'[3]

Soundtrack

The film opens with a song by English artist Kate Bush, "Be Kind to My Mistakes". A slightly edited version later appeared on the 1997 re-release of her album Hounds of Love. The soundtrack begins with a different version of the same song, which was also released as a 7-inch single. The rest of the soundtrack album is instrumental and composed by Stanley Myers. The soundtrack received a limited CD release in 2013.[4]

Cast

Reception

Box office

The film grossed £440,281 in the United Kingdom.[5] Including its gross from the United States, the film grossed over $1 million.

Critical response

The movie received a mixed reception from critics.[6][7][8][9] When Irvine met director Nicolas Roeg, he felt her story was perfect material for telling a relationship between an older man and a younger woman. It never was intended to be exactly like her experience, as Roeg felt Irvine would be too personally involved then. Irvine was positive about the film, stating she was pleased with Donohoe, Reed and Roeg.[10]

References
  1. "Castaway (1986)". BBFC. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. Lee, Luaine. "OLIVER REED: ONE AMONG MANY PRETENDERS". Chicago Tribune.
  3. "Donohoe discusses getting naked with Oliver Reed". GetSurrey. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. "Michael Kamen / Stanley Myers & Hans Zimmer – Mona Lisa (Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture) / Castaway (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". discogs.com. Zink Media, Inc. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  5. "Market profile: UK". Screen International. 7 May 1988. p. 334.
  6. Coto, Juan Carlos. "'CASTAWAY' PLOT LEAVES FILMGOERS SHIPWRECKED". The Sun-Sentinel.
  7. "MOVIE REVIEW : 'CASTAWAY' PUTS A ROMANTIC CLICHE INTO FOCUS". Los Angeles Times. 4 September 1987.
  8. Harmetz, Aljean (7 March 1986). "AT THE MOVIES". The New York Times.
  9. "SUDDENLY A FRENZY OF FALL FILMS". Los Angeles Times. 17 August 1987.
  10. Irvine, Lucy. "Lucy Irvine FAQ". Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2020.


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