Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Prisoner of Paradise Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 17, 2018

1980’s “Prisoner of Paradise” is a castaway movie that eventually evolves into what many call the “Naziploitation” genre. It’s an uncomfortable mix of tonal speeds, but directors Bob Chinn and Gail Palmer don’t have much to work with here, scrambling to find ways to pad a picture that’s far too aimless to score major reactions. A WWII story told with a limited budget, “Prisoner of Paradise” endeavors to explore survival challenges, approach the topic of grief, and stage numerous “torture” sequences where nude Nazis forcibly seduce their prisoners in the middle of nowhere. If it reads like a good time, it really should’ve been, but the production invests in extensive island wandering before it ends up anywhere of interest, trying to pass itself off as reflective cinema when it should be focusing exclusively on salacious encounters.

Washing up on a South Pacific island during WWII, Joe (John Holmes) has managed to survive a devastating bombing, now left with nothing as he tries to find a way to live in the middle of nowhere. However, Joe is not as alone in the jungle as he initially believes, soon discovering a Nazi camp run by the villainous Hans (Elmo Lavino), joined by officers Ilsa (Seka) and Greta (Sue Carol). Witnessing the Nazis use sexual torture as a way of engaging their prisoners, Joe decides to intervene, hoping to rescue those in need, only to get caught up in Hans’s sick games of pleasure and domination.

It takes a long time for anything of note to happen in “Prisoner of Paradise.” The main titles eat up nearly five minutes of screentime, and it’s another 20 minutes before Joe discovers secret Nazi rule on the island. Backstory is provided through flashbacks, with Joe still recovering from the death of his Chinese lover, having promised her a future only to leave her during an air raid, unable to protect his beloved. The rest of the first act observes Joe cleaning himself, looking for food, and staring into sunsets. It’s not the most exciting way to start an adult film, but Chinn and Palmer are trying to craft something more meaningful for roughly 30 minutes, before the Nazis pop into view.

Instead of being tasteless, “Prisoner of Paradise” is ridiculous when it comes to Nazi activity, making Hans a cartoon antagonist, ordering his subordinates to bring prisoners to full submission via sex, giving the production chances to sneak in some weirdly lukewarm hardcore action. Joe in rescue mode isn’t much better, lacking the flashy qualities of the Germans and their strange ways of maintaining island control. But hey, at least something’s happening, as “Prisoner of Paradise” has a noticeable reluctance to cook up anything of true excitement. Even violent confrontations lack snap.

Prisoner of Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation does well with jungle hues, giving greenery a nice push as the movie visits waterfalls and grasslands. Costuming retains striking colors, with blazing Nazi gear and tattered prisoner attire. Flags are clear and defined. Skintones are natural. Detail is strong, capturing weathered looks and sinister glares from the villains, and body particulars are textured throughout. Distances retain depth, reaching out to the horizon during castaway travels. Delineation isn't challenged, with the overall effort brightly lit. There are no major source issues, with minor speckling and scratches detected.

Prisoner of Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Hiss carries throughout the 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, which doesn't hamper the listening event, but with silence a major component of the opening act, it's noticeable. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, finding delivery of shouted orders coming through clearly, while more hushed romantic exchanges struggle for definition. Scoring efforts are comfortably supportive, with agreeable instrumentation and volume. Sound effects are dialed up to deliver passable torpedo and bomb explosions, and gunfire retains sharper bangs.

Prisoner of Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Prisoner of Paradise Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Prisoner of Paradise" has no money to become a real period piece, with Chinn and Palmer employing random stock footage to create war zones. The rest is mostly conversational and easily distracted, in need of a real jolt to bring energy to sex scenes and perversion to the rest of the effort. There's not much exploitation here, and to take any of this seriously will only lead to disappointment.