West of Paradise

WEST OF PARADISE
1986
Producer: Michael Glynn
Director: David Cunliffe
CAST
Sam McBride - Art Malik
Sherry Fontaine - Alphonsia Emmanuel
Rene Rousso - Charles Kay
Charan Singh - Nadim Sawalha
Marianne - Debbie Bishop
Johnny Adela - Reginald Tsiboe
Carol Richardson - Amanda Garwood
Alan Richardson - Gary Cady
Paul Etienne - Jay Ruperelia
Armand Pillay - Alan Downer

Bess Dufrene - Julia Rose
Dr 'Papa' Labrosse - Andrew Jeremiah
Therese - Lisie Loze
Louis Tirant - Simon Bastienne
Nandi Youpa - Etienne Malbrook
Maurice - Geoff Martin
Gerard - Vel Veeramootoo
Norman Day - Richard Watts
Labrosse's Receptionist - Brenda Vielle
Shopkeeper - Sylvette Franchette

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL


BROCHURE

With thanks to Olive Bird for this copy of the official
West of Paradise Promotional Brochure.

Click on any page for larger version

PUBLICITY STILLS

I was amazed when these came up
for sale on e-Bay
YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film

YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film YTV Promotional Brochure for the film
VIEWING

TV TIMES FEATURE

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West of Paradise on DVD
West of Paradise screencap West of Paradise screencap

My copy of West of Paradise was taken from Michael Bird's own video recording made when the film was broadcast back in 1986. The tape has been transferred to DVD and it reproduces remarkably well (thankfully - since it is probably the only way anyone will get to see the film again.)

The DVD is 'region free' so it will play anywhere in the world.

It gave me great pleasure to be able to send a copy to the Seychelles to the family of Richard Watts, who played Norman "Happy" Day - the old beachcomber who stumbles on the gold cross in the opening sequence,
and to the current owner of the house where much of the film was shot.

As for any prospect of YTV releasing the film commercially ...
... see the FAQs page
TV Times entry for the film TV Times entry for the film TV Times entry for the film
TV Times entry for the film TV Times entry for the film TV Times entry for the film
INSPIRATION
Mike Butt and his lovely daughter, Nicola in 2011 The story behind the story

Website visitor Mike Butt's wife is Seychellois and they have two beautiful children. Mike is a regular visitor to the islands. I am grateful to him for the following information, which explains the story behind the story, and for the accompanying photographs. Mike says he is still seeking more film of the islands and would love to hear from anyone similarly interested. If you drop me an e-mail here at the MJB website I will happily pass it on to Mike.

Bel Ombre Heritage Site Bel Ombre Heritage Site Bel Ombre Heritage Site Mike tells me ...

Olivier le Vasseur was a pirate of the Indian Ocean who was hung at Reunion in 1730. The story goes that while on the gallows le Vasseur tossed a cryptogram into the crowd shouting “Find my Treasure he who can!"

Enter Reginald Cruise-Wilkins, who was ill in England and was advised to go to a warmer climate. He went first to Kenya, but caught malaria. He wanted to stay around that region and so he went to the Seychelles to convalesce, as it is ‘malaria safe’. There he met a Mrs Savy, who passed the Cryptogram over to him.

The hunt for the treasure started …………

Under Reg's direction several clues were found on rocks below the waterline. Financiers from the USA came and went. Sadly Reg died in 1977, when his son John inherited the mystery.

The search at the 'Bel Ombre' treasure site continues ...

Grave of Reginald Cruise-Wilkins Grave of Reginald Cruise-Wilkins Grave of Reginald Cruise-Wilkins
LOCATIONS

The owner of the house where much of the movie was filmed told me that her copy had been lost during house renovation and I was only too happy to send her a copy on DVD.

She says she remembers when they first moved in "every time the movie was shown on the local channel someone would phone to tell us our house was on TV. It was quite a kick I must admit! And my neighbours wanted to come and tour the house because they had seen it in the movie but never been there, as the previous owner was quite distant. So I made them happy and showed them the whole thing."

In return she sent me the photographs below of "parts of the house that are recogniseable from the movie, such as the bed, verandah steps, garden, in particular the ones of the bed - it's so distinctive!"

She finished by saying "the house has been our private holiday home for many years but in about 6 months, if all goes smoothly, the house will become a self catering house. My guests will love knowing they are staying in a house
that was used for a film set ..."
.

View the house "maison de Jardin" at http://www.maisondejardin-sey.com







TEST VIDEO

TEST LOCATIONS


Michael J Bird Tribute Website
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