At the time, the film was condemned by critics like Roger Ebert, who called it a “slick fantasy” but noted the troubling age gap and the voyeuristic nature of the camera. Some religious and conservative groups labeled it soft-core child pornography, while Shields herself later expressed discomfort with how her body was filmed.
In the summer of 1980, a film premiered that would become one of the most talked-about, controversial, and visually stunning movies of its decade. The Blue Lagoon , directed by Randal Kleiser (fresh off the success of Grease ), transported audiences to a lush, forbidden paradise. It was a survival story, a coming-of-age drama, and a bold exploration of first love—all wrapped in a gauzy, romantic filter that felt like a fever dream. the blue lagoon 1980
What follows is not a typical horror-survival story. Instead of fighting monsters, Richard and Emmeline grow up in a natural paradise. They learn to fish, climb for coconuts, and swim in a bioluminescent lagoon. As they enter adolescence (played as teenagers by and Brooke Shields ), their innocent friendship slowly blossoms into a confusing, powerful sexual awakening. At the time, the film was condemned by
Just don’t forget the sunscreen. That tropical sun is brutal. ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – A flawed masterpiece of style over substance, but an unforgettable piece of cinema history. The Blue Lagoon , directed by Randal Kleiser
While the film earned mixed reviews at the time, its legacy as a cultural touchstone has only grown. Let’s dive back into the turquoise waters of this unforgettable classic. The story begins in the Victorian era. Two young cousins, Richard (played as a child by Glenn Kohan) and Emmeline (Elva Josephson), survive a ship fire in the South Pacific. They wash ashore on a remote, idyllic tropical island with only a sailor’s survival guide and a baby named Paddy. When the sailor eventually sails off for help and never returns, the two children are left completely alone.
However, others defended the film as a non-exploitative study of natural human development. Director Randal Kleiser insisted that all nude scenes were shot on a closed set with a female producer present and that Shields used a body double for a few shots. The MPAA gave the film an R rating, and it became a massive box office hit, grossing over $58 million on a $4.5 million budget. Let’s be honest: many people watch The Blue Lagoon for the scenery. The film was shot on location in Fiji and on the Nanuku Islands (with additional studio work in Jamaica). The cinematography by Néstor Almendros (who won an Oscar for Days of Heaven ) is breathtaking.
Every frame drips with golden sunlight, emerald jungle, and water so clear you can see the fish. The titular lagoon—with its glowing, phosphorescent water at night—creates a magical realism that elevates the film beyond a simple survival drama. This is not a harsh, realistic island like in Cast Away ; it’s a dream of a island, a Garden of Eden before the fall. The Blue Lagoon has aged into a fascinating artifact. Modern audiences often find the premise uncomfortable, and the acting can feel wooden. The 1991 sequel ( Return to the Blue Lagoon with Milla Jovovich) failed to recapture the magic, and a 2012 Lifetime remake was universally panned.