Where Was The Blue Lagoon Filmed? We are here to provide all The Blue Lagoon Filming Locations- In ‘The Blue Lagoon,’ Randal Kleiser’s bizarre return to a hetero-normative paradise evokes a nostalgic nostalgia for a bygone era of hippie naturalism. The 1980 cultural artefact starts off with a B-movie atmosphere, but towards the conclusion, it’s more at home in the mushy and exhilarating Disney romance zone, but with nuance. The plot centres around Richard and Emmeline, two cousins who were stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere on their trip to San Francisco, and is based on Henry De Vere Stacpoole’s 1908 novel.
The cousins grow older and closer as Paddy Buttons, their guardian and mentor, departs on a barrel. The film sparked much debate among reviewers due to its casting choices, although it is regarded as a cult classic in countries such as Romania and Brazil. The film’s gorgeous locations and outstanding photography, combined with an eerily feel-good score, are probably the most treasured takeaways. However, you may be curious as to where the film was shot, and if that is the case, allow us to take you to the secret utopias.
The Blue Lagoon Filming Locations
The filming of ‘The Blue Lagoon’ took place in and around Fiji, Malta, and Vanuatu, particularly on the little island of Nanuya Levu. Because the film was a labour of love for filmmaker Randal Kleiser, he went to great lengths to make the setting sparkle. As director of photography, Nestor Almendros of ‘Days of Heaven’ and ‘Sophie’s Choice’ renown joined the crew. At the same time, the bulk of the art direction was handled by Jon Dowding, the famed art director of ‘Mad Max.’ For the manufacturing, two ships were used.
The first was Eye of the Wind, a brigantine built in 1911 as a topsail schooner named Friedrich in a shipyard in Brake, Germany. Friedrich was relocated to Faversham, England, after being destroyed in a fire in 1969, and renamed after Sir Peter Scott’s 1961 book. When they summoned the boat crew, the second one, ‘The Golden Plover,’ another last great tall ship in the world, was stationed in Australia. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair and was sold in 2011 for the price of used wood. Let us now take you to the locations where the film was shot!
Nanuya Levu Island, Fiji
Paddy, Richard, and Emmeline awaken in front of an island, and the majority of the film was shot on a remote Pacific Ocean island called Fiji. The people of Nanuya Levu was the first to greet the director and his team when they arrived on their small island. The Yasawa Group presently owns the island, which is home to the secluded Turtle Island Resort. The island has also been dubbed Turtle Island, which has caused some consternation.
The cast and crew stayed on the island for a long time because it was still in perfect condition when they arrived. The film’s flora and animals depict a vast range of species from around the world, including some that have yet to be discovered. Biologists had never heard of the iguana species filmed by the videographer. John Gibbons, a reptile expert, visited the island and discovered the iguana, which he named the Fiji crested iguana. In the same Fiji archipelago, the camera crew also stayed in the tranquil settlements of Naisisili and Matathawalevu.
Comino Island, Malta
The actors and crew also travelled to Malta to film some early scenes for the film. Malta, a central Mediterranean island republic, has a lengthy history of successors, including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French, and British. Camino, a little island tucked away in the Maltese archipelago, was visited by the cast and crew. Some scenes were shot on the island, which was originally known as Ephaestia.
Champagne Bay, Vanuatu
Perhaps scenes were shot in Vanuatu by a second unit production team. Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia encircle the archipelago, which is located in the Pacific’s heart. On the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, filming began on Champagne Bay, a bay located on the north east coast of the island. Kathy Troutt, the stunt coordinator, did all the nude scenes because Brooke Shields, the movie’s actress, was just 14 years old at the time. Shields’ hair was plastered to her breasts when she had to execute a couple topless scenes. On the other hand, Atkins was of legal consent age and performed the majority of the nudist sequences himself.