Castaway (film) - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

Castaway is a 1986 adventure-drama film starring Amanda Donohoe and Oliver Reed, and directed by Nicolas Roeg. It was adapted from its namesake 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.

Real life inspiration

In 1980, Lucy Irvine responded to an advert 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 and Kingsland 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.

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."

Soundtrack

The film features 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.