Passion And Paradise (1989)

The luridly titled PASSION AND PARADISE is based on one of the most fascinating unsolved murders in Caribbean history (which was also used as the basis of Nicholas Roeg‘s EUREKA), that of Sir Harry Oakes in the Bahamas during WWII. A self made millionaire, Sir Harry Oakes (Rod Steiger), vigorously opposes both legalized gambling and the building of tourist resorts in his adopted home of the Bahamas. He also objects to his “ladies man” son in law (Armand Assante). When Sir Harry is found brutally murdered (he’s beaten to death, then set on fire), it’s his son in law who is arrested and tried for his murder. The film takes enormous liberties and license with the facts, even implicating the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as mobster Lucky Luciano, in the scandal. Since the murder was never solved, the film is given a ludicrous hypothetical ending. Surely the real story is fascinating enough without the fabrications. Except for Steiger and Mariette Hartley as his wife, the acting is pretty lousy especially the dull Catherine Mary Stewart as the daughter. Michael Sarrazin, Wayne Rogers and Kevin McCarthy co-star.