Exit to Eden

Exit to Eden is the title of a novel by Anne Rice, originally published in 1985 under the pen name Anne Rampling. It is also the title of an American 1994 feature film based on the novel, directed by Garry Marshall and adapted to the screen by Deborah Amelon and Bob Brunner.

Related Topics:
Novel - Anne Rice - 1985 - Anne Rampling - American - 1994 - Feature film - Garry Marshall - Deborah Amelon - Bob Brunner

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Exit to Eden is notable in several ways. The novel explores the subject of BDSM in a romance novel form. The novel also brought attention to Anne Rice's published works that differed from the type of writing she was better known for (e.g. Interview with the Vampire which was also made into a feature film). Additionally, the film differed greatly from the book, with a new major story line and several new characters added.

Related Topics:
BDSM - Romance novel - Interview with the Vampire

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The novel features two main characters, Lisa Emerson and Elliot Slater. Emerson manages an isolated island resort called Eden that offers various ways for visitors to explore BDSM with each other, or with island employees called citizens. Slater is a citizen at the resort who eventually becomes romantically involved with Emerson.

Related Topics:
Island - Resort - BDSM

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The film partially utilized the story of the book, with Dana Delany playing Emerson, and Paul Mercurio playing Slater. However, half of the film consisted of a new comedic detective story line authored by the director. Several new characters were created, with Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell as police officers pursuing diamond thieves to the Eden resort. These characters then start to explore BDSM as well. New dialogue and scenes for the original characters were written to include them in the new story line.

Related Topics:
Dana Delany - Paul Mercurio - Comedic - Detective - Director - Dan Aykroyd - Rosie O'Donnell - Dialogue - Scenes

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The film garnered attention during its release because of the BDSM themes, and because of the high profiles of the director, the cast members, and the author. Promotional materials for the film included photos of Dana Delany in dominatrix attire, resulting in her being a popular inclusion on the early internet.

Related Topics:
Photos - Dominatrix - Internet

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One controversy for the film occurred when it was banned by the Saskatchewan Film and Video Classification Board. Critics were puzzled by the banning, as Saskatchewan was the only jurisdiction known to have kept the film out of theatres. After a brief media flurry, the Board repealed the ban.

Related Topics:
Banned - Saskatchewan Film and Video Classification Board - Saskatchewan

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Exit to Eden was released on VHS tape (NTSC) in 1995, and then on DVD (NTSC Region 1) in April 2002.

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