While traveling with her mother Mrs. Lomax (Isabel Dean) in a cruise in the Virgin Island, the young Tina (Virginia Maskell) meets the treasure hunter and aspiring writer Evan (John Cassavetes) and they immediately fall in love with each other. Evan buys a small island and they get married and move to the place. Evan's friend Marcus (Sidney Poitier) helps the couple to build their house in the island until the day that they are completely broken. They receive an ice box from Mrs. Lomax but they do not have how to pay for the transportation; however Captain Jason (Edric Connor) tells that it would not be a problem provided they lighted a lamp every night to give directions to his boat. Soon Tina finds a box of champagne on the beach and they conclude that it might be a compliment from the captain. Out of the blue, a publishing house buys Evan's novel and they celebrate the received money. But they are also informed that Mrs. Lomax will visit them. She misses the comfort of a modern life and when the Commissioner (Colin Gordon) pays a visit to the couple, she speaks too much and tells the story of the lamp and the champagne. The Commissioner tells that he shall report the story to the British authorities and Tina and Evan will certainly lose their house. What will they do to keep their paradise on Earth?
"Virgin Island" is a naive but delightful romance and adventure. The feel-good story is appropriate for a matinée, and the dramatic part is shallow with the troubled situations easily resolved like in a fairytale. The chemistry between John Cassavetes and the lovely Virginia Maskell is impressive and Sidney Poitier has also an important participation in the role of a friend of the young couple. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Ilha do Pecado" ("The Sin Island")
