Rosamunde Pilcher production ‘Snakes In Paradise’

5th May 2015

‘Snakes is Paradise’ is a 90 minute drama based on a love story between two veterinary workers, adapted from a novel by Cornish novelist Rosamunde Pilcher. Broadcasted in Germany where there is a big fan base for the films.

Staff David and Sarah with actor Wil Coleman

One of the rooms was turned into a main Cornwall Zoo office

Much of the filming took place at Paradise Park September 2012 and used Glanmor House which is at the centre of the Park as the ‘Zoo Office’ in the film. Several Keepers acted as extras when filming of the Red Pandas, Burmese Python and Rainbow Lorikeets took place. The Reynolds family who have owned and run Paradise Park since 1973 agreed that all the furniture, including a grand piano, could be removed to enable filming to take place inside the house. Lighting, signage and film crew moved in for four days while staff and visitors watched another classic episode in the making.

Park Director Alison Hales said “We were intrigued to find out how all the elements of a production like this would be put together, and a bit alarmed when so many people, vehicles and kit turned up. But all the film crew and actors were really good, following our instructions on how to behave around the birds and animals to the letter. They worked long hours including filming several scenes at night.”

“It was not long before we had our first Rosamunde Pilcher fans from Germany, who came to see the setting of this episode.”

Rosamunde Pilcher filming script at Paradise Park Cornwall

Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher filming at Paradise Park Cornwall

The production company FFP New Media has film rights for the best-selling author Rosamunde Pilcher. These romantic love stories, all filmed in Cornwall, have enjoyed huge popularity since the first production in 1993, with average viewing figures of 6 million. To date over 70 have been made, shot in beautiful and dramatic Cornish countryside with well-known German casts, making this format one of the most popular and long-lasting in German television history.

Snakes In Paradise: Written by: Sonja Pauli | Director Heidi Kranz | Camera: Marc Prill
Cast: Muriel Baumeister, Uschi Glas, Max Urlacher, Ralf Lindermann, Gabriel Raab, Anna Julia Kapfelsperger, Wil Coleman