Critics received the film poorly according to Rotten Tomatoes, with a rating of only 17% based on 42 reviews.

Both critics and audiences favorably received the film.

Four reels of film were missing when Riefenstahl received the film, notably the scenes shot in Spain.

They did not receive the film positively and were concerned that there would not be an audience for the film.

Jim Henson received help editing the film from executive producer George Lucas.

While a few cinemas may have received the film in 1998, no commercial release of So Close to Paradise took place.

The producers said they received the film from people believed to have ties to Amal.

The quality of kiosk processing depends on the central lab receiving the film.

France, Germany, and Argentina received the film a year later, followed by Hungary in 2008.

Audiences on a whole, received the film enthusiastically, making it one of the "largest grossing pictures" of the postwar era.