<P> The film is based on Wade Davis' non-fiction book of the same name - Davis had agreed to sell the rights for the book on the condition that Peter Weir would direct and Mel Gibson would star in the film . However, neither Weir or Gibson would be involved in the project . Wes Craven eventually signed on as the film's director . </P> <P> The Serpent and the Rainbow was filmed in Boston, Massachusetts, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and in Haiti . During production in Haiti, the local government informed the cast and crew that they could not guarantee their safety for the remainder of the film's shoot because of the political strife and civil turmoil that was occurring during that time; as a result, production was relocated to the Dominican Republic for the remainder of the shoot . </P> <P> In an interview, Craven stated that unlike his previous films that had problems with the Motion Picture Association of America, the first cut got an R rating without any problems . According to an article from Fangoria #71, the original cut was three hours long but Craven felt that it was too long and talky so it was cut down to 98 minutes . It was then test screened to the audience and their reactions were favorable . </P> <P> The Serpent and the Rainbow was released theatrically in the United States by Universal Pictures on February 5, 1988 . It grossed $19,595,031 at the box office . </P>

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