'

The Man Without a Face

Play trailer

The Man Without a Face

PG-13

1993

1h 54m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Young Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) wants nothing more than to join a prestigious military academy like his late father, but he is wary of the school's lofty academic standards. With only a single summer in which to study for the entrance exam, Chuck finds an unlikely tutor in the form of Justin McLeod (Mel Gibson), a disfigured recluse who was once a teacher. McLeod agrees to teach Chuck, and the two form a deep friendship -- until Chuck learns of the secret behind McLeod's terrible scars.

Watch on Peacock

Stream Now

Adrian Martin

The Age (Australia)

Gibson handles ably, if not imaginatively, this cross between a typical episode of The Wonder Years and a hothouse family melodrama in the vein of The Prince of Tides.

Jul 27, 2023

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The Man Without a Face is such a noble, well-intentioned little film that one feels like an ogre picking on it. Alternately poky and melodramatic--and occasionally witty and insightful--the uneven screenplay too often strains credibility.

Mar 4, 2019

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

A tear-jerking triumph.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 16, 2024

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Stahl carries the film, with a fine performance balanced on the preadolescent cusp of spontaneity and craft. Once again, the story is about coming of age. Growing up, it seems, never goes out of fashion.

Oct 9, 2019

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

intriguing and involving

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

ARNI S

Wish we had more actors like Mel Gibson this is a great movie. His character is reminiscent of those great individuals. I'm remember as a child growing up in the 50's and 60's who performed in some great movies. Hollywood just doesn't seem to be able to make movies like this anymore. Gibson is one of the great ones in my book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

An enjoyable directorial debut for Mel Gibson that had a solid story and good acting from the rest of the cast.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

steve d

The acting is good but there isn't much here.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nothing I can really take out of this to the real world except not to stare at people that look different from the norm, it makes them feel like shit.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Gibson's directorial debut is both touching and sad. It rises above being a melodrama with 2 great performances in the central roles. A film that will pleasantly surprise viewers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty good movie. As a whole, the story feels pretty generic and formulaic, but thanks to some heartwarming moments and great performances from is cast, especially Stahl's debut performance and Gibson (in his directorial debut), it redeems itself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Mel Gibson

Director

Mel Gibson

Justin McLeod

Nick Stahl

Charles E. "Chuck" Norstadt

Margaret Whitton

Catherine Palin

Fay Masterson

Gloria Norstadt

Gaby Hoffmann

Megan Norstadt

A Perfect World

78%

84%

A Perfect World

Watchlist

School Ties

60%

69%

School Ties

Watchlist

Wrestling Ernest Hemingway

62%

69%

Wrestling Ernest Hemingway

Watchlist

Of Mice and Men

97%

82%

Of Mice and Men

Watchlist

My Life

44%

74%

My Life

Watchlist

TRAILER

for My Life

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critical Consensus: "Apocalypto" Is Bloody Good; "Blood Diamond" Needs Polish; "Unaccompanied" Is Minor; "Holiday" Is So-So

"White Noise 2" Set Visit: Katee Sackhoff Talks "Battlestar," "The Last Sentinel," and "Indy 4"

View more photos

Synopsis

Young Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) wants nothing more than to join a prestigious military academy like his late father, but he is wary of the school's lofty academic standards. With only a single summer in which to study for the entrance exam, Chuck finds an unlikely tutor in the form of Justin McLeod (Mel Gibson), a disfigured recluse who was once a teacher. McLeod agrees to teach Chuck, and the two form a deep friendship -- until Chuck learns of the secret behind McLeod's terrible scars.

Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Bruce Davey
Screenwriter: Isabelle Holland, Malcolm MacRury
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now