The Emerald Forest

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The Emerald Forest

R

1985

1h 53m

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

American Bill Markham (Powers Boothe) has taken his family to the jungles of Brazil, where he has been hired to design a dam. Unexpectedly, a native tribe abducts his son, Tommy (Charley Boorman). Bill spends an entire decade looking for Tommy, only to discover that the boy has adopted the ways of the indigenous people he's been living with. Bill tries to convince his son to return to his family, but their reunion is interrupted when another group of natives attacks Tommy's tribe.

David Robinson

The Times (UK)

04/05/2022

The mystery and menace of the wilderness excite John Boorman; and the suspense of the action is sustained through consistently fine images, in which the green forest light predominates.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

04/04/2022

This simplicity of expression, combined with Boorman's usual sophisticated visual technique, makes it a genuine oddity. But, whatever its faults, it looks glorious, tells a fascinating story and is a piece of sheer cinema you have to see.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

01/03/2018

This long, wheezy tribute to the Noble Savage has some pretty scenery, but not much else -- it's not a movie, it's a National Geographic special.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

12/26/2023

3/4

Here’s a “save the rainforest” film that succeeds so well as an adventure yarn and as a familial drama that one might forget about its pro-environmental slant until the closing text helpfully brings it back to the forefront.

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Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

09/29/2006

5/5

Emotionally gripping, visually stunning.

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

10/09/2005

2/5

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Priya F

12/03/2023

Magical. The movie has aged better than the trailer sounds like.

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03/15/2022

An inspired movie - it hasn't lost its relevance in 36+ years.

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05/28/2021

good thriller and an evertime hit

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01/29/2021

Some gorgeous cinematography, and is interesting for showing these natives beliefs and rituals. But I was just bored to tears. It felt like an adventure that should have moved with a lot more urgency, considering the subject matter.

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08/15/2020

The Emerald Forest is a beautiful film, both the story and the visual are ethereally poignant.

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09/05/2019

An interesting look at what we've lost in becoming modern people. Beautiful film.

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John Boorman

Director

Powers Boothe

Bill Markham

Charley Boorman

Tomme

Meg Foster

Jean Markham

William Rodriquez

Young Tommy

Yara Vaneau

Young Heather

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Synopsis

American Bill Markham (Powers Boothe) has taken his family to the jungles of Brazil, where he has been hired to design a dam. Unexpectedly, a native tribe abducts his son, Tommy (Charley Boorman). Bill spends an entire decade looking for Tommy, only to discover that the boy has adopted the ways of the indigenous people he's been living with. Bill tries to convince his son to return to his family, but their reunion is interrupted when another group of natives attacks Tommy's tribe.

Director: John Boorman
Producer: John Boorman, Michael Dryhurst
Production Co: Embassy Pictures, Christel Films
Rating: R
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Feb 6, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.0M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround