The Emerald Forest

R

1985

1h 53m

Adventure

List

84%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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David Robinson

Times (UK)

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.

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

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.

Apr 4, 2022

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

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.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 26, 2023

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Emotionally gripping, visually stunning.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 29, 2006

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

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Priya F

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good thriller and an evertime hit

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/21

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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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
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