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The Emerald Forest

Play trailer Poster for The Emerald Forest R 1985 1h 53m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

Critics Reviews

View All (19) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (208) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
The Emerald Forest

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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