The Emerald Forest

The Emerald Forest (1985)

  • 87% of critics liked it
    (15 reviews)

  • 72% of users liked it
    (5,337 ratings)

The Emerald Forest is based on a true story, as related by Los Angeles Times correspondent Leonard Greenwood. Powers Boothe stars as Bill Markham, a US engineer working on a dam project in the Amazonian jungles. Bill's young son, Tomme (played by director John Boorman's son Charley Boorman) is… More

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R, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By
John Boorman
Written By
Rospo Pallenberg
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International
In Theaters
Jan 1, 2003 Wide
On DVD
Feb 6, 2001
Nelson Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

    Emotionally gripping, visually stunning.

  • Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

    Conveys the ancient wisdom of the primitives who relish dream time and have found a way to dignify the different stages of life with meaningful rituals

  • Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

    Just as he did with the British countryside in EXCALIBUR, Boorman gives the deep jungles of South America an almost dreamlike, magical quality

  • Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

    The execution is a little sedate, but the idea sticks with you.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    John Boorman ought to be ashamed

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Pierluigi P


    There was this quiet and more cohesive film from John Boorman long before the mediocre pastiche and box office sensation of "Avatar". Adventure and drama set in the amazonia, following the lines of Ford's "The Searchers" but adding an ecological denounce that… More

  • Tom E


    This is what happens when the Amazon forest is destroyed

  • xGary X


    Powerful, beautifully shot eco-thriller from John Boorman examining the cultural impact of the commercial exploitation of the rainforests, as seen through the eyes of a boy adopted by an indigenous tribe. Great performances and intelligent eco-message that rarely feels preachy. Good… More

  • Donna D


    Another of John Boorman. His son Charlie Boorman is amazing as the lost son of an architect that is stolen by a hidden Amazon trible. Great movie and great story with amazing graphics and intrigue.

  • Moe E


    I was blown away by the beauty of the Amazon as depicted in this movie. Excellent performance from Powers Booth as a father looking for his son, Tommy, who was abducted by the people of the jungle at an early age.

Cast

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Trailers & Clips

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