Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300147959
Format: NTSC
ISBN: 6300147959
Label: Nelson Entertainment
Manufacturer: Nelson Entertainment
Publication Date: 1989-12
Publisher: Nelson Entertainment
Studio: Nelson Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: 1985-07-03

John Boorman's 1985 South American epic never quite gets all of its gears working simultaneously, but it remains an often startling work with an extraordinary performance by the director's own son, Charley Boorman. Powers Boothe plays an American engineer working on a dam project in Brazil. When his young son is seemingly absorbed one day into the dense perils and beauty of the Amazon rain forest, Boothe's character goes on a protracted, 10-year search for him. In the interim, Boorman puts his full storytelling powers to work by characteristically exploring the arcane rhythms and dangers of an indigenous world hidden from ordinary view. Specifically, Boorman leads us into the life of a forest tribe who have assimilated the missing child and who will ultimately send him back with the opposite of his father's pro-development sensibility. The movie is gorgeous to behold, and it's great fun watching Boorman find ever-novel ways of making the same film again and again. But the environmental message and the emotion of the core relationship get in each other's way a bit, preventing the film from uniting on every front. Still, this is a must for Boorman fans. --Tom Keogh

Customer Rating:
Summary: staying power
Comment: Most movies aren't as good as I remember but this one truly is. I first saw it years ago on VHS. Recently ordered a DVD for my collection. I really hated to pause it. Very engrossing. Great music too. More than an adventure film, it's about family, spirituality, and desecration of the environment. The nudity is tasteful and natural. Ordered a second copy for a family member.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: We truly need a Blu Ray of this fine film
Comment: This is a truly great film on many levels- most of which have already been explored on prior reviews--
My main reason to add to the list is to encourage others to add their voices to requesting a Blu Ray of this fine film-- it is remarkably beautiful; To another end and amplifying on a prior comment, more information on the true Invisibles of the Rain Forest would most certainly be appreciated !

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Emeral Forest: An Amazonian Tale
Comment: Having recently seen Apocalypto, I thought I was seeing a remake. The Emerald Forest is an outstanding view of what may be happening to native tribes in our rain forests. But like Apocalypto, it reminds us that any contact between civilizations can be dangerous and destroy developing peoples. I would strongly invite anyone to see both these movies. They are not gentle to the heart, but they carry a strong message.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Useful in the search of indigenous identity
Comment: I've shown this film over and over to indigenous groups in Panama, as it conveys extremely well how the spiritual world of american indians is unknown to western-eurocentric cultures, and taught as "savage" or "un-civilized" to indians who end up convinced that their culture has no value. In a world where indians behold some of the keys to the planet's las chance of survival, this film is a good way to restore indigenous culture's place of honor.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: One of My All-Time Favorites!
Comment: I have loved this movie since it came out. I have yet to order the DVD, but will soon. I have trouble with anyone not seeing the value in this film. Yes, you have to suspend disbelief in order to "get" it. But it is a spectacularly beautiful movie with great acting and many messages for the human soul, including that we are so much more than our technology. I have never tired of watching it in all these years, and doubt that I will in the future. If you have a heart, love nature and believe in the human spirit, you will love this film!

---