Where the River Runs Black (1986)An orphaned boy who was raised in the Amazon jungle is brought back to civilization by a priest who knows his father. Director:Christopher Cain |
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Where the River Runs Black (1986)An orphaned boy who was raised in the Amazon jungle is brought back to civilization by a priest who knows his father. Director:Christopher Cain |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Charles Durning | ... |
Father O'Reilly
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Alessandro Rabelo | ... |
Lazaro
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| Ajay Naidu | ... |
Segundo
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Divana Brandão | ... |
Eagle Woman
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| Peter Horton | ... |
Father Mahoney
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| Castulo Guerra | ... |
Orlando Santos
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| Conchata Ferrell | ... |
Mother Marta
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| Dana Delany | ... |
Sister Ana
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Chico Díaz | ... |
Raimundo
(as Chico Diaz)
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Marcelo Rabelo | ... |
Lazaro - 4 Years Old
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Ariel Coelho | ... |
Francisco
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Paulo Sergio Oliveira | ... |
Jose
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Mario Borges | ... |
Brother Carlos
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François Thijm | ... |
Luis
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Geraldo Salles | ... |
Priest in Confessional
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Father O'Reilly, an older priest, tells the story of Father Mahoney, Eagle Woman, and their son Lazaro. It's magic realism in the Amazon. Mahoney is a radical priest who ventures upstream where the river runs black. He encounters the beautiful and enchanting Eagle Woman, who can change from a dolphin to a woman. A few years later, their child Lazaro witnesses inter-loping gold prospectors commit a brutal and traumatizing murder. He goes to the city in Father O'Reilly's care, and there he sees the murderer, who's a politician. Lazaro seeks revenge, which puts him in further danger. He runs back into the jungle, where the dolphins may be his best hope for help. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
I was fourteen years of age when I first saw this film. For me, the experience was magical. I didn't know what this film had that created an aura of mysteriousness and intrigue, but I remember seeing it again a few years later and looking everywhere to purchase a copy.
The young boy, Lazarus, has an affinity with the dolphins of the Amazon jungle and it is wonderfully captured in the screenplay. As young actors go, this boy is wonderful as Lazarus. His expressions are true to life and the scenes where he is brought from the wild to adapt to civilisation are naturally brought out. The scene where he is mischievous with his orphan friend under the water tap captures the magical experience of childhood.
The scene where his father rows quietly along the river makes you feel as if you're in the boat with him.
I think you need to watch this film two or three times to fully appreciate the story it is telling.