The Emerald Forest (1985)

After the son of engineer Bill Markham is abducted by an aboriginal tribe on the edge of the rain forest, the engineer spends the next 10 years searching for him.

Director:

John Boorman

Writer:

Rospo Pallenberg

Stars:

Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Yara Vaneau

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Powers Boothe	...	Bill Markham
Meg Foster	...	Jean Markham
Yara Vaneau	...	Young Heather
William Rodriguez	...	Young Tommy
Estee Chandler	...	Heather
Charley Boorman	...	Tomme
Dira Paes	...	Kachiri
Eduardo Conde	...	Uwe Werner
Ariel Coelho	...	Padre Leduc
Peter Marinker	...	Perreira
Mario Borges	...	Costa
Átila Iório	...	Trader (as Atilia Iorio)
Gabriel Archanjo	...	Trader's Henchman
Gracindo Júnior	...	Carlos (as Gracindo Junior)
Arthur Muhlenberg	...	Rico

Storyline

Based on a true story, Powers Boothe plays an American dam engineer in Brazil. Boothe's son (played by Charlie Boorman - son of director John Boorman) is kidnapped by a rain forest tribe, and raised as one of their own. Boothe continues to look for him and after many trials and adventures, stumbles upon him.

---

Plot Keywords:

downpour | hunt | native american culture | native language | tribe | 

---

Taglines:

The Adventure Movie of the Year.

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's first title card is not seen in the movie until about the ten minute mark.

---

Quotes

[forest is being destroyed to make way for a dam]
Mapi: They are tearing the skin off The World! How will she breathe?

---

Connections

Referenced in Nobody from Nowhere (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Maior Abandonado
Written by Frejat and Cazuza
Performed by Barão Vermelho

User Reviews

Excellent movie.

I actually grew up near the city of Belem, shown in the beginning of the movie, and spent 18 years in the region. I also spent time in many of the Indian tribes in the area, including being "adopted" into one at the age of five.

The movie does a great job of showing many aspects of life in the jungle, including some of the lawlessness. The costumes are fairly authentic, and portrayal of many tribal customs is well done. The manhood ceremony is closely based on authentic ceremonies that happen in most tribes.

Altogether, about as good as you can expect from something that is not intended to be a documentary.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

3 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Emerald Forest

Filming Locations:

Araguaia River, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,345,150, 7 July 1985

Gross USA:

$24,468,550

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,468,550

Company Credits

Production Co:

Christel Films, Embassy Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1