The Man Without a Face (1993)

Chuck wants to leave home but can't make the grade for boarding school. Then he finds out the disfigured recluse living nearby is an ex-teacher.

Director:

Mel Gibson

Writers:

Isabelle Holland (novel), Malcolm MacRury (screenplay)

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl, Margaret Whitton

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Justin McLeod
Nick Stahl	...	Charles E. 'Chuck' Norstadt
Margaret Whitton	...	Catherine Palin
Fay Masterson	...	Gloria Norstadt
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Megan Norstadt
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Chief Wayne Stark
Richard Masur	...	Prof. Carl Hartley
Michael DeLuise	...	Douglas Hall, Gloria's Boyfriend
Ethan Phillips	...	Todd Lansing
Jean De Baer	...	Mrs. Lansing
Jack De Mave	...	Mr. Cooper
Viva	...	Mrs. Cooper
Justin Kanew	...	Rob Lansing
Sean Kellman	...	David Taylor-Fife
Chris Lineburg	...	Scott Pearson

Storyline

The story of a relationship between a teacher and his troubled pupil. Justin McLeod is a former teacher who lives as a recluse on the edge of town. His face is disfigured from an automobile accident and fire ten years before in which a boy was incinerated and for which he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He is also suspected of being a pedophile. He is befriended by Chuck, igniting the town's suspicion and hostility. McLeod instills in his protégé a love of justice and freedom from prejudice which sustains Chuck beyond the end of the film.

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Plot Keywords:

directorial debut | disfigured face | directed by star | coming of age | disfigurement | 

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Taglines:

A fatherless boy had almost given up all his dreams... until one man believed in him enough to make them come true.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature subject matter

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jeff Bridges was considered for the role of Justin McLeod.

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Goofs

When Chuck is dressing for his practice exam, the first shot of him in front of the mirror he ties his tie up to the collar. In the next shot he is fixing his hair and you can see that the tie is not tied to the top of the collar.

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Quotes

Justin McLeod: I like privacy.
Chuck Norstadt: Yeah, well, um, what about living alone? Do you like that?
Justin McLeod: It likes me.
Chuck Norstadt: What do you mean?
Justin McLeod: I've become a proper fairy-tale troll here, Norstadt. Tourist board ought to pay me.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: The Man Without a Face (1994)

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Soundtracks

MOON RIVER
Written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini
Performed by Andy Williams
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arragement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Great film about true friendship

This movie is in my eyes an outstanding example of what films should be like. Nick Stahl and Mel Gibson show their immense ability to act in such a convincing way that this movie can be quoted as the movie with the most impressive story of true, honest and deep friendship. Nowadays, films are often judged concerning the special effects and the action, and classic movies slowly diminish. This film is unique because of the simple fact that the number of movies dealing with a topic like that, a topic that requires the knowledge of classic acting, unfortunately goes down.

Nick Stahl, whom I haven't known before, and who is allegedly in the cast of Terminator 3, acts impressive and convincing. It doesn't happen often, but I was moved to tears, for the true friendship between Norstadt and his teacher gives the audience the message that real friendship, the belief in the future and your own self-confidence can help you to solve every problem.

Congratulations to Mel Gibson and Nick Stahl, movies like this one, carrying such a pure message of life, preserve the issue of classic films: Move the audience, give them something to think about..... and let them feel the magic of films like this one. Watch this movie, and you'll know how to define friendship. Greetings from Austria to all imdb.com users!!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man Without a Face

Filming Locations:

Maine, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,026,775, 29 August 1993

Gross USA:

$24,760,338

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$24,760,338

Company Credits

Production Co:

Icon Entertainment International, Icon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1