Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- atmospheric
- adventurous
- emotional
- rainy day
- adventure movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s atmospheric rainforest cinematography, compelling adventure story, and visual sophistication while noting its simplistic and romanticized treatment of indigenous culture.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bill Markham spends years searching the Amazon for his kidnapped son Tomme.
The dam project threatens the rainforest and the communities living within it.
The Amazon rainforest is central to the film’s imagery, action, and sense of danger.
Tomme is raised by the Invisible People while remaining connected to his biological family and Bill’s world.
Films like The Emerald Forest, and why
Medicine Man
shared rainforest adventure, cross-cultural encounter, and environmental themes
A Man Called Horse
shared parent-child separation, indigenous community, and survival adventure
The Last Wave
shared child-centered wilderness adventure and conflict between modern society and nature
The Mission
shared atmospheric expedition drama and critique of colonial attitudes toward indigenous cultures
Movie Details
- Director
- John Boorman
- Release Date
- 1985-06-22
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (286)
Cast
- Powers Boothe
- Charley Boorman
- Meg Foster
- Estee Chandler
- Dira Paes
- Eduardo Conde
- Ariel Coelho
- Peter Marinker
- Mario Borges
- Yara Vaneau
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Emerald Forest about?
- A relentless father searches the Amazon for the son taken from him, confronting a clash between industrial modernity and rainforest life.
- What is The Emerald Forest like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Emerald Forest as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Emerald Forest violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Emerald Forest as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Emerald Forest?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s atmospheric rainforest cinematography, compelling adventure story, and visual sophistication while noting its simplistic and romanticized treatment of indigenous culture.
- Which films are like The Emerald Forest?
- Films with a similar feel include Medicine Man, A Man Called Horse, The Last Wave, and The Mission.
- How long is The Emerald Forest?
- The Emerald Forest runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Emerald Forest?
- In United States, The Emerald Forest streams on ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
