Watch The Emerald Forest

The Emerald Forest is a gripping and visually stunning adventure film that follows the harrowing journey of young American boy, Tommy, who is lost in the Amazon rainforest after his father, Bill Markham, a successful engineer, goes to work on a project in Brazil. Tommy is taken in by a tribe of Indigenous people, the Invisible People. The movie tells of his rescue by his father after many years have elapsed, in which Tommy has become fully immersed in the tribe's ways, culture and language.

Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to a fascinating and complex world that is both beautiful and dangerous. The lush rainforest is rich with vibrant colors and teeming with life, but it quickly becomes apparent that it is also home to many dangers, including deadly snakes, vicious predators, and hostile tribes.

The film's central theme revolves around the conflict between the modern world and traditional Indigenous ways of life. Tommy's father, Bill, represents the modern world, with all its technology and industry, while the Invisible People represent a way of life that has remained relatively unchanged for centuries.

As the story progresses, viewers witness the clash between these two worlds, as Bill desperately searches for his son and attempts to bring him back to the modern world. Along the way, he encounters a host of challenges and obstacles, including resistance from the Invisible People, who are understandably wary of outsiders and the dangers they bring.

One of the most captivating aspects of the film is the portrayal of Indigenous culture and the way of life of the Invisible People. We see the tribe's deep connection to their surroundings, their sophisticated understanding of the natural world, and the importance of community and ritual. The movie also explores the complex and nuanced relationship between the Invisible People and outsiders, highlighting the fraught history of colonization and exploitation that has plagued many Indigenous communities around the world.

Throughout the film, the performances of Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, and Yara Vaneau are outstanding. Boothe brings a perfect mixture of grit and determination to his role, while Foster's performance as a concerned mother adds a touch of empathy and emotional depth to the story. Yara Vaneau brings a sense of both innocence and wisdom to her portrayal of Tommy's adopted sister, Kachiri.

The Emerald Forest is an excellent example of the adventure genre, combining stunning visuals, gripping action, and thought-provoking themes to create an unforgettable viewing experience. It offers a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures and protecting the natural world from the destructive forces of modernity.

The Emerald Forest is a 1985 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.