Where the River Runs Black (1986)

Powerful

Overrated and overhyped

Excellent but underrated film

A Masterpiece!

An orphaned boy who was raised in the Amazon jungle is brought back to civilization by a priest who knows his father. Where the River Runs Black was a bit interesting but still disappointing, it's storyline is a mix between Tarzan meets Mowgli so it pretty much lacks creativity and that's kind of sad since we're talking for a 1986 film so it's pretty damn old right? The movie also has a very slow pacing that makes it even harder for me to follow it closely and as far as perfomances go? I wasn't emotionaly driven with any of the actors or their characters as a whole, definitely a very big disappointment especially for such an old movie that were talking about. (3/10)

I haven't seen this movie for years, but it has always "haunted" me, and I have never been able to forget it. I have frequently looked for it on DVD, hoping to see it pop up in stores or on Amazon, but it is apparently only available online as used VHS. I don't own it in any form, so I am wondering what the latest news is as to a future release on DVD.Since I was very young, I have been a fan of jungle movies. Many of them have had shallow and silly plots, but this movie is about the human spirit's ability to survive. It is a beautiful story, and is visually stunning. It's right up there with "The Emerald Forest" which came out the same year.

I have this movie taped from HBO since it was aired in 1987. It is one of my favorite movies. It is beautifully shot in the amazon, the sounds of the jungle add a lot to it also. I really like the story line it has great characters. You really do not see movies made like this except once in 10 years it seems.

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.