---
title: "The Emerald Forest: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest"
critics_score: 69
critics_reviews: 8
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Emerald Forest (1985): what the critics said

Critics' score 69 from 8 reviews: 3 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise clustering around the jungle photography and visual storytelling. Critics repeatedly single out the use of light, colour and movement, while the more enthusiastic accounts also admire the music and ritual detail. The adventure holds attention even for some who find the writing uneven. Praise for the performances is less consistent, though Powers Boothe receives favourable notice from Empire.

The spread runs from strong enthusiasm to mixed assessments, with no outright negative verdicts. Reservations centre on clunky plotting, thin characterisation and an environmental message that some find overly earnest or preachy. Slant Magazine offers a contrasting reading, finding thematic depth beyond a straightforward conservation plea. Charley Boorman particularly divides opinion: Radio Times finds his acting awkward, while Eye for Film considers him endearing. The latter nevertheless questions the tribal stereotyping, showing that sympathy for the film’s ecological concerns does not settle doubts about its portrayal of people.

## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson

Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 1985. 

Benson calls the film a powerful, beautiful surprise and suggests it may become a classic. She praises its vivid portrayal of tribal life, especially the lush cinematography, music, and ritual details.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-02-ca-744-story.html)

## Slant Magazine — Robert C. Cumbow

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2010. 

Cumbow presents the film as a lasting, thematically rich work rather than a simple environmental tract. He praises its vivid use of light, color, and movement to challenge assumptions about civilization and nature.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/summer-of-85-what-we-have-forgotten-the-emerald-forest/)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1984. 

The review finds the film engrossing despite flaws in its narrative and characterization. It particularly praises the film’s visual fascination, while noting tension between documentary realism and stylized direction.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/the-emerald-forest-1200426434/)

## The New York Times — Janet Maslin

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 1985. 

The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict cannot be confirmed. No specific praise or complaint is available from the supplied page text.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/emerald-forest.html)

## Time Out — DT

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The accessible page identifies this as a film review but provides no critic's verdict. It contains no review text indicating what the critic praised or criticized.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-emerald-forest)

## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson

Rating 3/5. 

Hutchinson finds the film’s conservation message strengthens its appeal, despite an overly earnest approach. He praises Philippe Rousselot’s beautiful jungle photography but criticizes Charley Boorman’s awkward acting.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-wwzfxq/the-emerald-forest/)

## Empire — Ian Nathan

Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

Nathan finds the film visually striking and effective as an adventure, but feels its environmental message can become preachy. He praises Powers Boothe’s performance while criticizing the film’s self-righteousness and cloying reunion.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/emerald-forest-review/)

## Eye for Film — Andrea Mullaney

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2005. 

Mullaney finds the film uneven but ultimately warm-hearted, with an ecological message that remains relevant. She praises Charley Boorman’s endearing performance, while criticizing the clunky plot and the tribe’s “noble savage” stereotyping.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-emerald-forest-film-review-by-andrea-mullaney)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-emerald-forest.md