Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

This film could be taken as a powerful treatise on the Catholic Church's idea of morality, or on the cultural contrasts and difficulties faced by a large emerging south American economy. I think it is both. It comments on the economics of Church-aided development, on the treatment of orphaned children in South America, and on the corruption in politics in parts of South America. The continent's poorest are shown as being seen by the richest as disposable, but it also shows a glimmer of hope. The acting is first rate, which you would expect from a cast that includes Conchata Ferrell and Charles Durning, the photography is beautiful, and the film has a sense of natural justice.

This is the second and final collaboration between director Christopher Cain, cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchía, and composer James Horner. Two years earlier, these three men collaborated on one of the best 1980s dramas, "The Stone Boy". Although all the factors of that earlier film are present here, it's a very much different experience. "Where the River Runs Black" is a somewhat hybrid action/adventure/fantasy film, with enough acting power in front of the camera to make it dramatically compelling. Many fine performances appear throughout the story. Alessandro Rabelo, as the main character Lazaro is engaging. Charles Durning, Peter Horton, and Divana Brandão all give very committed performances. Durning lends depth and credibility to each word he speaks.Visually, this film is extremely well realized, though the VHS release gives somewhat less evidence of that (it's yet to be put out on DVD). Juan Ruiz Anchía creates many stunning sequences. There is a slow motion scene of Lazaro running through the rain that took my breath away. The visual sense of the film offers much to keep the viewer interested. On top of that, the music of James Horner constantly brings back themes of longing and beauty. It's a wonderful soundtrack.Overall, the story is a bit too disconnected to make this a truly great film. The many changes in pace and focus make it feel like many different films at once, and not necessarily to its benefit. For a children's film (though I hate to categorize something only as such), it is very good. The constant changes is style should keep kids interested. I certainly recommend "Where the River Runs Black", but it's not quite as believable is it should be, and not quite as balanced, even for a fantasy. It's certainly worth watching once, maybe twice. But wait for the DVD if you really want to see it as it was meant to be seen.

I remember back when I was in sixth grade, we watched "Where the River Runs Black". For about the first half hour to forty-five minutes, you sort of sit there thinking that it's one of those movies that exists only to tug at your emotions. But after that, it turns out to be quite good. It focuses on Lazaro (Alessandro Rabelo), a boy born in the Amazon jungle to an Indian woman and an American missionary who gets killed by a snake. After his mother gets murdered by some thugs, Lazaro gets brought to the city and raised in a church. But then he comes across the man who murdered his mother, and he's ready for revenge. Narrating the movie is Charles Durning as a priest; I'd say that he was born to play the role.Like I said, you have to be patient with this movie. It drags at times, but mostly does a good job. Other cast members include Ajay Naidu (one of the guys in "Office Space"), Peter Horton and Dana Delany.

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.