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.

It was about a year or so after the release of this movie before I was able to see it. It's amazing how the human spirit can survive, no matter where this body of our's lives. The scenery was beautiful and the story line was wonderfully done.The two brothers that played "Lazaro" (Alessandro And Marcelo Rabelo) do a remarkable job playing "Lazaro" at two different ages. I can see why they casting director chose both of them. Remarkably, they favor each other very much.

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.