The mystery and menace of the wilderness excite John Boorman; and the suspense of the action is sustained through consistently fine images, in which the green forest light predominates.

This simplicity of expression, combined with Boorman's usual sophisticated visual technique, makes it a genuine oddity. But, whatever its faults, it looks glorious, tells a fascinating story and is a piece of sheer cinema you have to see.

This long, wheezy tribute to the Noble Savage has some pretty scenery, but not much else -- it's not a movie, it's a National Geographic special.

Here’s a “save the rainforest” film that succeeds so well as an adventure yarn and as a familial drama that one might forget about its pro-environmental slant until the closing text helpfully brings it back to the forefront.