The Man Without a Face
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| The Man Without a Face | |
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 The Man Without a Face movie poster |
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| Directed by | Mel Gibson |
| Produced by | Bruce Davey, Dalisa Cohen (co-producer) |
| Written by | Malcolm MacRury (screenplay) Based on the novel by Isabelle Holland |
| Starring | Mel Gibson Nick Stahl |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Editing by | Antony Gibbs |
| Distributed by | Warner |
| Release date(s) | August 25, 1993 |
| Running time | 114 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 Million |
| IMDb profile | |
The Man Without a Face is a 1993 drama starring and directed by Mel Gibson. The movie is based on Isabelle Holland's 1972 novel. Most critics were impressed with what was Gibson's directing debut, but noted that the book's criticism of homophobia had been obscured in the film version.
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[edit] Plot
The film takes place in the turbulent era of the late 1960s where Justin McLeod (Gibson) has been living the life of a recluse painter for seven years, after being in a car accident that disfigured him, killed one of his students and ended his teaching career. However, a young boy named Chuck needs a tutor to help him pass the exams required for entrance into a military academy, and hence he eventually is able to persuade McLeod to become his teacher and in a larger sense his role model.
However, Chuck keeps his daily meetings with McLeod a secret, to avoid the scorn of being associated with a disfigured man with a past shrouded in mystery. When his mother learns that he has been visiting this man, she and the rest of the town are convinced that McLeod must have been molesting the child, and no amount of denial from the young Chuck seems to make much difference. Chuck confronts McLeod, and learns the full story of his disfigurement: McLeod, a former teacher, was in a car accident with a student who was in love with him, branded a pedophile, and forced out of his hometown. He is once again railroaded out of the town as a social pariah and ordered by the authorities not to have any sort of contact with Chuck.
McLeod breaks this final rule, leaving Chuck behind a note that wishes him the best of luck in his academic goals and a meek reminder to the audience about the need for society to tolerate people that are different. In a final shot, Chuck is seen graduating from the military academy, with honors, and sees a mysterious figure in the background and recognizes it as his tutor, the man without a face.
[edit] Novel vs. film
- In the original novel, McLeod behaved in a way that could be interpreted as child grooming, taking Chuck swimming and being affectionate to him. Chuck seemed to be attracted to McLeod more than just as a father figure. There is one scene where it is strongly implied that McLeod sexually abuses Chuck in his bedroom. In the film, McLeod demonstates no sexual interest in the boy at all, even though Chuck appears downstairs in his underwear when the police officer calls.
- In the film, McLeod gets into the accident because he was intoxicated, while in the novel McLeod implies that the car crash was caused by being distracted because the boy was obviously so attracted to him.
[edit] Cast & Crew
- Mel Gibson .... Justin McLeod
- Nick Stahl .... Charles E. 'Chuck' Norstadt
- Margaret Whitton .... Catherine Palin
- Fay Masterson .... Gloria Norstadt
- Gaby Hoffmann .... Megan Norstadt
- Geoffrey Lewis .... Chief Wayne Stark
- Richard Masur .... Prof. Carl Hartley
- Michael DeLuise .... Douglas Hall, Gloria's Boyfriend
- Ethan Phillips .... Todd Lansing
- Jean De Baer .... Mrs. Lansing
- Jack De Mave .... Mr. Cooper
- Viva .... Mrs. Cooper
- Justin Kanew .... Rob Lansing
- Sean Kellman .... David Taylor-Fife
- Chris Lineburg .... Scott Pearson
- Kelly Wood .... Amy Banks
- Jessica Taisey .... Signy Eaton
- David A. McLaughlin .... Chuck's Father
- George Martin .... Sam the Barber
- Timothy Sawyer .... Gus
- Lawrence Wescott Jr. .... Bob
- Michael Currie .... Mr. Cameron, General Store Owner
- Stanja Lowe .... Mrs. Cameron
- Zach Grenier .... Dr. Lionel Talbot, Psychiatrist
- William Meisle .... Judge Sinclair
- Robert Hitt .... Mr. William McDowell
- Mary Lamar Mahler .... Miss Fletcher, Children's Aid
- Robert DeDiemar Jr. .... Chuck at age 17
- Drew Guenett .... Ferry Crew Member
- Gene Leverone, a renowned actor.... Holyfield Master #1
- Malcolm MacRury .... Holyfield Master #2
- George D. Fuller .... Speaker at Graduation
- Harriette C. Henninger .... Neighbor
- Edmund Genest .... Husband #6 (as Edmond Genest)
- John B. Guptill .... Chuck's Friend
- Michael Forte .... Pedestrian
- Elizabeth S. Clarke .... Ferry Passenger
- Sam Nelson .... Beluga (uncredited)
| Films directed by Mel Gibson |
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| The Man Without a Face • Braveheart • The Passion of the Christ • Apocalypto |
