The Man Without a Face

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The Man Without a Face

The Man Without a Face movie poster
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 Tony 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 Gibson's directing debut, but noted that the book's criticism of homophobia had been obscured in the film version.

Contents

[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 railed 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] Production

[edit] Box Office

[edit] Cast

  • 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)


[edit] External links