The Man Without a Face

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The Man Without a Face

PG-13,

1993,

1h 54m,

Drama

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Watchlist

67%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Young Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) wants nothing more than to join a prestigious military academy like his late father, but he is wary of the school's lofty academic standards. With only a single summer in which to study for the entrance exam, Chuck finds an unlikely tutor in the form of Justin McLeod (Mel Gibson), a disfigured recluse who was once a teacher. McLeod agrees to teach Chuck, and the two form a deep friendship -- until Chuck learns of the secret behind McLeod's terrible scars.

Adrian Martin

The Age (Australia)

Jul 27, 2023

Gibson handles ably, if not imaginatively, this cross between a typical episode of The Wonder Years and a hothouse family melodrama in the vein of The Prince of Tides.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 4, 2019

The Man Without a Face is such a noble, well-intentioned little film that one feels like an ogre picking on it. Alternately poky and melodramatic--and occasionally witty and insightful--the uneven screenplay too often strains credibility.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

3/4

The movie is Gibson's debut as a director, and shows him not only with a good visual sense, but with what is even rarer, the confidence to know what needs to be told and what can be left unsaid.

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Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

Dec 16, 2024

5/5

A tear-jerking triumph.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 9, 2019

Stahl carries the film, with a fine performance balanced on the preadolescent cusp of spontaneity and craft. Once again, the story is about coming of age. Growing up, it seems, never goes out of fashion.

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Apr 21, 2008

4/5

intriguing and involving

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Finn P

Mar 28, 2018

Gibson's directorial debut is both touching and sad. It rises above being a melodrama with 2 great performances in the central roles. A film that will pleasantly surprise viewers.

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Leia W

Dec 30, 2017

Nice directorial debut by Mel Gibson, very humane work. Nick Stahl is brilliant as the young boy longing for a father. Mel Gibson's McLeod is a disillusioned seclusive teacher with a great magnanimous heart. The film depicts true friendship between a man and a boy who help each other in their plight. A kind film.

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Abraham S

Jun 8, 2017

Pretty good movie. As a whole, the story feels pretty generic and formulaic, but thanks to some heartwarming moments and great performances from is cast, especially Stahl's debut performance and Gibson (in his directorial debut), it redeems itself.

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Rey S

May 28, 2017

People want their truth...

George P

May 25, 2017

One of Mel Gibson's best.

Leia S

Apr 9, 2017

Movie about a man with a disfigured face who befriends a boy and then tutors him. Mel Gibson sucks. I hated this movie. One of the worst I've seen.

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Mel Gibson

Director

Mel Gibson

Justin McLeod

Nick Stahl

Charles E. "Chuck" Norstadt

Margaret Whitton

Catherine Palin

Fay Masterson

Gloria Norstadt

Gaby Hoffmann

Megan Norstadt

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Synopsis

Young Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) wants nothing more than to join a prestigious military academy like his late father, but he is wary of the school's lofty academic standards. With only a single summer in which to study for the entrance exam, Chuck finds an unlikely tutor in the form of Justin McLeod (Mel Gibson), a disfigured recluse who was once a teacher. McLeod agrees to teach Chuck, and the two form a deep friendship -- until Chuck learns of the secret behind McLeod's terrible scars.

Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Bruce Davey
Screenwriter: Isabelle Holland, Malcolm MacRury
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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