The Man Without a Face takes place in 1968. For the past seven years, Justin McLeod (Gibson) has been living an isolated existence as a reclusive painter following a car accident which left him disfigured on the right side of his face and chest by burns sustained in a post-crash fire.
Young Chuck Nordstadt (Nick Stahl) endures a dysfunctional relationship with his sister and their widowed mother. One day, Chuck meets McLeod on a ferry; Chuck is both intrigued and slightly scared of him. Chuck needs a tutor to help him pass a military academy’s entrance exam; McLeod is the only one who openly believes Chuck can and will succeed. Eventually, Chuck persuades McLeod to become his teacher; although he is initially baffled by McLeod’s unorthodox methods, the two develop a close friendship.
Chuck keeps his daily meetings with McLeod a secret, to avoid being scorned for associating with a disfigured man whose past is shrouded in mystery. No one knows much about McLeod, and few people have ever made an effort to know him; this has made McLeod the object of gossip, speculation, and suspicion.
Ultimately, Widow Nordstadt learns that her son has been visiting McLeod. She and the rest of the town convince themselves that McLeod is molesting Chuck, despite Chuck’s adamant denials. Chuck researches McLeod’s car accident, which involved the death of another boy, hence McLeod’s fear of another attachment. Chuck is forcibly taken to a psychiatrist, who Chuck (accurately) suspects is also biased against McLeod.
The Man Without a Face is a 1993 American drama film starring and directed by Mel Gibson, in his directorial debut. The film is based on Isabelle Holland’s 1972 novel of the same name. Gibson’s direction received respectful reviews from most critics.
The Man Without a Face (1993)
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Starring: Mel Gibson, Margaret Whitton, Fay Masterson, Gaby Hoffmann, Geoffrey Lewis, Richard Masur, Nick Stahl, Geoffrey Lewis, Richard Masur, Michael DeLuise
Screenplay by: Malcolm MacRury
Production Design by: Barbara Dunphy
Cinematography by: Donald McAlpine
Film Editing by: Antony Gibbs
Costume Design by: Shay Cunliffe
Set Decoration by: Donald Elmblad
Art Direction by: Marc Fisichella
Music by: James Horner
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature subject matter.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: August 25, 1993
Hits: 65
