Brazil

Since Amazon lumps the reviews for all the various releases of this movie together, I want to be clear that this review is for the single disc, 132 minute blu-ray version with the cover picture of smiling man made of bricks with the word "Brazil" flying out of the top of his head. For those who don't know the history of this movie - there are at least three different versions. It was originally released in Europe as a nearly two and half hour long film. The studio who financed it didn't like that version because it A. was too long, B. was too uncommercial and C. had a dark, depressing ending. The contract they had with Gilliam stipulated that the movie had to be less than 2 hours and 15 minutes, so it could have multiple prime-time showings in theaters. They suggested he cut the ending. Gilliam refused, so the studio took it upon themselves to create the "Love Conquers All" version, which chopped out almost an hour of footage - they only kept the parts that showed the main character Sam in a heroic light, anything that contributed to the Sam/Jill love story and anything that featured Robert DiNero. And, of course, the ending was changed to a happy ending by removing the final scene. Also, to make the plot easier to follow, they used some alternate takes, some deleted footage and hired voice actors to overdub dialog. Unsurprisingly, Gilliam didn't want that version released, so he finally edited the movie down to 2 hours and 12 minutes, kept the dark ending and made a few other minor changes and the studio was contractually obligated to release that version to theaters in the United States. It's this US version that appears on the blu-ray, with absolutely no additional features (not even the Gilliam commentary that's included on most other releases of the film). Annoyingly, they also added advertisements for other movies to the main menu screen. But I'm still happy to have this version, because it's the first time I've seen the "US edit" since originally seeing the film in a theater on the campus of Penn State back in my college days. I can't really write an unbiased review of the movie itself, because from that first viewing I became obsessed with both Brazil and Terry Gilliam's films in general. I bought all his movies on VHS as soon as they came out and eventually replaced them with DVDs. I bought the 3-DVD Criterion "Final Cut" version of Brazil back when it was an expensive new release. I was surprised that it included scenes I'd never seen before - I think it's based mostly on the European version, with some additional tweaks by Gilliam. It also included the "Love Conquers All" version of the movie and a ton of bonus features. Sadly though, it wasn't animorphic, so on my widescreen TV it put black letterboxing bars on all four sides, shrinking the picture down to about 60% of the screen. This blu-ray was exactly what I was looking for. While it's missing a few (non-essential) scenes, it's the version of the movie that I "grew up" with and is presented in full 16X9 animorphic widescreen. It's the best looking version I've seen since originally seeing it in the theater. For example, I never really noticed the makeup on Katherine Hellmond at the beginning of the movie to make her look older (pre-surgery), but it's clearly visible on the blu-ray. I've always felt bad for one actress during the explosion scene in the restaurant because it looks like she really does get hit by some of the flying debris - the blu-ray is maybe a little too clear there, because now I can tell it's just a dressed-up mannequin. As for the movie itself - it's one of those films you'll either love or hate. Its alternate-reality, retro-futuristic look makes it seem nearly as fresh and amazing today as it did when it first came out. And the background plot of a government bureaucracy turning a country into a surveillance state in response to a perceived terrorist threat - I know it was based on things happening in England at the time, but it's like Gilliam had a crystal ball and looked 30 years into the United States' future. The alternating between "reality" and dream sequences and the general Gilliam quirkiness will probably put a lot of people off, but it's what drew me to this movie in the first place. If you become fanatical about the movie like I am, you'll need both this blu-ray and the Criterion release. To fully experience the film you need to see every version (even the Love Conquers All version) because each one includes bits that aren't in any of the others. If you do decide to watch Brazil and find that you like it, give some of Gilliam's more recent movies a try, like The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassis and The Zero Theorem. Really, if you like odd, out-of-the-mainstream movies that you'll be thinking about for days after you see them, you can't go wrong with pretty much any Terry Gilliam film.

Movie does a lot better at giving 1984 vibes than the real 1984 movie.

Brazil [Blu-ray ] On this Blu-ray for the first time ever we get the ORIGINAL 132 minute version of the film as was shown in U.S. theaters. (Note: This is NOT the "Love Conquers All" Sheinberg/TV Edit.) All the DVD releases before this have been the European Version/Director's Cut of the film. Even the original Universal DVD release that said Theatrical Cut on the box actually had the European Version/Director's Cut. Unfortunately, Universal didn't really spend any time cleaning up the negative for Hi-Definition (there is very noticeable instances of dirt and debris on the negative) but it still beats the image quality found on the Universal SD DVD, and they do include an amazing DTS-HD Master 5.1. We'll just have to wait for the Criterion Blu-ray of Brazil for image perfection but serious fans of Brazil will want to get this Blu-ray edition just to have this version of the film as it was originally seen in theaters in 1985. I actually find this 132-minute version is in many ways a superior cut of the film. Here are the differences in detail: *In the 132-minute version you cut from Sam in bed with Jill, police sack goes over head, then CUT TO Pull off police sack to reveal Sam in Torture Chamber/Interrogation chair. This one cut is simply brilliant and very powerful. In the Criterion Version you have the added scene of Mr. Helpman as Father Christmas (completely out of charcater from the rest of the film) and the whole interrogation scene of Sam hanging from the rack inside the police/mail pouch which becomes narratively redundant and dilutes the impact of the final scene. *To end it with cooling tower/interrogation room fade to clouds was a great Gilliam wink of subversion and irreverence to the cliche Hollywood Ending. As opposed to the European cut of just credits over cooling tower/interrogation room. *The Samurai Scene is divided into 3 separate scenes in the 132-minute version versus 1 LONG scene in the European cut. And you know what? Like most things, it works better in 3's. *The 132-minute version cuts straight to the Dinner Scene with Ida (his mother) ordering numero deux, trois, etc. while the European version has the entrance to the restaurant of going through the metal detector which really doesn't add anything and is again a bit redundant when the bomb does eventually go off in the restaurant. With the scene, you're signaling to the audience we are looking for a bomb, so we expect a bomb. Without the added scene, the bombing is unexpected and it actually shocks you so you're both horrified and laughing. The unexpectedness also works as it builds upon the bomb motif from the first explosion at the beginning of Brazil during the Ducts advert. *And finally I just love that the 132-minute version opens on those clouds (outtakes from The Never-Ending Story) then goes to the Central Services advert about Ducts: "Are your ducts old-fashioned, out-of-date... " Now the Criterion version also has the clouds opening (The Original European Cut didn't) but it's funny because the Studio asked Gilliam to start off with the clouds for the US Cut and he actually prefers it as quoted in his Director's commentary. Hilarious. Little changes that add up to a tighter and overall, better film.

Probably Gilliams most serious film, a story of a dreamer in a dystopian bureaucratic future, plagued by monotony and endless paperwork, our protagonist (played by Jonathan Pryce) isn't sure what he wants in his life, but he knows he wants something different. When the Department of Information Retrieval disappears the wrong person (played by Robert De Niro), our hero goes to reimburse the widow and discovers a woman living in the same building who looks like the woman out of his dreams (played by Kim Greist). Really stellar performances by Pryce, and a gaggle of supporting actors such as Ian Holm, Michael Palin, Kathrine Helmond, and Bob Hoskins. Greists performance is probably the weakest, but she does enough for the role that the critique of it amounts to a nit pick really. While this film is considered a cult classic, I would qualify it even less and say its just a classic, full of symbolism with a increasingly repressive tone throughout balanced by Gilliams puncturing, dark humor.

If you’re a fan of Terry Gilliam, Robert De Niro, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Holm and Jonathan Price, you’ll like this. If you’re into weird fantasy sci-fi with a tangled and twisted plot, you’ll love this movie. Ok no spoilers… The theme of Brazil revolves around the absurdity and oppression of bureaucracy in a dystopian society. It critiques totalitarianism and the dehumanizing effects of a rigid, bureaucratic system. The protagonist, Sam Lowry (Jonathan Price) navigates this oppressive world through daydreams and fantasies, seeking escape and individuality amidst societal control. The recurring song “Aquarela do Brasil” symbolizes hope and rebellion, contrasting Sam’s dreams with his bleak reality, ultimately highlighting the struggle against conformity and the pursuit of personal freedom in an insane world. This was De Niro’s first real departure from his typical role into a somewhat comedic or satirical genre. Ian Holm is excellent as an overbearing and impotent manager within the bureau Sam works at. De Niro is a SWAT-like HVAC technician guru-rebel who rescues Sam from his worst fears.

I hadn't re-watched this movie since the first time I saw it, when it came out in 1985. Back then, it had stricken the public with its fatalistic and pessimistic view of an overwhelming bureacracy, a suggested characteristic of fully-centralised power in a controlled society in the future. Today, we can still admire some of its validity and premonitory qualities (and the sarcastic humour !). The dream-like scenes and symbols used in the film are also ageless. Ever-growing computer systems govern today the relationships we hold with banks, government departments, utilities, phone companies, etc. Who hasn't experienced the frustration of dealing with their 'machines' and/or incompetent & robotic bureaucrats when problems or errors arise in their service? 'Brazil' will seem so familiar! The omni-presence of screens in our lives, everywhere and incessantly offering us products or services, or used to control our movements and behaviour, is also a well-guessed futuristic scenario by Gilliam & co. And what to say about the 'terrorism' and the 'permanent state of fear' portrayed back then? Sounds familiar today? I recommend this movie to anyone interested in the threats of an unbridled, arrogant and all-powerful bureaucracy in human society. The film can be a bit 'heavy' at times, though. Not everyone's cup of tea. Watch it first, before sharing with friends or family.

IF you love Monty Python then this Movie is for you!

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