IMDb > Brazil (1985)
Brazil
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 42 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
Brazil (1985) -- A bureaucrat in a retro-future world tries to correct an administrative error and himself becomes an enemy of the state.
Brazil (1985) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Terry Gilliam (screenplay) &
Tom Stoppard (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Brazil on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1985 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
It's only a state of mind. more
Plot:
A bureaucrat in a retro-future world tries to correct an administrative error and himself becomes an enemy of the state. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Orwell with a Python twist more (408 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
1984 and 1/2 (UK) (working title)
1984½ (UK) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for some strong violence. (edited version)
Runtime:
132 min | USA:94 min (edited version) | 142 min (director's cut)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Germany:12 (re-rating) (uncut) | Germany:18 (original rating) (cut) | Germany:12 (re-rating) (2003) | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:16 (1985) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:18 (1985-2003)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jack's daughter Holly is played by Terry Gilliam's daughter, Holly Gilliam. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Sam enters his apartment after the Central Services had frozen it, his shoulders bump into some "ice" that is hanging from pipes. You can clearly see that the "ice" is made out of rubber. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Singers: [TV commercial jingle] Central Services: We do the work, you do the pleasure.
TV commercial pitchman: Hi, there. I want to talk to you about ducts.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Iron Maiden: Flight 666 (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Brazil more

FAQ

What does the title mean?
What did the giant samurai represent?
Chapter Headings, an official version:
more
138 out of 166 people found the following comment useful.
Orwell with a Python twist, 29 March 2000
8/10
Author: (redneck-6) from Texas, United States

This movie did not leave me with a happy feeling when I was done viewing it, but I definitely found it well worth the time. It posits a dark future world where the government has become a gigantic bureaucratic beast. The simplest exchange requires mountains of paperwork and a strict adherence to procedures has replaced anyone's ability to critically think about what they are doing or stand up to the brutality they know lurks around them. Sam Lowry is a man who seems more than happy to live as a cog in the giant machine. When he sleeps, however, he flies through beautiful blue skies towards the woman of his dreams. As he attempts to correct an "oversight" by the Ministry Of Information for whom he works (one of the more obvious nods to Orwell) which has resulted in an innocent man's death, he finds a woman who appears to be the one in his dreams. The line between his dreams and his reality blur ever further as he goes deeper and deeper into the government machine to find out who she is.

Terry Gilliam once again seems to have spared no expense in making sure every visual element of the world adds up to a cohesive whole which makes you feel as if you're really experiencing the characters' surroundings. And, of course, it is a world rendered realistically enough to feel feasible, and yet surrealistically enough to leave an unforgettable impression on you.

Despite the simplicity of the main plot, the movie is full of subtexts and images which carry a message even though you may not see them on the first viewing. In one scene, a man is buying "clean air" from a vending machine along the street. The sides of the highways are walls of billboards which hide the barren environment beyond. A group of people carry a banner that announces "Consumers for Christ" in a store decorated for the holidays as a small child tells Santa she wants a credit card for Christmas. Actually, therein lies one of the things that may turn some people off to this movie. It seems Gilliam had so many things to say about the state of society today that some people may find the movie lacks a coherent message once it's done. The ending will no doubt come as a shock to many people as well, but it was refreshing to me to see something well outside the Hollywood conventions for a change.

My only real complaint was that Robert De Niro's character was so enjoyable, but saw so little use. Other than that, however, I thought it was a film which presents some compelling things which deserve serious thought, even though most people probably won't be able to get past the trademark Gilliam visual quirkiness to see what he is saying. Eight and a half out of ten from me.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (408 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Brazil (1985)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Contains some real cinematographic gems, but a little disappointing. jamie147
Why make a movie like this? troxx
Do not watch the 'what is brazil?' documentary! coolkidm25
Favorite jokes Earl_J_Llama
Should I watch this with my parents? jedidarrick
Absolutely a horrible film. ebonytower
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
V for Vendetta Freeway The Ruling Class Palindromes Brighton Wok: The Legend of Ganja Boxing
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Comedy section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.