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Brazil

  • 19851985
  • RR
  • 2h 12m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,357
737
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Brazil (1985)
Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for Brazil
Play trailer1:32
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi

A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
199K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,357
737
  • Director
    • Terry Gilliam
  • Writers
    • Terry Gilliam(screenplay by)
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
    • Charles McKeown(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Pryce
    • Kim Greist
    • Robert De Niro
Top credits
  • Director
    • Terry Gilliam
  • Writers
    • Terry Gilliam(screenplay by)
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
    • Charles McKeown(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Pryce
    • Kim Greist
    • Robert De Niro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 634User reviews
    • 256Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 8 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos3

    Brazil: The Criterion Collection
    Trailer 1:32
    Brazil: The Criterion Collection
    Brazil (1985)
    Trailer 2:35
    Brazil (1985)
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films
    Clip 8:43
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films

    Photos182

    Jonathan Pryce in Brazil (1985)
    Jim Broadbent and Katherine Helmond in Brazil (1985)
    Winston Dennis in Brazil (1985)
    Jonathan Pryce and Charles McKeown in Brazil (1985)
    Kim Greist as Jill Layton
    Jonathan Pryce in Brazil (1985)
    Jonathan Pryce and Katherine Helmond in Brazil (1985)
    Jonathan Pryce, Katherine Helmond, Barbara Hicks, and Kathryn Pogson in Brazil (1985)
    Guy Standeven in Brazil (1985)
    Jonathan Pryce and Michael Palin in Brazil (1985)
    Robert De Niro and Jonathan Pryce in Brazil (1985)
    Kim Greist in Brazil (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jonathan Pryce
    Jonathan Pryce
    • Sam Lowryas Sam Lowry
    Kim Greist
    Kim Greist
    • Jill Laytonas Jill Layton
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Harry Tuttleas Harry Tuttle
    Katherine Helmond
    Katherine Helmond
    • Mrs. Ida Lowryas Mrs. Ida Lowry
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Mr. Kurtzmannas Mr. Kurtzmann
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Spooras Spoor
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Jack Lintas Jack Lint
    Ian Richardson
    Ian Richardson
    • Mr. Warrennas Mr. Warrenn
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Mr. Helpmannas Mr. Helpmann
    Jim Broadbent
    Jim Broadbent
    • Dr. Jaffeas Dr. Jaffe
    Barbara Hicks
    Barbara Hicks
    • Mrs. Terrainas Mrs. Terrain
    Charles McKeown
    Charles McKeown
    • Limeas Lime
    Derrick O'Connor
    Derrick O'Connor
    • Dowseras Dowser
    Kathryn Pogson
    Kathryn Pogson
    • Shirleyas Shirley
    Bryan Pringle
    Bryan Pringle
    • Spiroas Spiro
    Sheila Reid
    Sheila Reid
    • Mrs. Buttleas Mrs. Buttle
    John Flanagan
    • T.V. Intervieweras T.V. Interviewer…
    Ray Cooper
    • Technicianas Technician
    • Director
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Writers
      • Terry Gilliam(screenplay by)
      • Tom Stoppard(screenplay by)
      • Charles McKeown(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) is a harried technocrat in a futuristic society that is needlessly convoluted and inefficient. He dreams of a life where he can fly away from technology and overpowering bureaucracy, and spend eternity with the woman of his dreams. While trying to rectify the wrongful arrest of one Harry Buttle (Brian Miller), Lowry meets the woman he is always chasing in his dreams, Jill Layton (Kim Greist). Meanwhile, the bureaucracy has fingered him responsible for a rash of terrorist bombings, and Sam and Jill's lives are put in danger. —Philip Brubaker <coda@nando.net>
    • bureaucracy
    • wrongful arrest
    • dystopia
    • dream
    • clerical error
    • 302 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It's only a state of mind.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Terry Gilliam was asked to do a film class during the filming of this movie at the University of Southern California. Terry agreed, and took advantage of the situation by preparing to bring an "audio visual aid", which was his cut of the movie, which would have been allowed. Unfortunately, two days before the event, students advertised a free screening of the movie. When he arrived, it was announced that Universal Pictures would not allow him to show it. During his speech to the class, he was interrupted by studio executives' phone calls. They eventually allowed him to show a clip. He showed the entire movie, and repeated the screenings for over two weeks. It was during one of these screenings, that Los Angeles, California movie critics saw it, and awarded it the Best Picture of the Year award, which was responsible for getting it released the way Gilliam wanted it.
    • Goofs
      When Harry Tuttle escapes from Sam Lowry's flat, he is wearing a hood covering his head. When Harry starts to zip-line off the precipice, he is replaced by a stunt double wearing a baseball cap.
    • Quotes

      Jill Layton: Care for a little necrophilia? Hmmm?

    • Crazy credits
      Sidney Sheinberg's name is listed in the credits next to Worst Boy. Terry Gilliam and Sheinberg fought notoriously over the content and release of the film.
    • Alternate versions
      There are at least three different versions of Brazil. The original 142 minutes European release, a shorter 132-minutes prepared by Gilliam for the American release and another different version, nicknamed the Sheinberg Edit or 'Love Conquers All' version, from Universal's then boss Sid Sheinberg, against whom Terry Gilliam had to fight to have his version released.
    • Connections
      Featured in What Is Brazil? (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Brazil
      Music by Ary Barroso

      English lyrics by Bob Russell (as S.K. Russell)

      © Copyright 1939 by Irmaos Visale, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

      © Copyright 1939 by Southern Music Publishing Company Inc., New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

      © Copyright assigned 1942 to Peer International Corporation, New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

    User reviews634

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Orwell with a Python twist
    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.
    helpful•231
    91
    • redneck-6
    • Mar 29, 2000

    FAQ5

    • Why is the film called "Brazil"?
    • What is the significance of the ducts and air conditioning?
    • What did the giant samurai represent?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Brasil
    • Filming locations
      • Mentmore Towers, Mentmore, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Embassy International Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,929,135
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $30,099
      • Dec 22, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,949,953
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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