Brazil (UK)
It`s only a state of mind
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 137 mins
Retail Price: £15.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
Brazil is a Terry Gilliam`s surrealistic nightmare vision of a "perfect" future where technology reigns supreme. Everyone is monitored by a secret government agency that forbids love to interfere with efficiency. When a daydreaming bureaucrat (Jonathan Pryce) becomes unwittingly involved with an underground superhero (Robert De Niro) and a beautiful mystery woman (Kim Greist), he becomes the tragic victim of his own romantic illusions. This offbeat fantasy blends biting humor with an unforgettable look at a delightfully dastardly tomorrow.
Special Features:
Documentary: `What is Brazil?`
Theatrical trailer
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
Subtitle Tracks:
Swedish
Finnish
English
CC: English
Danish
Norwegian
Directed By:
Terry Gilliam
Written By:
Terry Gilliam
Charles McKeown
Tom Stoppard
Starring:
Jonathan Pryce
Robert De Niro
Katherine Helmond
Ian Holm
Bob Hoskins
Michael Palin
Ian Richardson
Peter Vaughan
Kim Greist
Jim Broadbent
Casting By:
Irene Lamb
Soundtrack By:
Michael Kamen
Director of Photography:
Roger Pratt
Editor:
Julián Doyle
Costume Designer:
James Acheson
Production Designer:
Norman Garwood
Producer:
Patrick Cassavetti
Arnon Milchan
Your Opinions and Comments
Having seen this only the once, on first viewing it is a wondeful experience. It is darkly comedic, thrilling, wonderful to look at and a hell of a ride. The acting is top notch, even though I feel de Niro was incredibly underused, as was Michael Palins wonderfully excentric character. The only thing that really let the film down was a short mad bit towards the end, but the very end more than made up for this. Note that this is also the directors cut, not the from what I can assume awful 90 minute cut. I`m sure it is all the better for the extra 45 mins, and this is Gilliams masterpiece, even better than 12 Monkeys.
PICTURE
A 1.85.1 ratio, this is a great transfer for an old film. Although not as good as other prints from around this time-the superb BTTF print springs to mind-Fox have done a bang up job. Anamorphic to.
AUDIO
The audio is only 2.0 stereo I`m affraid. Probably Fox could have made a 5.1 track, but as it probably didn`t have a prjected large sales figure, they probably didn`t think it was worth it. It would have been, as it is quite an atmospheric movie, particularly some of the dream sequences, but oh well.
EXTRAS
Those expecting a three disc extras laden affair a la Criterion can think again. The only extras on show are a trailer, in which it is made to look like a romance only, and a half hour doc. WHAT IS BRAZIL? which features the main players going "Well it`s a bit odd" Still, there`s a glimpse of special effects, one deleted scene. Michael Palin being quite funny and the fact de Niro was sort of dragged into it against his will almost. A good doc, but there should have at least been the documentation or a disc with the short cut, and a comentary. The menus are also a bit bland.
The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and is an excellent transfer. I don`t if this has been remastered but it`s in almost pristine condition.
The sound is in Dolby Surround and is also very pleasing. A shame it`s not 5.1 though.
The extras are quite limited compared to the US Criterion disc. The only extras are a trailer and a very good 30 minute documentary called What Is Brazil? This features with much of the cast and crew as well as behind the scenes footage and even glimpses of the famous `eyeballs` scene which was deleted from the final film.
Overall, this is a film classic which is well worth owning. Although a special edition would have been nice, it`s good to see this film finally available on DVD.