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Denmark released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: Danish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), Danish ( Dolby DTS 5.1 ), Danish ( Subtitles ), English ( Subtitles ), Norwegian ( Subtitles ), Spanish ( Subtitles ), Swedish ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Posters, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: The Danish filmmaker Suzanne Bier's gripping psychological drama is her second film to examine events worthy of Greek tragedy through a contemporary therapeutic lens. In "Open Hearts," her first collaboration with the screenwriter Anders Thomas Jensen, and in "Brothers," a man's life is abruptly shattered by a sudden, fateful event. Michael (Ulrich Thomsen), the wounded hero of "Brothers," is an officer in the Danish contingent of United Nations forces in Afghanistan. After his truck crashes, he is presumed dead. Captured by guerrillas, he is imprisoned and forced to carry out an atrocity that leaves him a broken man. When he returns to his wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen), and two daughters in Denmark, he is seething with rage and guilt. Onto this already anguished scenario, "Brothers" grafts a volatile family dynamic straight out of R. D. Laing. Michael, a virtuous straight arrow and family man, is his father's favorite of two sons. His younger brother, Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), is a drunken wastrel who, as the movie begins, has just been released from prison after committing a petty crime. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: European Film Awards, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, ...Brothers ( 2004 ) ( Brødre )
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A brilliant piece of danish drama, who have somewhat of an underrated catalogue of great titles...
The difficulty with subtitled foreign film is the emotion, thought and story behind words can be lost in translation. The fine performance from a strong cast make sure this definately isn't the case with "Brothers". The raw emotions of lose, desperation, fear and anger are put forward so strongly that it doesn't matter if "Carlsberg" is the extent of your danish, not a shred of drama is lost.
The film moves at a tremendous pace, highlighting the true emotional destruction of war. The focus is taken off the action, and placed on to the families who lose a husband or a brother or a son, left to pick up the pieces, and on the damage done to a returning soldier, and his downward spiral as he survives capture, but at the price of his mind and spirit. There's also a particularly strong scene showing how far a man will go for love and survival.
Take a chance on a Danish great, you won't regret it...
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Fifi
Format:DVD
Came across this movie after enjoying Connie Nielsen's strong, no-nonsense performances as a policewoman in Special Victims Unit and a military policewoman in Basic. Her character in Brothers is an ordinary, loving wife and mother who endures the agony of the reported death of her husband in Afghanistan and has to pick up the pieces for the sake of her children and grieving in-laws. Unlike in her previous roles where her strength comes from her badge, gun or military rank, in this film it is the love for her children and family which gives her the determination to carry on. Her portrayal of putting a brave face on grief is wonderfully subtle yet utterly convincing. The sub-plot of what actually happened to her husband in Afghanistan is equally heart-wrenching to watch (as well as a timely reminder that the Americans are not the only troops in Afghanistan!) He is a good man,a loving husband,son and father,a responsible soldier placed in a situation where the only way to survive is to carry out an unimaginably horrific act that goes against every aspect of his character. The consequences of the choice he is forced to make will change the lives of everybody in the film and the "what would you do in that situation" question haunted me long after the film was over. As well as fantastic acting and gripping plotlines, this film is beautifully shot - from Afghanistan sunsets and sand dunes to the Scandinavian designer chic of the family home in Denmark, a visual feast. Lovely movie on so many levels. Have no intention of ever watching the Hollywood remake - couldn't bear to see what they've done to it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By E. Brislin
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This Danish film really got to me and I found it superior to the previous version I had seen. The acting was sincere and the whole film had a ring of truth to it. If you like films about returning from war, then I would recommend this one.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful production from start to finish
I love this film ,brilliant story and superbly acted. Do not pass this by
, a brilliant example of foreign Cinema
, a brilliant example of foreign Cinema
Published 3 months ago by Bob
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing Special
I purchased this on the basis of the 5 and 4 star reviews. I think I must have been watching something different. Total rubbish. Being generous giving it 2 stars. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Brian J.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brothers DVD
This film is superb. It isn't easy viewing, but it held me and my friend throughout and we were exhausted and exhilarated at the finish. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. Hammond
5.0 out of 5 stars
simply brilliant
A womans take on death , grief and being a victim of war . Excellent acting , with many familar actors from other danish movies , I was particulary taken by the naturalness of the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by cartoon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Painful, but so real...
This film is a must, it is not a story depicting war in action, is a film about life and scars that never healed. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Mrs. R. Brivent Barnes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully subtle movie about the psychological drama of war
This is another in a long line of excellent Danish movies of the past 20 years or so. As opposed to most others, the comical element is completely missing from this one and the... Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2010 by AK
5.0 out of 5 stars
roulette of life and war
This film shows how people from very different countries are at last very similar and if his behaviour is different, this is because the ambient and surrounding circumstances also... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2009 by Carlos Vazquez Quintana
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
For me this movie is magic. Above all some scenes that can led to the conclusion that Connie NIelsen is a great actress. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2007 by Diego Arenales
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