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Product Description
Tough Brazilian police thriller set in 1997 Rio de Janeiro, just before the visit of the Pope. Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) of BOPE (Special Police Operation Battalion) has plenty to keep him occupied. Not only is he trying to clear the drug gangs from the area in which the Pope will be staying, but he is also trying to find a successor to take over BOPE from him. He is desperate to take on a safer job so that he can be closer to his pregnant wife. Meanwhile, Neto (Caio Junqueira) and Matias (Andre Ramiro), two close friends, are so disillusioned with their careers in the Military Police that they decide to transfer to BOPE in the hope of better times. Linking up with Captain Nascimento for training, the two young policemen form a close bond with their new commander. But which one will succeed him? The film is directed by Jose Padilha ('Bus 174').
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By godzilla78
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Fans of city of god/city of men should check this out however the feel good factor is something that is missing. Set in the Brazilian shanty towns, the story focuses upon 3 individuals within the police force and BOPE (elite police force) who use as much force and ruthlessness as the drug dealers and criminals. Two of the main characters aspire to become soldiers of BOPE although both men have different characteristics and methods but slowly realize what they must do to succeed. The third character wants to leave BOPE to start a family but must first groom a replacement in order to do so. This is where the new recruits come in. As the film proceeds the viewer is increasingly shown the ruthless methods the police rely upon to get results. Of the two recruits, one is more engaging and academic whilst the other dreams of joining the elite. However things aren't quite that simple as more and more people are sucked into the cycle of violence ala city of god etc. The film's release in Brazil courted controvesy as many believed the film showed the authority for what they really are...corrupt, brutal and unforgiving. Definetly one for the dvd collection upon release but just don't think all will be rosy by the end.
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Gisli Jokull Gislason
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Look at our unit symbol, it is a skull with two handguns and a dagger, what do you think we do.
In my opinion this was the best movie in 2008. It is a roller coster ride of raw brutality and general badness. There are over 70 Favelas (ghetto districts) in Rio de Janeiro and there is another good film "City of God" that tells the story of the Favelas through a boy who grew up in one but the focus on this movie is far more brutal. Here it is BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais - Elite Squad) that is the central focus, and they can be called with justification a "Death Squad".
But the movie isn't as simple as that. We get to see the Favelas for what they are, the drug dealers and crime lords are the law and the regluar police is corrupt, walking a fine line between intervention and bribes. The crime gangs are armed to the teeth and with weapons of war rather than criminal weapons. Enter BOPE - sent in to fight the gangs and clean up the police if need be. And their policy is too shoot first or put the problem in the bag.
If you can handle the sheer brutallity then this movie has a lot to offer. If you wish to take the stand of condemning BOPE there is plenty of supporting evidence (but the real problem is the hell of the Favelas). But if there is a bias in the movie then it leans more to support BOPE - to battle a terrible situation maybe BOPE is the only way left deal with it. It is up to you to decide if they are the last remaining option or the worst of the worst.
City of God is probably a better movie in the strictest sense of movie making but I found Elite Squad to be more effective, probably because it is a much harder film and its focus is on the bad, very bad.... Read more ›
In my opinion this was the best movie in 2008. It is a roller coster ride of raw brutality and general badness. There are over 70 Favelas (ghetto districts) in Rio de Janeiro and there is another good film "City of God" that tells the story of the Favelas through a boy who grew up in one but the focus on this movie is far more brutal. Here it is BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais - Elite Squad) that is the central focus, and they can be called with justification a "Death Squad".
But the movie isn't as simple as that. We get to see the Favelas for what they are, the drug dealers and crime lords are the law and the regluar police is corrupt, walking a fine line between intervention and bribes. The crime gangs are armed to the teeth and with weapons of war rather than criminal weapons. Enter BOPE - sent in to fight the gangs and clean up the police if need be. And their policy is too shoot first or put the problem in the bag.
If you can handle the sheer brutallity then this movie has a lot to offer. If you wish to take the stand of condemning BOPE there is plenty of supporting evidence (but the real problem is the hell of the Favelas). But if there is a bias in the movie then it leans more to support BOPE - to battle a terrible situation maybe BOPE is the only way left deal with it. It is up to you to decide if they are the last remaining option or the worst of the worst.
City of God is probably a better movie in the strictest sense of movie making but I found Elite Squad to be more effective, probably because it is a much harder film and its focus is on the bad, very bad.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Arch Stanton
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A couple of rookies join Brazil's thin blue (well, green) line and get more than they bargained for when they are forced into extremely dangerous 'slum' situations night after night. Which isn't helped by the fact that they are surrounded by unsympathetic civilians and corrupt colleagues at every turn, who're happy to feed them to the streets in order to line their own dirty pockets..
Thoroughly enjoyed this cop thriller with its constant displays of violence and brutality. The themes are quite heavy, probably justifiably so, albeit I have no idea how realistic, or close to the bone this is, having never been to Brazil ~ I have however, on occasion, wandered the mean streets of the Scilly Isles if that counts?!
The story is engaging and the music and action is lively and chaotic enough for me to not really care about its social commentary or impact though, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. In fact if you like tough crime flicks with a very grey moral compass you could do much worse than neck a few cold Brahma's and check this out.
The bluray print is crisp and colourful but there's little in the way of extras, with only a trailer and a director interview.
Obviously people will see immediate similarities to this and City of God but I would also recommend the lesser seen film Pixote as another foray into the world of very good Brazilian ghetto movies.
4.25/5. Add an extra half a star if you like world crime cinema.
Thoroughly enjoyed this cop thriller with its constant displays of violence and brutality. The themes are quite heavy, probably justifiably so, albeit I have no idea how realistic, or close to the bone this is, having never been to Brazil ~ I have however, on occasion, wandered the mean streets of the Scilly Isles if that counts?!
The story is engaging and the music and action is lively and chaotic enough for me to not really care about its social commentary or impact though, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. In fact if you like tough crime flicks with a very grey moral compass you could do much worse than neck a few cold Brahma's and check this out.
The bluray print is crisp and colourful but there's little in the way of extras, with only a trailer and a director interview.
Obviously people will see immediate similarities to this and City of God but I would also recommend the lesser seen film Pixote as another foray into the world of very good Brazilian ghetto movies.
4.25/5. Add an extra half a star if you like world crime cinema.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well this is probably the best Brazilian movie that I have ever seen.
Great stuff. The Blu Ray video and audio is quite good.
However...the Blu Ray is preety barebones, no commentary etc. and there is no english audio.
However don't let this detract from a truely great movie.
Great stuff. The Blu Ray video and audio is quite good.
However...the Blu Ray is preety barebones, no commentary etc. and there is no english audio.
However don't let this detract from a truely great movie.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Carlitos
Format:Blu-ray
This movie is amazing. Big change from the big hollywood blockbusters. This is real life in the streets of Rio de Janeiro in the Favelas. Hardcore. Really good acting.
By Maicon Nunes
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is an awesome movie, it reflect's a bit of the level of violence in Rio and the real life in Brazil, i definately recommend to anyone that likes a bit of action movies
By Mr. P. Johnson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Made in Brazil in 2007, though set ten years earlier, in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Before the pope is due to visit the country, the authorities resolve to clear the slums of the warring gangs of drug dealers who control those areas. This task eventually falls to the `Elite Squad' of the title, the B.O.P.E.
This is probably one of the best films about policing ever made, and does not shrink from showing their brutal methods, the corruption, and even murder, all done in the name of justice. This film literally has everything. A great cast, realistic sets and locations, and a series of frantic action sequences that had me wanting more.
If you ever watch this, I guarantee that you will not be applying for a job in the Rio Police any time soon.
This is probably one of the best films about policing ever made, and does not shrink from showing their brutal methods, the corruption, and even murder, all done in the name of justice. This film literally has everything. A great cast, realistic sets and locations, and a series of frantic action sequences that had me wanting more.
If you ever watch this, I guarantee that you will not be applying for a job in the Rio Police any time soon.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rough and tough
I have quite a lot of contact with Brazil. Believe me the law abiding citizen loves BOPE, the SAS style police unit for heavy use against drug cartels and other criminal... Read more
Published 2 months ago by PG Williams
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disliked
It wasn't the DVD I wanted - this is all subtitles - the DVD based on a story by Fiennes
Published 4 months ago by Julie Blemings
4.0 out of 5 stars
In Rio it's hard to say who you want to avoid most, the drug dealers...
The drug dealers are violent and armed. The cops are violent, armed and corrupt. That is, except for BOPE, the special police operations squad of the Rio police. Read more
Published 7 months ago by C. O. DeRiemer
4.0 out of 5 stars
BOPE
This is an awesome movie and in my opinion better than The Enemy Within. Make sure you watch it before you watch the sequel.
Published 14 months ago by Luther
5.0 out of 5 stars
Winner of the Berlin film festival 2008
This film deservedly won the Berlin film Festival in 2008. It never even got nominated for an oscar, and neither did the sequel. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tando
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping
I have seen the excellent 'City of God' and thought this film would be pushed to meet that standard. But my goodness it did. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jones the Film
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tough to view - very gritty and violent
A superb but tough film to watch about the BOPE - the Elite squad operating in some of the toughest and corrupt urban areas of Rio de Janeiro, it follows a captain named Nascimento... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Louise Roberts
3.0 out of 5 stars
Intresting and watchable
I saw a trailer for this film and it showed this movie to be very hard-hitting, very tough, very intense, engrossing, 5 star movie. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ev
5.0 out of 5 stars
tough movie
There's a lot of violence in this movie - something I'm not usually a fan of watching. It can be very hard to watch some of the scenes, but - I absolutely loved the movie. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nill
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