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From Amazon.co.uk
Robustly entertaining and bracingly sinister, The Boys from Brazil stars Gregory Peck as the infamous Dr Josef Mengele, the former Nazi chief who intends to resurrect the Führer and create a Fourth Reich through genetic experiments that commence with the assassination of some 94 fathers. Elderly Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier, in an Oscar-nominated performance) is tipped to the plot, but his efforts to expose Peck (fiendishly cast against type) are thwarted by a set of menacing triplets played by Jeremy Black.
Back in 1978, The Boys from Brazil (adapted from Ira Levin's novel) was an incalculably tense, straight-faced entertainment whose lack of irony allowed the viewer to indulge the film's outrageous premise without moral offence. But in view of the scientific advancements made since the release of the film, it's now a cautionary tale, and all the more compelling for being so. Jerry Goldsmith's richly conceived, Oscar-nominated score--replete with echoes of Mahler and Strauss--reinforces this impression.--Kevin Mulhall
Product Description
Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) is aghast when he stumbles upon a plot by war criminal Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck) to produce clones of Adolf Hitler using cells taken from the late dictator's body. It is Mengele's intention to reproduce Hitler not only genetically but in terms of his upbringing, as the boys created from the cells are to grow up in environments as close as possible to the Fuhrer's.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Ira Levin's novels are written for the screen. A KISS BEFORE DYING, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE STEPFORD WIVES, SLIVER... There is that bizarre touch, yet the stories are told in such a compelling way that one is ready to suspend disbelief. As with THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL. In it, Levin combines scientific and historical fact to create an atmosphere of deep menace. Perhaps in order to really enjoy the story (and movie) one should regard it as a nightmare set in reality, a nightmare in which fanaticism and madness (aren't both the same?) drive a man to the most absurd acts in an attempt to keep his political ideal alive, thus proving his never faltering loyalty. The performances of Olivier as the Nazi-hunter Liebermann and Peck as Mengele (almost a Hitler clone himself) are great. The many different locations provide an interesting visual diversity. Goldsmith's music is a mixture of bombastic waltz and Wagnerian compositions adding to that constant atmosphere of dread. I bought this movie on DVD a couple of years ago only to discover the image quality was terrible. This new BLU RAY release on the other looks great, clean and bright. The only letdown is the sound -- hence the 4 stars, but this shouldn't prevent one from enjoying this totally implausible but truly spellbinding work of fiction. If you liked TBFB in the theater, this is no doubt the best version so far. Recommended!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Mark
Format:Blu-ray
Viewers who enjoy sci-fi, thrillers and classic actors (Gregory Peck, James Mason & Sir Laurence Olivier) will welcome this all-region Blu-Ray. The visual presentation is grainy (considering the film stocks of the day), yet it is also very good with high sharpness and natural overall colour (make-up is a bit noticeable in HD).
Were I restoring this film I would have attempted to locate and re-mix the audio stems. Jerry Goldsmith's music score and waltzes suffer from an overly clear mid-range. This might reduce the weight of Mengle's sinister plot.
In any case we may have the definitive presentation of this film. Fans now have good reason to upgrade their mediocre DVD's. It looks great and I'm glad to have it.
Were I restoring this film I would have attempted to locate and re-mix the audio stems. Jerry Goldsmith's music score and waltzes suffer from an overly clear mid-range. This might reduce the weight of Mengle's sinister plot.
In any case we may have the definitive presentation of this film. Fans now have good reason to upgrade their mediocre DVD's. It looks great and I'm glad to have it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
...is outstanding! Skin tones are a tad on the pink side, but, overall a fantastic transfer.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
What if Hitler was cloned 94 times? That's the chilling premise of this must-see film. Dr. Joseph Mengele (played by Gregory Peck) has been living in Brazil since his horrific concentration camp experiments; he masterminded a plot to create 94 little duplicates of Hitler and they are now 14 years old. To recreate the life experiences of the real Hitler, all the boys' fathers must be killed this year. Lawrence Oliver plays Lieberman, a frail concentration camp survivor and Nazi-hunter, who discovers the fiendish plot. He meets several of the nasty little Hitler clones who all share the same creepy, superior attitude. As he is trying to save one father from being killed, he meets Mengele face to face. What would you do if you were Lieberman? And what is to be done with the boys?
Peck plays against type as the repulsive, cruel, insane doctor. Olivier is frail, wise, patient, and a victim no more. When Peck and Olivier meet at the chilling conclusion, we see two master actors at work. It's a tough scene to watch, but you cannot take your eyes off the screen.
The subject of cloning was just a theory in 1978 when this film was made; it is now, of course, a reality. The possiblity of new Adolf Hitlers, or other madmen, is indeed frightening. This is a movie you will never forget.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By BobRambo
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Good and engrossing film and I can't help being amused by Gregory Peck's protrayal of Mengele, the arch enemy of Lieberman the Jewish Nazi hunter. The picture quality in this blu-ray version is very good; the sound adequate though not brilliant. The reason for the 4 stars is I suspect that the film was slightly edited. All in all a good and entertaining film.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Christine
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Always enjoyed this film so thought I would get my own copy. Fast delivery, and now can enjoy this film whenever I like
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Boys From Brazil was a film I knew about but had never managed to catch on TV. Courtesy of ordering a DVD from here, at a knock-down price for an item in excellent condition, I now have been able to see what I'd been missing.
And it wasn't quite what I'd been expecting. More taut drama than I'd anticipated, with two reputable actors in the lead roles giving fine performances, the film manages to sustain interest as it gradually reveals the plot (which I shan't spoil with details, though if you're reading these reviews you may already be familiar with it). However, it does look somewhat dated these days; very much a late 1970's period piece in look and feel and one which doesn't quite manage to rise above it in the way some other films of the time do. Minus one star for that to make this a four-star review.
The plot itself was a little ahead of the curve, and much of what underlies it anticipated advances in science which came about after it was released. There is scope for a remake here I think, taking what we now know to be possible and either updating the script or projecting it into a more modern scenario. If Jurassic Park can base a blockbuster film on extracting DNA from insects preserved in amber, then there must be scope to remake this film on the premise that DNA can be extracted from much more recent specimens.
So an enjoyable watch, but one that left me thinking about what this might become more that what I'd just seen. But something that makes you think a little is something worth the time spent watching, and I recommend it with that observation.
And it wasn't quite what I'd been expecting. More taut drama than I'd anticipated, with two reputable actors in the lead roles giving fine performances, the film manages to sustain interest as it gradually reveals the plot (which I shan't spoil with details, though if you're reading these reviews you may already be familiar with it). However, it does look somewhat dated these days; very much a late 1970's period piece in look and feel and one which doesn't quite manage to rise above it in the way some other films of the time do. Minus one star for that to make this a four-star review.
The plot itself was a little ahead of the curve, and much of what underlies it anticipated advances in science which came about after it was released. There is scope for a remake here I think, taking what we now know to be possible and either updating the script or projecting it into a more modern scenario. If Jurassic Park can base a blockbuster film on extracting DNA from insects preserved in amber, then there must be scope to remake this film on the premise that DNA can be extracted from much more recent specimens.
So an enjoyable watch, but one that left me thinking about what this might become more that what I'd just seen. But something that makes you think a little is something worth the time spent watching, and I recommend it with that observation.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic transfer of a bizarre film.
Having not seen this film for quite a few years I decided to pick up the Blu-ray as it was so cheap. Read more
Published 1 day ago by P. Rockall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Very good service and product. Highly recommend and would not hesitated to use this company again. Not much else I can say.
Published 3 months ago by Monsieur Grimmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Has not dated, still suspenseful
Not sure whether this would have been rated 18 by today's standards but I certainly found it tense and quite frightening, mind you I usually only watch 12's and 15's! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. V. A. Murphy
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Blu Ray begins with an extra scene or it is the same cut of DVD?
The question must be silly , but I explain. This film was part filmed in Portugal to seem Latin America. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joao Pereira Bastos
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
Another great movie on this subject real shady and full of great characters.....if you liked marathon man you'll love this
Published 8 months ago by Rich w
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth watching
Well worth buying super DVD - great acting - marvellous film soundtrack. Excellent value. Quick delivery. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. J. E. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delighted
Most reasonable, arrived most promptly, packaged well, not a single notation of error. I was most pleased and would purchase a product woth you again.
Published 12 months ago by Roxy
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Boys from Brazil
The Boys from Brazil.
This has to be an allegorical piece, albeit a chilling one and one nudging closer to a reality as the years progress. Read more
This has to be an allegorical piece, albeit a chilling one and one nudging closer to a reality as the years progress. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Wilberfalse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crisp clear bluray picture!
This movie first came out to the theatres in 1978 and I remember going to it and loving it. When I ordered it recently on bluray I was a bit skeptical on how good it would look,... Read more
Published 22 months ago by dan williamson
5.0 out of 5 stars
brazilliant..
This is quite simply a great film, with a clever and increasingly relevent storyline. Peck and Olivier are wonderful, unlike other films of the 70s this holds up well. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2011 by I. P. Terry
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