or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
16 used & new from £2.85
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Elite Squad [DVD] [2008]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Elite Squad [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ Wagner Moura
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
RRP: £17.99
Price: £4.38 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £13.61 (76%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Items for dispatch to UK will be sold by Amazon's Preferred Merchant. (Why?)

12 new from £2.85 4 used from £2.99
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

Elite Squad [DVD] [2008] + Bus 174 [DVD] [2002] + Linha De Passe [DVD] [2008]
Total RRP: £57.97
Price For All Three: £14.34

Show availability and delivery details

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Elite Squad [DVD] [2008]
89% buy the item featured on this page:
Elite Squad [DVD] [2008] 4.4 out of 5 stars (11)
£4.38
Elite Squad [Blu-ray] [2008]
4% buy
Elite Squad [Blu-ray] [2008] 4.6 out of 5 stars (9)
£6.98
Linha De Passe [DVD] [2008]
2% buy
Linha De Passe [DVD] [2008] 4.8 out of 5 stars (4)
£4.98
Bus 174 [DVD] [2002]
2% buy
Bus 174 [DVD] [2002] 4.6 out of 5 stars (11)
£4.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Wagner Moura, Andre Ramiro, Caio Junqueira
  • Directors: Jose Padilha
  • Format: PAL
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 26 Jan 2009
  • Run Time: 111 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B001KWHO92
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,403 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #23 in  DVD > DVD Bargains > World Cinema Savings - Up to 70% Off

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

Synopsis

After the success of the documentary BUS 174, Jose Padilha directs this drama set in Rio de Janeiro's favelas in 1997. The captain of the state police force (Wagner Maura) faces pressure from within and without, as he seeks his own replacement so he can devote his time to being a father instead of fighting the seemingly impossible battle against crime. ELITE SQUAD (TROPA DE ELITE) is based on the experiences of one of its screenwriters, Rodrigo Pimental. Padilha and CITY OF GOD's Braulio Mantovani also earn credit for the script.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Bus 174 [DVD] [2002]

Bus 174 [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ Jose Padilha
4.6 out of 5 stars (11)  £4.98
Linha De Passe [DVD] [2008]

Linha De Passe [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ Walter Salles
4.8 out of 5 stars (4)  £4.98
Carandiru [DVD] [2004]

Carandiru [DVD] [2004]

DVD ~ Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos
3.9 out of 5 stars (8)  £3.98
City Of Men [DVD] [2007]

City Of Men [DVD] [2007]

DVD ~ Darlan Cunha
4.0 out of 5 stars (2)  £5.48
Gomorrah [DVD] [2008]

Gomorrah [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ Salvatore Abruzzese
3.3 out of 5 stars (51)  £6.98
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(3)
(3)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Agree with these tags?

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't shoot my face, you'll ruin my funeral, 23 Nov 2008
By Gisli Jokull Gislason "Jokull" (Iceland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
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. It is based on a best selling book of the same name written by two former BOPE officers and draws more or less from real life. Of all the movies I saw in 2008 this was the one that affected me the most. It comes with my best recommendations.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars grim and gritty, 31 Aug 2008
By godzilla78 (northern ireland) - See all my reviews
  
This review is from: Elite Squad [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Some critics don't understand this is the reality in Rio, 23 Feb 2009
By Leo Zambitte (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This is a brilliant movie that depicts with great accuracy the level of anarchy that rules Rio's Favelas.

Some critics labelled this movie as "facist" or "Manichean" but they failed to realize it simply shows things how they are. It is not taking sides as it is provides all evidence in the world of BOPE wrongdoings.

However, as the population is losing patience with the level of disdain of the state, it is inevitable that some begin to support BOPE's medieval way of work, which is not the point of the movie.

Also important is the role of the drug consumer in fuelling the traffic commandos. Or do you think the money goes to churches?
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars They do still make good movies!
ELITE SQUAD gives Hollywood a lesson on how to make an engaging, realistic action movie. It sucks you in, keeps your attention (which is hard these days) and takes you into the... Read more
Published 4 days ago by BOOK BOY

5.0 out of 5 stars Made my palms sweat throughout
Elite Squad was co-written by a retired captain of Rio de Janeiro's BOPE special police force. Incorruptible and feared throughout the underworld they raid the slums dressed and... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Eclectic Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Tropa de Elite (Elite Squad)
Very good action movie. I bit violent but is nothing more then the reality! I'm Brazilian and I know Rio.
Published 7 months ago by Cesar Rossetti

4.0 out of 5 stars B.O.P.E.
Don't be fooled by the simple title of this film - this is no Hollywood B movie - rather, it is an intelligent and hard hitting slice of Brazilian cinema that is well worth... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mungo

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong, violent and real!
If you have been in Rio, you know it's a special place, a magical city. But "the Marvelous City" has severe problems with drug traffics, crime and corruption. Read more
Published 10 months ago by V. Nunes

5.0 out of 5 stars Tropa de Elite
Elite Troop is a gritty and realistic Brazilian film drama, released 2007. As a semi-fictional account of the BOPE, seen through the eyes of BOPE captain, Nascimento, and two... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Antyllus

4.0 out of 5 stars A sad movie
A sad movie because it depicts a sad situation: a "civil" nation like Brazil with a "street reality" made (also)(or depicted) by drug dealers, poor favelas, corruption (more... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Empe

1.0 out of 5 stars One dimensional
Unworthy of it's comparisons to that actual Brazilian masterpiece City Of God, Elite Squad sets its firearms to BORE from it's opening scenes with an elite group of soldiers (THE... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Leon Johnson

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
   

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject






i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.