This is the story of a strange dystopic society--one that is like many different time periods and countries rolled into one--much like you might see on a parallel Earth. While most of the people speak in English or American accents (something that, oddly, wasn't consistent),the setting seemed like a combination of a Communist state and that of Oceania from "1984". In this awful and repressive society are two main story threads--one involving the plight of poor Mr. Buttle who is accidentally imprisoned, tortured and killed due to a clerical error. The other, and more predominant theme involves bureaucrat Jonathan Pryce as a man who day dreams much like Walter Mitty--but in each case he dreams of the same thing--flying like a bird and rescuing his lady love. However, Pryce has no girlfriend or wife and this woman seems purely a figment of his imagination until he accidentally meets a truck driver who looks like this woman. Unfortunately, when these two story lines meet, the lady love is doomed and it's up to Pryce to save her.

The film is interspersed with lots of bizarre vignettes designed to illustrate just how stupid and pointless this bureaucratic state has become. Some of these are really weird, funny and visually exciting and are way too many to discuss here. However, after a while it seemed like all this weird aspects really tended to distract from the central story and made the movie very long.

I actually took the trouble to see this movie twice--once when it first came out and now again, more than twenty years later. While I didn't particularly enjoy the movie when it first came out, I thought I'd try again as my tastes in films has definitely evolved since then. Unfortunately, while I appreciate much of the film, I still don't see it as the artistic masterpiece some proclaim it to be. On the positive side, director Gilliam made a film that is very unique--something you'd never see Hollywood make. I can respect that as well as the film's unusual artistry. However, at the same time, I was disturbed by the mountain of cash that was infused into this story, as you probably could have made ten very good films for the same cost! Yes, it was beautiful to see the scenes of Jonathan Pryce as an Icarus-like flying man and the city scenes were quite impressive but the story itself was a bit dead and overlong. To me it seems very ironic that many consider this an "art film", but like most Hollywood productions, the film put so much energy on the visuals and special effects that the story itself seemed a bit irrelevant at times.

Overall, it's an amazing film to see but one that left me feeling a bit empty. Despite Gilliam's very public protests about his film being cut to pieces by the studio, on the studio's behalf I must say that the director's cut was too long, too disjoint and simply cost too much. With the funds at Gilliam's disposal, it's really no surprise that this film looks good, but as for me, give me a little film with characters I can connect with instead. To make a comparison, I just saw a small independent film, JANICE BEARD, and I enjoyed it much more than BRAZIL yet it probably cost about 1/20 or less to make!

I like Terry Gilliam, I appreciate his style and I like his films. As much as I am fond of Time Bandits and The Adventures of Baron Manchausen, two childhood favourites, and also Twelve Monkeys, I consider Brazil Gilliam's masterpiece.

On a visual and technical level, Brazil is outstanding. The cinematography and effects are well and truly exemplary, as is the make up, but I loved the authentic sound and the genuine atmosphere Brazil exuded.

Michael Kamen is a composer that I have a lot of respect for, and Brazil is no exception. His score is both of beautiful and haunting quality and really helps to enhance the atmosphere. The story does have a simplicity and complexity, it has a wonderful idea, has something to say and explores it well.

The script also impresses. It is thoughtful and deep, but it also has its funny moments of the subtle kind. Gilliam's direction is superb too. The acting is really tremendous. I loved Robert DeNiro, Ian Richardson and Jim Broadbent here and Kim Griest gives a performance of considerable depth avoiding any signs of blandness, but the picture acting-wise belongs to Jonathan Pryce. Pryce is just superb in this film, and while he has done a lot of solid work such as Regeneration, The Ploughman's Lunch and The Adventures of Baron Manchausen I think the role of Sam Lowry from Brazil is his best performance.

I can understand why some mayn't like Brazil. It is a lengthy movie, people might find they like the idea but find there isn't enough to say or they even mayn't like Gilliam and his style. I will admit I did find myself frustrated on first viewing three years ago, loving the idea but found myself confused, but now I both love and appreciate Brazil and not only consider it Gilliam's masterpiece but also one of the better movies of the 80s.

Overall, outstanding but perhaps not a movie you should see just once. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This masterwork from Terry Gilliam is by far the director's best work - forget the overrated TWELVE MONKEYS - and the highpoint of actor Jonathan Pryce's career. As to be expected from an ex-MONTY PYTHON member, this is bizarre and unusual stuff that demands concentration, and a truly unique piece of work. At its heart, the film is a black comedy that mocks modern society - by setting it in the future, Gilliam is able to exaggerate the flaws of '80s society and follow them through to an extreme but logical conclusion - as well as having all kinds of outlandish humour to enjoy. Elements of adventure, action, romance and horror are mixed expertly into the proceedings and every minute of this two hour-plus film is gripping.

At its heart, the film is a satirical adaptation of Orwell's 1984, except far more complex - multiple viewings are demanding to fully appreciate Gilliam's masterpiece. Everything about the film is flawless - the music, the acting, the visuals, the twists and turns of the story. Sitting here now, a day after viewing the film, I can't think of a single fault with it. At first the running time put me off (I'm not a fan of long films at all) but it couldn't be shortened in any way. Animator Gilliam has created some unique and often stunning visuals for his movie. Take for example the exotic dream sequences are incredible stuff. The cityscape couldn't be any bleaker - a grey mess, full of rotting rubbish in corners and brainwashed people going through the exact same motions every single day. The humour comes frequent, ranging from in-jokes with the characters to blackly humorous stuff (the coffin/corpse sequence is very dark indeed, but hilarious) and is always spot on.

Jonathan Pryce is a revelation as Sam Lowry, and his performance reminds me of John Cleese's turn in the much smaller-scale CLOCKWISE - that of a man gradually driven out of his mind by circumstance until he ends up a lunatic. The supporting cast of British veterans is wonderful, with cameos from the likes of Jim Broadbent, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Peter Vaughan, Ian Richardson and Ian Holm. Robert De Niro in particular shines as a crazy terrorist plumber called Archibald "call me Harry" Tuttle. BRAZIL is an often surprising and breathtaking movie - every scene screams expense and style, you'll believe that Gilliam had no limit to the money he spent on making it all work. An epic of a movie, which should be required viewing for all movie watchers as one of the most offbeat and weird works of genius ever put on screen.