The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 2, 2008

The latest addition to British distrib ITV and their catalog of classic cinema is Franklin J. Schaffner’s adaption of Ira Levin’s The Boys from Brazil. Completed in 1978 this is a film that combines elements from a number of different genres – sci-fi, thriller, action-adventure, comedy, and drama. A year after its premiere The Boys from Brazil was nominated in three Oscars categories (Best Actor in a Leading Role - Laurence Olivier, Best Film Editing - Robert Swink, and Best Music -Jerry Goldsmith).

The Nazi regime and the unfortunate trail it left in the history annals has always been a lucrative subject for ambitious film directors. It spurred entire genres where short on funds but determined directors created controversial films that even today have their appreciative audiences. From Tinto Brass and his sexual fantasies involving mad Nazi officials (Salon Kitty), to Liliana Cavani and her unusual take on romance (Il Portiere di note), to the purely exploitative storytelling of Don Edmonds (Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS), to the surprisingly rich nit unbelievable take on post WW2 history courtesy of Christopher Menaul’s vivid imagination (Fatherland) the swastika bearers have always been in the middle of some truly amusing cinematic projects.

The Boys from Brazil transports its viewers to post war Vienna where Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Lawrence Olivier) is contacted by a young researcher (Steve Guttenburg) from Paraguay who claims to have discovered the trails of notorious Nazi official Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck). While Ezra Lieberman is evaluating the information provided by his contact Dr. Mengele gathers a formidable group of ex-Nazi apparatchiks who are determined to rearrange the world to their liking.

Ezra Lieberman’s contact, however, is captured by the Nazis. With nothing but a few scattered leads the old man embarks on a treacherous journey to bring to justice those who miraculously evaded it after the end of the war.

The boys

Creating films where what if-scenarios are entertained with different success certainly isn’t something Hollywood has been shy about. There are countless examples in the majors’ vaults where just about any subject worthy of exploitation has been exploited with the proper degree of attention. The what if bit in The Boys from Brazil links the mad minds of a few notorious Nazis with science while speculating about what would have happened if these men were to succeed with their agendas. As such, a speculative film with enough politics and drama to entice as many viewers as it would likely turn away, The Boys from Brazil is undoubtedly a curious project. It brings together a formidable cast whose contribution provides a great deal of legitimacy to a narrative the bulk of which certainly appears to be an unlikely scenario.

The well known facts pertaining to Dr. Mengele’s experiments, however, which the film uses as a foundation for its speculations, are indeed very disturbing. Without giving away the plot I must note that the numerous attempts The Angel of Death (Dr. Mengele’s alias) unleashes to alter the genetic codes of his patients by injecting their eyes and bones with unknown chemical substances are indeed amongst some of the most horrific crimes to be addressed in mainstream cinema. And even though in The Boys from Brazil they are all veiled with plenty of adventurous subplots their tragic importance is acknowledged.

Technically, The Boys from Brazil is nothing short of spectacular. Henri Decaë’s cinematography is very pleasing providing a somewhat exotic feel to a story with more than a few factual inconsistencies. The production designs by Gil Parrondo on the other hand are absolutely flawless as they appear pivotal in key scenes where the Nazis gather to discuss their past deeds and ponder the future. Finally, the excellent soundtrack by veteran-composer Jerry Goldsmith deserves a special mention as it truly grants the film with an epic feel, one that stays with you long after all of the scattered pieces in this controversial enigma have been aligned.

The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (slightly cropped from the OAR of 1.85:1) and a strong 1080p transfer The Boys from Brazil arrives on BD as part of ITV's latest batch of titles. The actual quality of the transfer is indeed quite pleasing – there is a great deal of detail that unquestionably elevates this presentation much higher than any previous transfers that I have seen offered via SDVD. Contrast on the other hand is just as pleasing. The film's delicate composure allows for a great deal of nuanced scenes where the different locations are recreated quite convincingly (Vienna, London, Paraguay, Pennsylvania, etc). Fortunately enough there aren't any signs of DNR manipulation here either and the BD treatment truthfully preserves the film's grain structure. With this in mind, I must point again that a full-blown HD restoration for this title has not been performed. Nevertheless I find ITV's treatment to be much more pleasing than some of the highly discussed fully-restored transfers that have made it to BD where DNR has practically eliminated everything positive there is about high-definition by transforming film information into overpolished, unsatisfying, digital imagery. The Boys from Brazil boasts a different kind of transfer – it is not glossy and there are definitely areas where signs of aging are noticeable, but, it is very much respectful to the film and most of all free of external manipulation. Note: unlike what the back cover of the BD indicates (118 min) this is indeed the full and uncut 124 min version of the film.

The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

ITV offer the original English DD mono track as the only option on this BD. And I don't see any reason why fans of the film should be unhappy about it. It is a very strong mix lacking any disturbing hissing, pop-ups, or cracks. The dialog is very easy to follow and the soundtrack by Gerry Goldsmith comes off the speakers with the needed clarity for such an older film. The optional English subtitles on the other hand are very nicely done and I did not notice any spelling errors.

The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The only supplemental bit on this disc is the original theatrical trailer.

The Boys from Brazil Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

More entertaining than credible Franklin J. Schaffner's The Boys from Brazil will certainly appeal to those who like their cinema with a splash of sensationalism. There is a familiar theme here that obviously encouraged many film directors to use their imagination and produce some fascinating works. How well The Boys from Brazil, however, fares with audiences some thirty years later will more than likely depend on one's willingness to believe the unbelievable. The rest is easy.