Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Boys from Brazil

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This is a movie directed by Franklin J.Schaffner and came out in 1978. Based on a book of the same name by Ira Levin. It is the story about an Ex-Nazi Hunter who learns about a sinister plan to start the fourth Reich. This plan is conceived by Joseph Mengele, the chief doctor of the Nazi concentration camp Aushwitz. His plan is to kill 94 civil servants of age around 65 in the next two and half years. See the movie to know more.
This is an old school thriller were the thrill is mostly in the atmosphere and not in the visuals. Movies nowadays aim for it cheaply by retreating more to visual gore and cheap thrills. But this one is a very good example of atmospheric thriller. There is hardly much going on visually other than guys talking for the most time, but for the climax(a very interesting climax).
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I watched this movie mainly for the wonderful star cast, and the academy award nominated performance of Laurence Olivier. The acting is pure delight. Gregory Peck as the psychotic Joseph Mengele gives the creeps. Life long he played all good characters and this is one movie through which he balances all that. Laurence Olivier plays the austrian Ezra Lieberman, the Nazi Hunter, uncovering the plot. It is another one of his brilliant performances(not close to SLEUTH though). James Mason comes in a small role as the security officer for the operation.
The book would have made a real good thrilling read. For the movie, watch it mainly for the brilliant performances. Rating – 8/10

2 comments:

  1. Yep..Great watch..

    Wheelock - Now listen. I don't give doodley-shit about the Jews or Nazis.
    Mengele - Good!
    (Classic expression...creepy!)

    Scott from Patton/Anatomy of a murderer was supposed to play Mengele originally...Wonder how that would have turned out

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  2. George C.Scott would have definitely done a good job.. but for Gregory peck.. the years of playing a good guy, adds the extra villainy.. same as henry fonda's case in once upon a time in the west..

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