The Boys from Brazil
The Boys from Brazil

Movie spotlight

The Boys from Brazil

1978
Movie
125 min
English

Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman discovers a sinister and bizarre plot, masterminded by Dr. Josef Mengele, to rekindle the Third Reich.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users74%
Director: Franklin J. SchaffnerGenres: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror, Drama

Plot Summary

In this chilling thriller, a Nazi hunter in Brazil uncovers a sinister plot by former SS officers to clone Adolf Hitler. Led by the ruthless Dr. Josef Mengele, the plot aims to create multiple Hitlers who will be raised in different countries to sow chaos and establish a Fourth Reich. The hunter, Ezra Lieberman, must race against time to expose and stop the plan before it succeeds, facing Mengele in a final, deadly confrontation.

Critical Reception

The film received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for the performances of Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier. While some critics found the plot implausible, others were captivated by its suspenseful nature and disturbing premise. It was seen as a significant, albeit controversial, thriller of its time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Gregory Peck delivers a chilling performance as the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele.

  • Laurence Olivier provides a compelling portrayal of a determined Nazi hunter.

  • The film is a suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller with a disturbing premise.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a gripping and suspenseful thriller, appreciating the strong performances, especially from the lead actors. Some viewers noted the disturbing nature of the subject matter but acknowledged its effectiveness as a cinematic experience.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actor for Laurence Olivier and Best Original Score for Jerry Goldsmith.

Fun Fact

Laurence Olivier, who was ill during much of the filming, actually performed his scenes using a wig and makeup to conceal the fact that he was losing his hair due to a debilitating disease at the time.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Imaginative conspiracy thriller involving escaped German war criminals_** A discredited Nazi-hunter in Vienna (Laurence Olivier) slowly learns of a plot to resurrect the Third Reich spearheaded by a mad geneticist, who’s conducting ex...

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I recall the first time I saw this - aged ten, or so, and been terrified by the ending... Laurence Olivier is "Lieberman", a Nazi hunter who is given some detailed information from a very young Steve Guttenburg ("Kohler") that his long soug...