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Its story takes some dubious turns, but a high-caliber cast and a gripping pace fashion The Boys from Brazil into an effective thriller. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck) clones Hitler 95 times, and hopes to raise the resulting boys in Brazil, giving them childhoods identical to Hitler's. His ultimate plan is to create a band of Nazi leaders that can continue where Hitler left off, forming the Fourth Reich. Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier), a Nazi hunter, learns of the plan and is determined to thwart it. When the two meet face-to-face in the home of one of the Hitler clones, it is up to the boy to choose who he will assist.

Cast & Crew

Gregory Peck
Dr. Josef Mengele
Laurence Olivier
Ezra Lieberman
James Mason
Eduard Seibert
Lilli Palmer
Esther Lieberman
Uta Hagen
Frieda Maloney
John Dehner
Henry Wheelock
Rosemary Harris
Mrs. Doring
Anne Meara
Mrs. Curry
John Rubinstein
David Bennett
Denholm Elliott
Sidney Beynon
Franklin Schaffner
Director
Heywood Gould
Screenwriter
Stanley O'Toole
Producer
Martin Richards
Producer
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Critic Reviews for The Boys From Brazil

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (10)

  • This picture is another of [producer] Lew Grade's international blockbuster packages; the deals are worked out in terms of story elements that will sell and of performers with followings in as many markets as possible.

    May 28, 2019 | Full Review…

    Pauline Kael

    New Yorker

  • An impressive feat of carefully designed and modulated academic filmmaking, a class job in the tradition of Hitchcock or Wyler at their most polished.

    April 30, 2018 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post

  • Dark thriller that does its best but ultimately doesn't completely convince.

    March 27, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Ian Nathan

    Empire Magazine

  • The plot is less suspenseful than the overacting contest between the two leads, Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck, who spend most of their screen time one-upping each other in affectations.

    March 27, 2009 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader

  • With two excellent antagonists in Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, The Boys from Brazil presents a gripping, suspenseful drama for nearly all of its two hours -- then lets go at the end and falls into a heap.

    March 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety

  • The answer should have made a great thriller, but the film is sunk by a series of preposterous performances.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
View All Critic Reviews (32)

Audience Reviews for The Boys From Brazil

  • Sep 19, 2016
    Ludicrous but very entertaining, The Boys from Brazil aims to disturb but missed this mark and has an incredibly over the top and miscast Gregory Peck as the villain. Stylish direction, a rousing score and a great pace are pluses.
    Daniel P Super Reviewer
  • Jun 09, 2014
    It benefits from an intriguing mystery (though more ludicrous than disturbing), while Olivier and Peck have both their moments of excellence in a compelling thriller where they mostly seem to be in a hilarious dispute to see who overacts more and devours the whole scenery.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 05, 2014
    Exciting mystery and action. Olivier was a bit over-the-top and played up stereotypes to the hilt as an aging Nazi hunter.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 15, 2013
    Aw Greg is the antagonist here but I can't help not to say aww he's still very likable (well at least to me). His acting isn't that good but I will forgive him because he's Gregory Peck. <i>(please don't take away my Super Reviewer Badge)</i>
    Cita W Super Reviewer
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