The Boys From Brazil

1978, Drama, 2h 3m

32 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

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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The Boys From Brazil Photos

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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
Steve Guttenberg
Barry Kohler
David Hurst
Strasser
Jeremy Black
Jack Curry, Simon Harrington, Erich Doring, Bobby Wheelock
Bruno Ganz
Professor Bruckner
Walter Gotell
Mundt
Michael Gough
Mr. Harrington
Prunella Scales
Mrs. Harrington
Franklin J. 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)
Full Review… Pauline Kael New Yorker Full Review… Gary Arnold Washington Post Full Review… Ian Nathan Empire Magazine Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine Full Review… Augusto Martínez Torres El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Bernard Drew Gannett News Service Full Review… Tim Brayton Alternate Ending Full Review… Dustin Putman TheBluFile.com Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… David Kaplan Kaplan vs. Kaplan
View All Critic Reviews (32)

Audience Reviews for The Boys From Brazil

  • Aug 11, 2021
    Technology traditionally is always good for a scare and here that comes in the guise of that great unknown monster called cloning. Who possibly would be the scariest clone then? This light barroom entertainment consideration is taken on by Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck, who see an opportunity and dive into the deep end of overacting nirvana. One can scarcely blame them, and so they cavort and prance their time awhile upon the stage. One of the pleasures of this is watching James Mason fight rolling his eyes as Peck theatrically enjoys himself. There's fun here for that reason, ludicrous premise aside.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • 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
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