The movie is about the adventures (or lack thereof) of a Mr. Sam Lowry. He lives at some point presumbly in the future, although it's never really cleared. He works for the ministry of information, basically a center for pointless heaps of paperwork. His mother won't stop bothering him for not accepting the promotions she gets for him by pulling strings in the administration. Sam is trying to live a life without being noticed. But his real life is in his dreams, where he is an angel and a knight in shining armor both was he fights a samurai who represent technology. But then, things begin to fall apart. He gets involved in a situation where the ministry accidentaly tortured and killed the wrong person due to a type, he meets an outlaw heating engineer named Archibald Tuttle, and then, he finally meets up with the woman of his dreams, and prombtly discovers she's a terrorist.

This movie is one of the most imiginative ever made, with every corner of the screen filled with bizarre things to behold. Gilliam is clearly obsessed with detail and he has given us a film that must be watched again and again just to pick everything up.

When Brazil was first released, Universal president Sid Sheinberg saw it and obviously saw that it wasn't going to be immediately loved by mainstream america. He came up with some BS excuse that he was just trying to "improve a little on an otherwise excellent film", and then proceeded to drastically cut the movie down, making it so that the good guys win, individuality prevails, and there is such a thing as a pure and healthy place in this world. Called "The Love Conquers All" version, it is a complete and utter piece of crap. The whole point of the movie is now gone. It makes no sense, and just infuriates you. This version is sometimes shown on syndicated television.

All of this is very well documented on the Criterion Collection DVD of Brazil, which is probaly the single greatest dvd ever produced. It is actually three discs, the first one being a really nice digital transfer of the fhe film, with optional commentary by Gilliam. The second disc is basically short little movies about the making of the movie and the fight to release un bastardized and conecptual sketches and story boards and different drafts of the script and more information than you ever really need to know about one movie. Then, on the third disk, we have the "Love Conquers All" version, with commentary by critic David Morgan. Really, pick this DVD up, it is very much worth it.

SAM LOWRY: So, how are the twins?
JACK LINT: Triplets.
SAW LOWRY: Oh my...how time flies.

ARRESTING OFFICER: Okay. Here is your receipt for your husband, and here is my receipt, for your receipt. Merry christmas.

HARRY TUTTLE: I came into this game for the action, the excitement. Go anywhere, travel light, get in, get out, wherever there's trouble, a man alone. Now they got the whole country sectioned off, you can't make a move without a form.

SPOOR: You rang sir.
SAM LOWRY: What?
SPOOR: Something about a problem with your air conditioner?
DOSWER: ...your air conditioner sir?
SAM LOWRY: Oh yeah, that. Well, that, uh...it fixed itself.
SPOOR: Oh yeah?
SAM LOWRY: Yeah.
SPOOR: Well, they don't fix themselves.
DOWSER: ...no, they don't fix themselves.

GUARD: Don't hold out son. Confess quickly! You could jeopardize your cedit rating.

SHIRLEY: Oh, don't worry, it's allright. I don't like you either.

SAM LOWRY: Shit.
HARRY TUTTLE: We're all in it together kid.

-"Central Services. We do the work, you do the pleasure!"

-"This is your receipt for your husband, and here is my reciept, for your receipt."

-"Er I Am, JH. The ghost in the machine."

-Horrific.

-"Wasting ministry time and money."

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