
The Boys from Brazil
dir. Franklin J. Schaffner
65
8 sourcesSynopsis
Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman discovers a sinister and bizarre plot, masterminded by Dr. Josef Mengele, to rekindle the Third Reich.
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.
What resonated with audiences
'The Boys from Brazil' delivers a chilling, suspenseful thriller elevated by its top-notch ensemble cast, particularly Olivier and Peck's performances, with strong supporting work from Mason, Ganz, and others. The film successfully builds tension through its gradual mystery revelation. However, most found the premise ludicrous and implausible, requiring significant suspension of disbelief. Pacing proved divisive, with some finding it sluggish while others praised its momentum. The writing received mixed reactions, with plot holes and narrative issues noted despite the engaging mystery.

Directed byFranklin J. Schaffner
StarringGregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Lilli Palmer, Uta Hagen, Steve Guttenberg
Written byHeywood Gould
CinematographyHenri Decaë
EditingRobert Swink
MusicJerry Goldsmith
The Boys from Brazil
1978 · R · 2h 5m
Drama, Mystery, Science Fiction
Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman discovers a sinister and bizarre plot, masterminded by Dr. Josef Mengele, to rekindle the Third Reich.
Our Verdict
65
'The Boys from Brazil' delivers a chilling, suspenseful thriller elevated by its top-notch ensemble cast, particularly Olivier and Peck's performances, with strong supporting work from Mason, Ganz, and others. The film successfully builds tension through its gradual mystery revelation. However, most found the premise ludicrous and implausible, requiring significant suspension of disbelief. Pacing proved divisive, with some finding it sluggish while others praised its momentum. The writing received mixed reactions, with plot holes and narrative issues noted despite the engaging mystery.
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.
