Frequently Asked Questions

4. How do I get the version of Brazil I want to see (on laserdisc and DVD)?

The laserdisc format has made available all versions of Brazil that have been released.

If you're using a standard VCR and live in North America, you're out of luck. The VHS and Beta versions of Brazil feature only Gilliam's 132-minute theatrical release. However, various versions of Gilliam's Brazil are available on laserdisc and DVD.
      On Wednesday, October 3rd, 1996 the Voyager company proudly released the Criterion Brazil to the laserdisc-viewing public. This set is essential viewing for all Brazil fans. In addition to a new digital transfer of the film, it contains the "Final director's cut" (FV) of the film, as well as the Sheinberg "Love Conquers All" edit. It also contains:

• Video interviews with Gilliam, Charles McKeown, Michael Kamen, and most of the other players in the Brazil saga.
• A documentary by Jack Mathews, author of The Battle of Brazil
• A documentary "What is Brazil"?
• Production notebooks and stills.
• Analysis of the various drafts of Brazil's scripts.
• Storyboards of unfilmed dream sequences.
• Commentary by Terry Gilliam throughout the film Brazil

This 10-sided CAV set is a remarkable compendium of the various Brazils, and is well worth its $149 MSRP. Criterion has also released a lower-cost CLV version of the film (the FV with Director's Commentary only -- no supplements) for $49. Orders for these laserdisc versions of Brazil can be made through Criterion's web site, at http://www.criterionco.com .
      One of the interesting codas regarding Brazil is the fact that Universal/MCA Home Video delayed the release of the Criterion Brazil set for years. After Voyager (owner of the Criterion Collection) had made preliminary arrangements to obtain the rights to Brazil, they published an listing in their 1993 catalogue -- resulting in Universal/MCA pulling Voyager's rights. Only after the theatrical success of Gilliam's 12 Monkeys did Universal feel comfortable selling the rights to Brazil to Voyager again. It was worth the wait: originally slated to have 6 sides of information, the Criterion Brazil set ballooned to its full 10-sided glory.
      Brazil is available in its American Theatrical Release (AT) format on laserdisc from MCA Home Video, #40171. This disc is no longer out of print, and is common in stores.
      A Japanese laserdisc pressing of Brazil contains a transfer of the European cut of Brazil from the European EV PAL masters on Warner Home Video Japan. This version was in Dolby Surround (opposed to MCA's matrixed surround), and was available in both letterbox and full-screen versions. This disc is currently out of print. Do not ask the author of the FAQ where you can obtain a copy of this disc, as he does not know any sources who can still obtain this disc. More recently, a Japanese version of Brazil featuring Gilliam's "final cut" has appeared, but does not feature the commentary or supplements found on the Criterion set.
      Universal/MCA Home Video has released the "final cut" of Gilliam's film on DVD, #20168. The packaging of the Brazil DVD indicates that the running time is 132 minutes, which is incorrect; it is the full-length (FV) version. Regrettably, the Universal DVD does not feature any of the supplements of the Criterion set, replacing them with a revisionist "Production Notes" section which doesn't so much as mention Gilliam's fight with Universal (the Criterion set, on the other hand, devotes over two hours to this important background information).
      The version of Brazil currently available for purchase in the UK is now Gilliam's "final cut" (FV), and is presented in the widescreen format. Previously, the version available in the UK was the EV version.

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Brazil FAQ Copyright © 1994 - 1998 David S. Cowen.