40 Years Ago Today, Sci-fi Fans Were Blessed With a Unique and Wild Movie (And It’s Aged Like Fine Wine)

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The 1980s were a great time for science fiction. After George Lucas finished the original Star Wars films and Gene Roddenberry brought Star Trek back to television, new filmmakers emerged to take their place. James Cameron quickly became a leader, directing the decade’s best sequel, Aliens, and launching his own successful franchise with The Terminator – a film that offered insightful commentary on technology and our dependence on it. However, The Terminator’s popularity and critical success overshadowed other noteworthy sci-fi movies.

Though Terry Gilliam became well-known in the ’80s, he first made a name for himself in the ’70s with imaginative fantasy films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Jabberwocky. In 1985, he switched genres, creating a science fiction film that many consider more thought-provoking than The Terminator. Even today, the film holds up remarkably well and continues to influence filmmakers.

Terry Gilliam Takes Aim at Bureaucracy in Brazil

Sam Lowry, the main character in the movie Brazil, is someone many people can relate to. He’s stuck in a boring government job where he mostly daydreams about being a hero – a hero who can fly and rescue a beautiful, mysterious woman. When a mistake at work sends him to visit a widow whose husband died in police custody, he meets her neighbor, Jill, and is shocked to realize she’s the woman from his fantasies. But things quickly become even more chaotic when Harry Tuttle, the real target of the government’s investigation, unexpectedly appears at Sam’s apartment.

Sam gradually comes to the realization that the system he’s a part of doesn’t care about him. He finds new purpose and connection through a relationship with Jill and a friendship with Harry, reigniting a passion that had long faded. However, this happiness is short-lived when the government captures Sam, killing Jill and subjecting him to torture. Just when things seem hopeless, Harry appears to rescue him, and they escape with Jill in her truck. But the film delivers a shocking twist: Sam never actually escaped and has descended into madness. The ending is devastating, suggesting a never-ending cycle. Ironically, director Terry Gilliam inadvertently created his own enduring legacy with this film, which continues to resonate with audiences today.

Brazil Continues to Act as a Blueprint for Blockbusters

Beyond its original story, Brazil is celebrated for its striking visuals and production design. It has influenced numerous films, including Super Mario Bros., Dark City, and Tim Burton’s Batman. Some filmmakers have even incorporated elements of Brazil’s plot into their own work. For instance, Rian Johnson, the director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has revealed that his film contains a couple of references to Brazil. Furthermore, The Last Jedi shares similar themes with Brazil, portraying a universe where the powerful elite readily exploit those they deem unimportant.

It’s fantastic that Terry Gilliam’s Brazil is finally gaining widespread appreciation decades after its initial release, especially considering it wasn’t a hit with audiences when it first came out. While it did reasonably well in the UK, it struggled in the United States, earning less than $10 million at the box office. Now, thanks to its inclusion in The Criterion Collection, more people are discovering and enjoying this critically acclaimed film.

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2025-12-18 21:42