The Boys From Brazil

Could this be the last use of bonafide nazis as a contemporary threat in 'serious' film? It's a somewhat odd experience to witness firsthand the now-cliched South America-dwelling escaped Nazi elite. It's almost humourous to consider that this film was made some 30 years after WW2 had ended, yet still treated the Nazis as a serious threat to the entire democratic world. In fact, it would be downright ridiculous had this film not possessed such film talent as Peck and Olivier, and a certain directorial panache as well. Anyhow, on with the review...

It's the present day (the 1970s) and the hidden Nazi menace rears up to cast a shadow over the world - the Nazi elite scientist Mengele (Peck) has constructed a truly diabolical plan to spark the Fourth Reich, with numerous Nazi war criminals convening in South America to lend a hand. Their zeal and loyalty to Hitler is untarnished, and soon enough the Swastika is adorning an Aryan rally as if WW2 had yet to start. All hope is not lost though, as world-renowned Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Olivier) is tipped off regarding Mengele's plans and sets about to rid of the world of one last Nazi war criminal.

It's quite a fantastic film, possessing a sense of daring that most films are too afraid to embrace these days without employing tongue-in-cheek. The revelation at the heart of the film is a strong mix of science fiction-cum-fact and old school shock, though the idea of an environment (albeit coupled with genetics) being perfectly controllable is a little under-developed (perhaps necessarily so?) when you consider basic-level rules for scientific experiments. However, the film is slow enough in it's unveiling of it's concepts that it remains more than possible to suspend one's disbelief in the name of entertainment.

The film has a big scope but wisely underplays it, letting its strength ride on its two distinguished leads and use of impressive location work. Peck's Mengele is an ammoral, driven scientist - made frightening by Peck's imposing stature and rare performance as a villain. Oliver's Lieberman, by contrast, is an unassuming feeble fanatic, immersing himself in mundane detective work to get to the truth. Much of the film's appeal lies in its build up to the face off between the two, and the ending itself is a worthy and unnerving denouement.

The Boys From Brazil DVD

HIGHLIGHTS: Mengele's return to the hospital that spawned his plan is a somewhat spooky and unexpected montage of cold, distressing imagery.

TRIVIA: A young Steve Guttenberg can be seen as an aspiring Nazi hunter.

Laurence Olivier recieved his tenth and final Oscar nomination for his performance in this film.

The real Josef Mengele was still alive in South America whilst 'The Boys From Brazil' was being made. He died in 1979.

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