Review of The Boys from Brazil (1978) by Timothy M — 14 Aug 2004

[font=Century Gothic][color=darkorchid]The plot is as follows: Josef Mengele, the infamous Nazi doctor played by Gregeory Peck, has cloned 94 Hitlers. All of the Hitler clones are now 14, and in an attempt to recreate a seminal event in the original Hitler's life; he must now kill all of the fathers who are raising the clones since Hitler's father died when he was 14. A Jewish doctor, played by Laurence Olivier, discovers part of the scheme and investigates to find out more.[/color][/font].

[color=#9932cc]I was only 4 when this movie was made, so it is hard to put it in cinematic context. As science fiction it is dated. However, that doesn't bother me, after all the movie is 26 years old. The science in the movie will provide a few giggles for the modern audience, but it was not ridiculous for its time. [/color].

[color=#9932cc]On the other hand, the premise must have been funny even in 1978. There are holes in the plot big enough to drive an El Camino through. First, Josef Mengele was on the run from Israeli authorities for nearly 30 years, making it difficult for him to plan any cloning experiments (also he fled to Argentina, not Brazil)[/color][color=#9932cc]. Second, why 94 Hitler clones? Why not 37 or 106? Wouldn't one or two have been sufficient? None of that is ever explained. Third, none of the other circumstances that surrounded the original Hitler's childhood are ever addressed. Losing a father would have been traumatic, but certainly not enough to create the genocidal maniac that Hitler became.[/color].

[color=#9932cc]That said, the actors are good (though not at their best). If the movie is viewed in [u]Mystery Science Theater[/u] fashion, it is fun to watch. I give it 4/10 tomatoes.[/color].