Episode 123 - Terry Gilliam’s Brazil

Brazil, the 1985 movie by Terry Gilliam, is a dark-comedy masterpiece that is both a spoof of Orwell’s 1984, but also a brilliant satire of mindless bureaucracy run amok. And it is one of our all-time favorite films. In the world of Brazil, if you are not part of the system, then you are part of the problem. One lonely cog in the machine, a mid-level paper pusher and daydreamer named Sam Lowry, just wants to remain anonymous - until a benign computer mix-up embroils him in a Kafka-esque nightmare to keep his free will and escape with the literal girl of his dreams. The movie’s downer ending was so misunderstood by its corporate-owned studio, Universal, that it kicked off a David and Goliath battle between Gilliam and the studio for the final cut that wound up mirroring many of the themes in the movie itself. To this day there are two versions - the original Gilliam cut and the shorter, neutered “Love Conquers All” studio cut - that present a fascinating case-study in art versus commerce. Full of astounding visuals, a great cast, and a title song you will never forget, Brazil is a groundbreaking film that has only grown in stature and influence over the decades. So watch the thing, already. | 0:00 - Intros | 6:00 - Succession (HBO) | 8:25 - They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) | 11:36 - Apple Music | 13:00 - The Gentlemen (2020) | 19:35 - Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979) | 25:15 - Sex Education (Netflix) | 28:00 - The Good Place (NBC) | 29:12 - VHYes (2019) | 32:!5 - Dark Ages: A Miracle Workers Anthology (TBS) | Clips | Scratching The Itch - Sex Cult Girl | Geoff & Maria Muldaur - Brazil | Kool & the Gang - Fresh / clip from Bridesmaids / B-Side - Change the Beat | Nicholas Britell - Succession (Main Title Theme) | Harry Carlton & J.A. Tunbridge - Mademoiselle from Armentieres | Chris Benstead - The Unique Method - The Gentlemen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | Ron Goodwin with The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra - Unidentified Flying Oddball | David Schwartz - The Good Place Opening Music | Miracle Workers Dark Ages Theme Song | Mentos Jingle / Outkast - So Fresh and So Clean / Devo - Fresh | Michael Kamen - The Office - Brazil: The Soundtrack | Michael Kamen - Ducts - Brazil: The Soundtrack | Ray Conniff - Brazil