Brazil (thing)

The song that started it all (except for maybe the country) is entitled 'Aquarela do Brasil' (which Babelfish tells me means 'Watercolor of Brazil' in Portuguese, and is also the title of a mini-telenovela, according to adamk) and was written by Ary Barroso (I've also seen the title spelt in numerous sources as "Acuarela de Brasil", the Spanish translation, or some mutation thereof). Though versions vary, here are the most widely accepted words to the most important song ever.

(thanks to CodeMaster and e-anorexia for the title and language correction)

Brazil
Where hearts were entertaining June
We stood beneath an amber moon
And softly murmured,
"Someday soon."

We kissed
And clung together

Then
Tomorrow was another day
The morning found us miles away
With still a million things to say

Now
When twilight dims the skies above
Recalling thrills of our love
There's one thing that I'm certain of:
Return I will to old Brazil.

There you have it, folks. Hope, desperation, love, and redemption, all in a simple, beautiful little song. Some of the finest artists in the world (and, admittedly, some mediocre ones as well) have honored this song's simple complexity. They just don't write 'em like this anymore. I've heard this song in a variety of styles, from shoegazer to techno to disco to the more traditional jazz or samba versions.

Brazil (the movie) is named after the song, and has many thematic parallels with the tune, chiefly notable in how the score is constructed (most of the music in the film is a reinterpretation of the base melody of 'Brazil' through different instruments or moods). Besides, 'Brazil' makes a better title than the original 'Ministry of Terror'.

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Also, as a service to the wide world of consumer nations out there, a review of the Criterion DVD set:

Brazil - 1985 (DVD version release: 1999) - Director: the indefatigable Terry Gilliam

Running Time: 142 minutes. Color. Not Rated.

A three DVD set, of which the Special Features include:

• Disc One: "The Final Cut"
  • Audio commentary by Terry Gilliam
  • A beautiful transfer with digitally restored optical effects, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and a remastered Dolby stereo surround soundtrack
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
• Disc Two: "The Production Notebook"
  • What is "Brazil"?, Rob Hedden's 30-minute on-set documentary
  • The Battle of Brazil: A Video History, an original 60-minute Criterion documentary by Jack Mathews
  • Screenwriters Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown on the script
  • Production designer Norman Garwood on the look of Brazil
  • Costume designer James Acheson on the couture of fantasy and fascism
  • Storyboards for Gilliam's original dream sequences, many of which didn't make it into the film
  • Composer Michael Kamen unveils the sources of his score
  • A study of the special effects includes raw footage of unfinished effects
  • Theatrical trailer, plus publicity and production stills.
• Disc Three: The "Love Conquers All" version
  • A 94-minute cut of Brazil which includes all the changes that Gilliam refused to make, from the alternate opening to the controversial happy ending
  • Audio commentary by "Gilliam expert" David Morgan

Dolby Digital surround sound, 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

Brazil is my favorite movie, and this amazing set from Criterion fully demonstrates the power and necessity of this film. The production disc is enveloping, providing some cool facts about the film (it was originally entitled "Ministry of Terror") and some nifty footage of unused special effects, like a city of eyeballs.

The film itself is, of course, awe-inducing. A faithful transfer provides Gilliam's vision with ferocious clarity.

On the morbid curiosity end of the spectrum, a butchered, made for TV version is also included. This abomination cuts forty-eight minutes from the definitive version of the film, attempting to dumb down the work into a greyish paste fit for mass consumption. Thankfully, it flubbed.

This collection sets the standards for DVD releases. Brazil has its detractors, but it's hard not to be impressed by this set.

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