A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jonathan Pryce | ... |
Sam Lowry
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| Robert De Niro | ... |
Harry Tuttle
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| Katherine Helmond | ... |
Mrs. Ida Lowry
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| Ian Holm | ... |
Mr. Kurtzmann
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| Bob Hoskins | ... |
Spoor
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| Michael Palin | ... |
Jack Lint
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| Ian Richardson | ... |
Mr. Warrenn
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| Peter Vaughan | ... |
Mr. Helpmann
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| Kim Greist | ... |
Jill Layton
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| Jim Broadbent | ... |
Dr. Jaffe
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| Barbara Hicks | ... |
Mrs. Terrain
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| Charles McKeown | ... |
Lime
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| Derrick O'Connor | ... |
Dowser
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| Kathryn Pogson | ... |
Shirley
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| Bryan Pringle | ... |
Spiro
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| Sheila Reid | ... |
Mrs. Buttle
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John Flanagan | ... |
T.V. Interviewer / Salesman
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Ray Cooper | ... |
Technician
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Brian Miller | ... |
Mr. Buttle
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Simon Nash | ... |
Boy Buttle
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Prudence Oliver | ... |
Girl Buttle
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| Simon Jones | ... |
Arrest Official
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| Derek Deadman | ... |
Bill - Dept. of Works
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| Nigel Planer | ... |
Charlie - Dept. of Works
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| Terence Bayler | ... |
T.V Commercial Presenter
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| Gorden Kaye | ... |
M.O.I. Lobby Porter
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Tony Portacio | ... |
Neighbour in Clerk's Pool
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Bill Wallis | ... |
Bespectacled Lurker
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| Winston Dennis | ... |
Samurai Warrior
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Toby Clark | ... |
Small Sam Double
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Diana Martin | ... |
Telegram Girl
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| Jack Purvis | ... |
Dr. Chapman
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Elizabeth Spender | ... |
Alison / 'Barbara' Lint
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| Antony Brown | ... |
Porter - Information Retrieval
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| Myrtle Devenish | ... |
Typist in Jack's Office
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Holly Gilliam | ... |
Holly
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John Pierce Jones | ... |
Basement Guard
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| Ann Way | ... |
Old Lady with Dog
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| Don Henderson | ... |
First 'Black Maria' Guard
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Howard Lew Lewis | ... |
Second 'Black Maria' Guard
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Oscar Quitak | ... |
Interview Official
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| Harold Innocent | ... |
Interview Official
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| John Grillo | ... |
Interview Official
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Ralph Nossek | ... |
Interview Official
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| David Gant | ... |
Interview Official
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| James Coyle | ... |
Interview Official
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Patrick Connor | ... |
Cell Guard
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| Roger Ashton-Griffiths | ... |
Priest
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| Russell Grant | ... |
Young Gallant at Funeral
(as Russell Keith Grant)
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Mark Holmes | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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Lynne Brotchie | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
(as Lyn Brotchie)
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| Janet Hampson | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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Judith Morse | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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Jo Phillips | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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Connie Thomas | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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| Sue Hodge | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
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Noel Butler | ... |
Performer: 'Forces Of Darkness'
(as Noël Butler)
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Christopher Barr | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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Ray Hatfield | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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Paul Hillier | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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| Saul Jephcott | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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Colin Stepney | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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David Straun | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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Paul Waller | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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Rojer Whieldon | ... |
Performer: The 'Expediters'
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Nicole Appleton | ... |
Girl in department store (uncredited)
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Frances Baker | ... |
Party Guest (uncredited)
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Russell Brook | ... |
Suitor (uncredited)
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Les Conrad | ... |
Servant (uncredited)
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Sadie Corre | ... |
Midget Woman (uncredited)
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Margarita Doyle | ... |
Answering Machine (uncredited) (voice)
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Dominic Ffytche | ... |
Office Boy (uncredited)
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Terry Forrestal | ... |
Running Trooper (uncredited)
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| Terry Gilliam | ... |
Smoking Man at Shangri-La Towers (uncredited)
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John Hasler | ... |
Naughty Little Boy (uncredited)
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| Frank Jakeman | ... |
Stormtrooper (uncredited)
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| Sergio Kato | ... |
Interview Official (uncredited)
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Ronald Nunnery | ... |
Man in Street (uncredited)
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Henry Roberts | ... |
Man in Street (uncredited)
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| Peter Sands | ... |
Ida's Boyfriend (uncredited)
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| Guy Standeven | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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| Fred Wood | ... |
Giant Man with Bottle (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Terry Gilliam | ||
Written by
| Terry Gilliam | ... | (screenplay by) & |
| Tom Stoppard | ... | (screenplay by) & |
| Charles McKeown | ... | (screenplay by) |
| Charles Alverson | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Patrick Cassavetti | ... | co-producer |
| Arnon Milchan | ... | producer |
| Sid Sheinberg | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Michael Kamen | ... | (original music by) |
Cinematography by
| Roger Pratt | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Julian Doyle | ||
Editorial Department
| Cilla Beirne | ... | editing assistant |
| Peter Compton | ... | editing assistant |
| Margarita Doyle | ... | editing assistant |
| Keith Lowes | ... | editing assistant |
| Roya Salari | ... | editing assistant |
Casting By
| Irene Lamb | ||
Production Design by
| Norman Garwood | ||
Art Direction by
| John Beard | ||
| Keith Pain | ||
Costume Design by
| James Acheson | ||
Makeup Department
| Elaine Carew | ... | hairdressing / make-up |
| Sallie Evans | ... | hairdressing / make-up |
| Meinir Jones-Lewis | ... | hairdressing (as Meinir Brock) / make-up (as Meinir Brock) |
| Sandra Shepherd | ... | hairdressing / make-up |
| Aaron Sherman | ... | prosthetic makeup artist |
| Maggie Weston | ... | hair designer / make-up designer |
| Maralyn Sherman | ... | prosthetic makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Linda Bruce | ... | unit manager |
| Graham Ford | ... | production manager |
| Chantal Perrin | ... | production manager: French unit (as Chantal Perrin-Cluzet) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Richard Coleman | ... | third assistant director |
| Julian Doyle | ... | second unit director |
| Terence Fitch | ... | additional assistant director |
| Christopher Newman | ... | additional assistant director |
| Chris Thompson | ... | second assistant director |
| Guy Travers | ... | assistant director |
| Kevin Westley | ... | additional assistant director |
| Derek Harrington | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Bernard Allum | ... | graphic artist |
| Lee Apsey | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Michael Bacon | ... | prop man |
| George Ball | ... | prop master |
| Françoise Benoît-Fresco | ... | assistant art director: French unit (as Françoise Benoit) |
| Peter Benson | ... | standby prop |
| Gordon Billings | ... | prop man |
| Dennis Bosher | ... | assistant art director |
| Dennis Bovington | ... | chargehand carpenter |
| Stephen Bream | ... | draughtsman |
| Anthony Cain | ... | sign writer (as Tony Cain) |
| Stan Cook | ... | dressing prop chargehand |
| Ron Cowan | ... | drapes |
| Tom Davies | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Gary Dawson | ... | prop master |
| Belinda Edwards | ... | production buyer |
| John Frankish | ... | art department assistant |
| Andrew Garnet-Lawson | ... | scenic artist (as Andrew Lawson) |
| Maggie Gray | ... | set dressing designer |
| Alan Grenham | ... | construction stand-by |
| Stephen Hargreaves | ... | construction stand-by |
| Richard Harris | ... | construction stand-by |
| Craig Hillier | ... | assistant construction manager |
| Denis Hopperton | ... | standby prop chargehand |
| Michael Jones | ... | supervising painter |
| John Martin | ... | construction stand-by |
| John Murphy | ... | chargehand plasterer |
| Colin Osgood | ... | construction stand-by |
| Tony Rimmington | ... | draughtsman |
| Dave Scutt | ... | graphic artist |
| Steve Tranfield | ... | supervising plasterer (as Stephen Tranfield) |
| Peter Verard | ... | construction manager |
| Christine Vincent | ... | art department research |
| Barry Vine | ... | construction stand-by |
| Peter Wallis | ... | prop man |
| Kenneth Welland | ... | chargehand painter (as Ken Welland) |
| David Wicks | ... | supervising plasterer |
| Dave Wiggins | ... | supervising rigger |
| Ronald Lenoir | ... | chargehand rigger (uncredited) |
| Steve Pugh | ... | stagehand (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Paul Carr | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Bob Doyle | ... | sound recordist |
| Rodney Glenn | ... | sound editor |
| Barry McCormick | ... | editor: footsteps |
| Rosie Straker | ... | boom operator |
| Clive Copland | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Ron Burton | ... | special effects buyer |
| Terence J. Cox | ... | special effects assistant (as Terence Cox) |
| Martin Gant | ... | special effects technician |
| George Gibbs | ... | special effects supervisor |
| Darrell Guyon | ... | special effects runner |
| Ray Hanson | ... | special effects technician |
| Ernest Hill | ... | special effects assistant |
| Bob Hollow | ... | special effects technician (as Robert Hollow) |
| Dave Knowles | ... | special effects assistant |
| David McCall | ... | special effects technician (as Dave McCall) |
| Tim Willis | ... | special effects runner |
| David Harris | ... | pyrotechnician (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Peter Aston | ... | model vehicle |
| Ray Caple | ... | matte artist |
| Valerie Charlton | ... | model maker |
| Richard Conway | ... | model effects supervisor |
| Ira Curtis-Coleman | ... | video consultant (as Ira Curtis Coleman) |
| Julian Doyle | ... | effects photography / model photography |
| Nick Dunlop | ... | opticals effects |
| Brian Higgins | ... | construction stand-by: effects / construction stand-by: models |
| Kent Houston | ... | opticals effects |
| David Jones | ... | construction stand-by: effects / construction stand-by: models |
| Stefan Lange | ... | opticals effects (as Neil Sharp) |
| Iain Lowe | ... | construction stand-by: effects / construction stand-by: models |
| Bill McMinimee | ... | construction manager: dreams / construction manager: models |
| Richard Morrison | ... | opticals effects |
| Tim Ollive | ... | opticals effects |
| Roger Pratt | ... | effects photography / model photography |
| Stanley W. Sayer | ... | blue screen consultant (as Stanley Sayer) |
| Keith Short | ... | modeller |
| Tim Spence | ... | effects photography / model photography |
| Robert Voysey | ... | construction stand-by: effects (as Bob Voisey) / construction stand-by: models (as Bob Voisey) |
| Dennis Wraight | ... | construction stand-by: effects / construction stand-by: models |
| John Wright | ... | construction stand-by: effects / construction stand-by: models |
| Jim Michaels | ... | visual effects artist (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Vic Armstrong | ... | stunt performer |
| Tim Condren | ... | stunt performer |
| George Lane Cooper | ... | stunt performer (as George Cooper) |
| Clive Curtis | ... | stunt performer |
| Perry Davey | ... | stunt performer |
| Jim Dowdall | ... | stunt performer |
| Terry Forrestal | ... | stunt performer |
| Tex Fuller | ... | stunt performer |
| Martin Grace | ... | stunt performer |
| Frank Henson | ... | stunt performer |
| Nick Hobbs | ... | stunt performer |
| William Hobbs | ... | fight arranger: samurai (as Bill Hobbs) |
| Billy Horrigan | ... | stunt performer (as Bill Horrigan) |
| Wayne Michaels | ... | stunt performer |
| Dinny Powell | ... | stunt performer |
| Greg Powell | ... | stunt performer |
| Terry Richards | ... | stunt performer |
| Tip Tipping | ... | stunt performer |
| Chris Webb | ... | stunt performer |
| Bill Weston | ... | stunt arranger |
Camera and Electrical Department
| David Appleby | ... | stills photographer |
| Peter Butler | ... | camera grip |
| Mark Cridlin | ... | clapper loader |
| Perry Evans | ... | electrician |
| Chuck Finch | ... | best boy |
| Jean-Yves Freess | ... | grip: French unit |
| Simon Fulford | ... | clapper loader |
| David Garfath | ... | camera operator |
| Alan Grosch | ... | electrician |
| Brian Herlihy | ... | additional camera assistant |
| John Ignatius | ... | camera assistant |
| Jean-Claude Le Bras | ... | chief electrician: French unit (as Jean-Claude Lebras) |
| Brian Martin | ... | best boy |
| Steve Parker | ... | additional camera assistant |
| John 'Porky' Rivers | ... | grip (as Porky Rivers) |
| Les Rodhouse | ... | electrician |
| Roy Rodhouse | ... | gaffer electrician |
| Bob Stilwell | ... | follow focus |
| Brian Sullivan | ... | electrician |
| Toby Tyler | ... | electrician |
| George White | ... | electrician |
| Kevin Brookner | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Margery Simkin | ... | casting director: U.S.A. |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Martin Adams | ... | costume: Samurai Warrior / costumes: Dream Sam / costumes: Forces of Darkness |
| Anthony Black | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Vin Burnham | ... | costumes: Dream Sam / costumes: Forces of Darkness |
| Jamie Courtier | ... | costumes: Dream Sam / costumes: Forces of Darkness |
| Jean Fairlie | ... | wardrobe mistress |
| Annie Hadley | ... | costume: Samurai Warrior |
| Gilly Hebden | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Ray Scott | ... | costumes: Dream Sam / costumes: Forces of Darkness |
| Joyce Stoneman | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Frank Vinall | ... | wardrobe master |
| Colin Wilson | ... | wardrobe assistant |
Location Management
| Yves Dutheil | ... | location manager: French unit (as Yves Duteil) |
| Hamish Scott | ... | location research |
Music Department
| Ray Cooper | ... | music co-ordinator |
| Andy Jackson | ... | additional music recording |
| Skaila Kanga | ... | musician: harp (uncredited) |
| National Philharmonic Orchestra | ... | music performed by |
| Eric Tomlinson | ... | music recording |
| Pete Beachill | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Haydn Bendall | ... | music engineer (uncredited) |
| Ray Cooper | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Vic Fraser | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| Michael Johns | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| Michael Kamen | ... | arranger (uncredited) / conductor (uncredited) / music producer (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Sidney Sax | ... | musician: violin solo (uncredited) / orchestral fixer (uncredited) |
| E.C. Woodley | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Penny Eyles | ... | script supervisor |
| Elaine Matthews | ... | trainee: continuity (as Melanie Matthews) |
Additional Crew
| Margaret Adams | ... | production co-ordinator |
| Alan Arnold | ... | publicist |
| Laurence Bodini | ... | production runner |
| Lesley Broderick | ... | assistant accountant |
| Terry Connors | ... | production accountant |
| Nick Dunlop | ... | titles |
| Geoff Freeman | ... | publicist |
| Mark Holmes | ... | arranger: 'Forces Of Darkness] |
| Kent Houston | ... | titles |
| Sally Kinnes | ... | post-production assistant |
| Stefan Lange | ... | titles (as Neil Sharp) |
| Judith May | ... | cashier |
| Arnon Milchan | ... | presenter |
| Richard Morrison | ... | titles |
| Tim Ollive | ... | titles |
| Katy Radford | ... | secretary: director / secretary: producer |
| Matthew Scudamore | ... | production runner |
| Heather Seymour | ... | choreographer: The 'Expediters' |
| Lisa Weston | ... | publicity liaison |
| Margarita Doyle | ... | assistant: Terry Gilliam (uncredited) |
| Sarah Teboul | ... | accounting assistant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Twentieth Century Fox (1985) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures (1985) (United States) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Argentina (1985) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox (1985) (Brazil) (theatrical) (as 20th Century Fox)
- Fox Columbia TriStar Films (1985) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Fox Film (1985) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Fox Films (1985) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Oy Europa Vision AB (1985) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1985) (France) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1985) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment (1985) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- 20th Century Fox India (1986) (India) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1986) (Japan) (theatrical)
- CBS/Fox (1986) (Argentina) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1986) (West Germany) (VHS)
- MCA Home Video (1986) (United States) (VHS) (pan and san)
- Thorn EMI Video Australia (1986) (Australia) (video)
- Showtime Video (1988) (Finland) (VHS)
- MCA Television (1989) (United States) (tv)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (Argentina) (VHS)
- TV3 (1990) (Finland) (tv)
- Weintraub Entertainment Group (Japan) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (Japan) (video) (laserdisc)
- TNT (1996) (United States) (tv)
- Cinequanon (1997) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1999) (Finland) (tv)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2002) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Italy) (DVD) (director's cut)
- Geneon Entertainment (2003) (Japan) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Süddeutsche Zeitung (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- FS Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Movie Plus (2007) (Japan) (tv)
- Nelonen (2008) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2012) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2012) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2013) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Film4 (2016) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Alambique Destilaria de Ideias (2017) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Disney+ (2022) (United Kingdom) (video) (VOD) (Star)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (Czechia)
- Flashstar Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (United States) (laserdisc)
- The Criterion Collection (United States) (laserdisc)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (United Kingdom) (video)
Special Effects
- Peerless Camera Company (opticals effects)
Other Companies
- Abbey Road Studios (music recorded at)
- British Leyland Motors (with special thanks to: for supplying Jill Layton's truck)
- DCA Design International (special props)
- DCA Design International (special vehicles)
- Descriptive Video Works (descriptive video)
- Elizabeth Bardsley & Associates (rights and clearances)
- Joe Dunton & Company (camera equipment)
- Kodak (with special thanks to)
- Lee Lighting (lighting equipment)
- London Docklands Development (with special thanks to)
- Mayflower Recording (adr recording)
- Morris Angel & Son (costumes supplied by)
- National Philharmonic Orchestra (music performed by)
- Peerless Camera Company (titles)
- Roger Cherrill (sound re-recording)
- S.B. International (publicity liaison)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) is a harried technocrat in a futuristic society that is needlessly convoluted and inefficient. He dreams of a life where he can fly away from technology and overpowering bureaucracy, and spend eternity with the woman of his dreams. While trying to rectify the wrongful arrest of one Harry Buttle (Brian Miller), Lowry meets the woman he is always chasing in his dreams, Jill Layton (Kim Greist). Meanwhile, the bureaucracy has fingered him responsible for a rash of terrorist bombings, and Sam and Jill's lives are put in danger.
Written by Philip Brubaker |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It's only a state of mind. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $15,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Terry Gilliam was asked to do a film class during the filming of this movie at the University of Southern California. Terry agreed, and took advantage of the situation by preparing to bring an "audio visual aid", which was his cut of the movie, which would have been allowed. Unfortunately, two days before the event, students advertised a free screening of the movie. When he arrived, it was announced that Universal Pictures would not allow him to show it. During his speech to the class, he was interrupted by studio executives' phone calls. They eventually allowed him to show a clip. He showed the entire movie, and repeated the screenings for over two weeks. It was during one of these screenings, that Los Angeles, California movie critics saw it, and awarded it the Best Picture of the Year award, which was responsible for getting it released the way Gilliam wanted it. See more » |
| Goofs | When Harry Tuttle escapes from Sam Lowry's flat, he is wearing a hood covering his head. When Harry starts to zip-line off the precipice, he is replaced by a stunt double wearing a baseball cap. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in What Is Brazil? (1985). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Hava Nagila See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The only credits at the start of the film were the preliminary studio credits, a credit for Gilliam, and the title. All other credits are at the end. (Although commonplace today, the lack of full opening credits was still unusual in 1985). All versions of the film, including the "Love Conquers All" edit follow this format. See more » |
| Quotes |
Jill Layton:
Care for a little necrophilia? Hmmm? See more » |