Four Days in September
by Bruno Barreto
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alan Arkin, Cláudia Abreu, Fernanda Torres, Luiz Fernando Guimarães, Pedro CardosoDirector: Bruno Barreto
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Producer: Adair Roberto Carneiro
Producer: Cristina Cirne
Producer: Lucy Barreto
Producer: Lucíola Vilella
Producer: Luiz Carlos Barreto
Writer: Fernando Gabeira
Writer: Leopoldo Serran
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); Portuguese (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 110 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-04-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Miramax
Movie Reviews of Four Days in September
Movie Review: A great movie in spite of some minor inaccuracies
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie faced a lot of criticism in Brazil for the liberties it took with history. Some criticism dates back to the publication of Fernando Gabeira's book, mainly the fact that Gabeira's importance in the kidnapping is overplayed. Other survivors from the operation claim he did not write the note to the press, as the movie shows. Also, a girl did try to get information from the Ambassador's security man, but she did not spend the night with him (and those who like to spot errors may notice the fact that he calls her by her code name, René, even though she introduced herself by a different name). And one just has to read other books about those days in Brazil to realize most torturers were sick animals, not guilt-ridden human beings like the guy in the movie.In spite of all these flaws, the movie still works admirably as a snapshot of an era. I understand it was rather easy to sell this movie to the international market because Alan Arkin is in it and the event it is based on involved the kidnapping of an American ambassador. But it would be great if people all over the world could also see another movie titled "Pra Frente Brasil". The story is fictitious but inspired by actual facts: while the 1970 World Cup is taking place and the whole Brazilian population is glued to television sets, a guy is captured by mistake and tortured to death by the police. Brazil won that World Cup, so the whole country was in a celebratory mood while the horrors of repression were happening in the underground.
Summary of Four Days in September
This captivating thriller -- based on extraordinary true-life events -- was honored with an Academy Award(R) nomination! Political terrorists, in a desperate bid to focus the world's attention on their fight for freedom, kidnap an American Ambassador (Alan Arkin, AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS). Now, the diplomat's life hangs in the balance ... helplessly caught between a government unwilling to cooperate ... and his fear of the captors themselves! Directed by Bruno Barreto (A VIEW FROM THE TOP) and acclaimed by critics as one of the year's best films, FOUR DAYS IN SEPTEMBER is an explosively charged motion picture that delivers egde-of-your-seat excitement!In 1969, the democratically elected government of Brazil was toppled and a military dictatorship took its place. The junta ruled through terror and intimidation, torturing political enemies, controlling the press, and severely curtailing freedoms. A group of Che Guevara-worshipping Marxist radicals (the MR-8) plotted to kidnap an American diplomat (Alan Arkin) to force the government to meet their demands. The college radicals hooked up with two senior revolutionaries, an avuncular veteran of the Spanish Civil War and a cold, ruthlessly intense younger man who becomes their commandant. What could easily have become an overwrought drama is instead played out in understatement. The middle-class radicals falter more than once when it looks like they will indeed have to execute their captive; their counterparts in the government's secret police grapple with their consciences when it comes to torture and terror. Arkin is excellent as Charles Elbrick, the diplomat; his conversations with his abductors bring out his humanity as the deadline draws near. Overall, the film--which receieved a Best Foreign-Language Oscar nomination--has a sense of tension and claustrophobia that is as oppressive as the clammy Rio de Janeiro humidity. This is a thoughtful political drama with emotional depth, well-drawn characters, and excellent direction. (Incidentally, the radicals' commitment paid off in 1979, when Brazil's democracy was restored and all political prisoners were given amnesty.) Stuart Copeland provides the excellent score, along with '60s-period bossa nova music. --Jerry Renshaw
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