# Where hearts were entertained in June #
# We stood beneath an amber moon #
# That softly murmured someday soon #
# Someday #
# We'd kiss #
# Someday ##
# Central Services #
# We do the work, you do the pleasure ##
I want to talk to you about ducts.
Do your ducts seem old-fashioned?
Out-of-date?
Central Services' new duct designs
are now available
in hundreds of different colors
to suit your individual taste.
Hurry now, while stocks last,
to your nearest Central Services showroom.
Designer colors to suit your demanding taste.
...the Ministry of Information,
Deputy Minister Eugene Helpmann.
Good evening, David.
What do you believe
is behind this recent increase
in terrorist bombings?
Bad sportsmanship.
A ruthless minority
seems to have forgotten
certain good old-fashioned virtues.
They can't stand seeing the other fellow win.
If they played the game,
they'd enjoy life more.
There are those who maintain
that the Ministry of Information
has become too large.
In a free society,
information's the name of the game.
But the cost, Deputy Minister.
7% of the G.N.P.
I understand the taxpayers' concern.
People want value for money.
That's why we always insist on the principle
of information retrieval charges.
It's absolutely fair
that those found guilty pay for their detention
and the information retrieval procedures
used in their interrogation.
Is the government winning the battle against terrorists?
Ah, yes.
We're fielding all their strokes,
running all of them out.
We're consistently knocking them for six.
I'd say they're nearly out of the game.
The bombing campaign is in its 13th year.
Beginner's luck.
Thank you, Deputy Minister.
Thank you, David.
And a very merry Christmas to you all.
"Scrooge was better than his word.
He did it all, and more.
And to Tiny Tim, who did not die,
he became a second father.
He became as good a friend
in the good old world.
And so, as Tiny Tim observed,
God bless us, everyone."
You're giving me the runaround.
Ha ha ha!
Hey, don't throw that.
That's only for long distance.
Sorry, boys. We haven't got bacon.
Got no bacon.
Ha ha ha!
[Bells Jingle]
Who's there?
Who is that?
Father Christmas can't come if we haven't got a chimney.
You'll see.
[Distorted Synthesized Voices Shouting]
No!
[Girl Sobbing]
Under powers entrusted to me
under section 47, paragraph 7 of Council Order 438476,
Mr. Buttle, Archibald, of Shangri-la Towers,
has been invited
to assist the Ministry of Information with enquiries,
and that he's liable to certain financial obligations
as specified by Council.
Sign here, please.
Mmm! Mmm!
Let go of him!
Where are you taking him?
There.
Thank you.
Same again, please.
There.
Press harder this time.
Good.
What is this all about?
That's your receipt for your husband.
Here's my receipt for your receipt.
Are you OK?
We're Department of Works.
Department of Works up here.
Careful with those bloody things.
Get the hell out of here!
Don't you worry, love.
There's nothing to worry about.
It's Tuttle downstairs who can worry.
His name's Buttle.
There must be some mistake.
Mistake?
We don't make mistakes.
They've gone back to metric
without telling us.
Mrs. Buttle, are you all right?
[Gunshots]
"Buttle."
"Buttle, Archibald."
Damn!
Oh, shit!
Mister...
Mr. Lowry, would you step in here, please?
Uh...
I say...
has anybody seen Lowry?
Has anybody seen Sam Lowry?
Sam.
[Telephone Buzzes]
[Buzz Buzz]
Hello.
What?
Mr. Kurtzmann.
God... you're up late.
Is it?
The electrics here are up the spout.
Oh, yours, too?
Well, I'll be there as soon as I can.
What's this gun for?
This one, sister,
is a 9 millimeter submachine gun
used for close-quarter combat fighting.
Sam!
Jack.
Long time no see.
Hey!
What are you doing here?
What's the problem?
Problem? No problem.
Everything's fine. Wonderful. Marvelous.
Allison's in great shape.
I'm on security level five now.
It's a great year.
You sound worried.
Worried, me?
It's you I'm worried about.
Whatever happened to you?
Records?
Sam?
It's great to see you.
I'm going to be late.
Sam, your life is going wrong.
Records is a dead-end department.
It's impossible to get noticed.
I know. Wonderful.
See you, Jack.
Give my regards to Allison and the twins.
Triplets.
Triplets?
God... how time flies.
Very clear delineation of picture.
Highly mobile.
Next.
I want to report a wrongful arrest.
You want the Information Adjustment Department.
I've been there.
You have a form I need to fill out.
Got an arrest receipt?
Yeah.
Is it stamped?
Stamped?
There's no stamp here.
You can't have the form
until this is stamped.
Where is that?
Information Adjustments.
Ahem...
It's nothing.
It keeps picking up old films.
Perhaps the machine's on the blink.
There's a mismatch on the personnel code numbers.
Tuttle should've had $31 debited,
not Buttle!
A mistake!
At least it's not ours.
Isn't it? Whose then?
Information Retrieval.
Expediting is put in
for electrical procedures
for Buttle, Archibald,
shoe repair operative.
Security has invoiced
for Tuttle, Archibald,
heating engineer.
What a relief!
Well, finish your tea, son.
What? Oh, thanks.
I don't know what I'd do
if you ever got promoted.
No worry there.
But if they did promote you?
I'd turn it down.
Would you, really?
Really.
You've been promoted.
It's your mother, isn't it?
Pulling strings again.
It's time for you to accept responsibility.
Your father would be appalled
at your lack of promotion.
I wish you'd stop interfering.
I don't want promotion.
I'm happy where I am.
No, you're not.
Jack Lint's a lesson to you.
He doesn't have your brains,
but he's got the ambition.
You've got me and the deputy minister.
Now please, Mrs. Lowry,
don't get upset.
Please wait in reception.
You're giving her wrinkles.
Just try and relax.
I'll make you 20 years younger.
Dr. Jaffe, you're a genius.
Would you like to be surgeon general?
I know simply everybody.
They won't know you when I've finished.
Mmm.
First, we remove the excess derma...
so...
now the flaccid tissues
under the eyes and forehead.
Zip.
Now... I lift...
the wrinkles and worry lines
right up into the wig, into the hairline.
Now the template.
Easy.
A bit of sticky.
And already she's twice as beautiful
as she was before.
Voila!
Mr. Helpmann was close to your father. He was close to me.
Still is.
He'll take you under his wing when you get to Information Retrieval.
- Thank you, sir. - You'll like it there.
You're not listening to me, Mother.
[Alarm Blaring]
What the hell is this, lady?
It's a present for my son. Really!
I hope you like it. It's very exclusive.
What is it?
Something for an executive. [Giggles]
- Ahem. - Ah, Madame Lowry.
You look exquisite today.
Merry Christmas.
Hello, Spiro. Merry Christmas.
You remember my son Samuel.
Of course.
We're joining Mrs. Terrain.
Yes. She's waiting.
I thought we'd talk.
We will.
Oh, God!
She's with what's-her-name.
Alma, how are you?
You look wonderful!
Hello, Shirley.
Thank you, Spiro.
Salt?
Not yet.
Sam... happy Christmas.
So sorry we're late.
Thanks.
What are you going to have?
I can't decide between number one or number two.
What do you recommend?
Between you and me, number two.
Thank you, Spiro.
Shirley, what will you have?
Between you and me, number one.
Madame Lowry?
Oh, to hell with the diet.
I'll have a number eight.
A most perceptive choice, madame.
Monsieur?
Steak, please. Rare.
Monsieur, quel numero?
I don't know which number.
That one there.
That's fine. Mother...
Alma, you wicked girl.
You started your treatment.
Number?
You noticed.
Say the number!
I'll tell you about it.
Number three.
Mother, listen!
Numero...
huit!
Braised veal in wine sauce.
Mmm! Mmm!
It's too exciting.
I've left Dr. Jaffe for Dr. Chapman.
Numero deux...
duck a I'orange.
Chapman?
Excusez-moi.
The acid man?
Really, Ida!
Just because his techniques are revolutionary.
I don't call Dr. Jaffe "the knife man."
Numero un...
crevettes a la mayonnaise.
I'm sorry, Alma.
It's all right.
Steak...
numero trois!
Mesdames...
monsieur...
bon... appetit!
- Merci. - Merci.
Acid, on the other hand, can be used for such wonderful, subtle shading,
such delicate nuances,
like an etching.
And it is quicker.
If it wasn't for this complication... it could have happened to anybody...
I'd have had this dressing off yesterday.
- Mm-hmm. - Shirley.
Salt.
What were we saying?
This isn't rare.
I saw the most wonderful idea for Christmas presents
at the chemist's...
gift tokens, medical gift tokens.
That sounds marvelous!
It's good at any doctor's
and most major hospitals.
It's also accepted for gynecological examinations,
including caesarean sections.
I don't know what to say.
It never happens here.
I'll do something about it.
Really, Sam! Can't you do something
about these terrorists?
It's my lunch hour.
Besides, it's not my department.
That was one of the little things
I've been dying to tell you.
Look. Sam's been promoted to Information Retrieval.
That's wonderful!
Congratulations, Sam.
Stop it!
I'm not going to Information Retrieval!
Don't stick your oar in, Mother.
Pepper?
I've got to go.
You haven't had dessert.
I don't want dessert,
a promotion, or anything!
Of course you do.
You must have hopes, wishes, dreams!
No, nothing. Not even dreams.
Sam!
Ah, ah!
[Alarm Rings]
Oh, my God!
[Crash]
[Coughing]
Hello?
Central Services?
I'm at 579-B, block 19,
northwestern section D.
That's exit one on Green Pastures Highway.
I've got trouble with my air-conditioning.
[Recording]
Central Services cannot take service calls
between 2300 and 0900 hours.
This has not been a recording.
It's an emergency!
I've got to have a heating engineer.
Thank you for calling Central Services...
Aw, shit!
[Phone Buzzes]
[Buzz Buzz]
Hello.
[Buzz Buzz]
[Buzz]
Hello.
Hello, Mr. Lowry?
Yes, who is this?
Put the phone down, and raise your hands.
What? Who is this?
Nice and easy, now.
Nice and easy...
Keep your hands where I can see them.
What are you doing?
Harry Tuttle, heating engineer, at your service.
Tuttle?
Are you from Central Services?
I called Central Services.
They're a little overworked these days.
I intercepted your call.
You did what?
Just a minute...
What was that business with the gun?
Just a precaution, sir.
Just a precaution.
I've had traps set for me before now.
Central Services would love
to get their hands on Harry Tuttle.
Are you telling me this is illegal?
Officially, only Central Services
can touch this stuff.
Hold this, please.
But nowadays they can't get decent staff.
So they turn a blind eye,
as long as I'm careful.
If they could prove
I worked on their equipment,
that would be different.
Wouldn't it be simpler...
Hold this, please.
Wouldn't it be simpler
to work with Central Services?
Couldn't stand the paperwork.
It's getting warm.
Couldn't stand what?
The paperwork.
Your whole system could be burning,
and I couldn't do anything
without filling out a 27B-6.
Bloody paperwork.
One has to expect a certain amount.
Why?
I came into this game for the action.
Travel light, get in, get out, a man alone...
Now you can't move without a form.
Found it.
There's your problem.
Can you fix it?
No, but I can bypass it
with one of these.
That's fine by me.
[Bell Rings]
Are you expecting anyone?
No.
No!
Wait, wait!
[Ding Dong]
Shh!
[Ding Dong]
The flashlight!
Central Services.
You rang, sir?
Trouble with your air-conditioning?
Air-conditioning, sir?
No, it's all right.
It's...
It's fixed.
Fixed? Fixed?
Yes, I mean...
it fixed itself.
Fixed itself?
Ha ha ha!
Yes.
Ha ha ha!
Machines don't fix themselves.
He's tampered with it.
Sorry you've had a wasted journey.
Oh, that's all right.
I think we ought to have a little look.
Have you got a 27B-6?
A 27B-6?
27B-6...
- 6...
Now look what you've done!
Well...
have you got a 27B-6?
Not...
as such!
But we'll get one.
It's all right, it's all right.
Sorry, I'm a stickler for paperwork.
Where would we be
if we didn't follow procedures?
We'll be back.
We'll be back!
Thanks for coming.
We'll be back, you bastard!
Righty-o!
Thanks, Lowry.
You're a good man in a tight corner.
Listen, Tuttle...
I, uh...
I just happen to work
at the Ministry of Information.
What?
Well, I just happen to know
that Information Retrieval
are looking for an Archibald Tuttle,
heating engineer.
You, uh...
you wouldn't by any chance...
Would you?
My good friends call me Harry.
Information Retrieval, huh?
The big boys.
Ha ha ha!
What do they want you for?
## [Humming "Brazil"]
Time to go.
Sorry.
## [Humming "Brazil"]
You must let me give you something.
How much will it be for the work?
Oh, come on.
You did me a favor.
Just check the corridor.
Well, thanks.
Listen, kid, we're all in it together.
Go on.
Right.
OK.
All clear.
I think Kurtzmann is getting suspicious.
What's playing today?
Casablanca.
Mr. Lowry, step in here, please.
Lowry!
Damn it, Lowry!
Psst!
We're in terrible trouble!
Shh!
Look at this.
It's a check.
It's the refund for Tuttle.
Tuttle!
I mean Buttle.
It's been confusion from the start.
He's been overcharged
for Information Retrieval procedures,
and someone's trying to blame us.
Can I see?
I've never seen a refund.
I'll bet it's Jeffries.
Yes, he believes people should pay more
for their interrogation.
We must get rid of it.
Send it to somebody else.
Send it to Buttle. It's his check.
I've tried that.
Look at this.
The census has him down as dormanted.
The computer's got him down as deleted.
Hang on.
Information Retrieval has him inoperative.
Security has him as excised.
Adminstration says he's completed.
He's dead.
Dead?
Well, that's...
awful.
We'll never get rid of the thing now.
What will we do, Sam?
Could try next of kin.
Next of kin...
There we go. Buttle, Veronica, Mrs.
Veronica?
What's the check number?
271...
56789...
- O74328K.
Write into memory.
Central Banking.
Veronica Buttle...
Mrs...
Deposit.
## [Humming "Brazil"]
Thank God for that.
Would you like some tea?
[Bang Ding]
There's a problem.
She doesn't have a bank account.
That's it, then.
I might as well hang myself now.
This couldn't have happened
before this seventh tier reorganization.
That's Simmons's doing.
He and Jeffries sit together at lunch.
Bastards!
We could lose it behind a filing cabinet.
Look, there is one solution.
Drive out to Mrs. Buttle,
let her endorse the check,
and let her cash it.
That's brilliant, Sam.
I'll do it for you.
Authorize the check. What's the address?
Everything's in here.
What shall I do next?
Pink and blue receipts.
Sign there, there, and there.
I think I've broken a bone.
My wrist is all limp.
What a pathetic creature I am.
I'll do it for you.
Right. I'll be on my way.
Sam?
Hmm?
You are good to me.
Here's looking at you, kid.
Here's looking at you.
# Brazil #
# Where hearts were entertained in June #
# We stood beneath that amber moon #
We interrupt with news of a terrorist bombing...
# Brazil #
# And clung together #
# Then #
# Tomorrow was another day #
# The morning found me miles away #
# With still a million things to say #
# And now #
# When twilight beams the sky above #
# Recalling... #
Hello, could you tell me where...
Piss off!
Hello.
I'll never confess!
[Coughing]
Mrs. Buttle?
Uh... Mrs. Buttle?
Uh... are you Mrs. Buttle?
Uh...
My name's Lowry.
Uh, Sam Lowry.
Um... I'm from the Ministry of Information.
I've come to give you a check.
It's a refund, actually.
There was a mistake.
Mistake?
Yes. Not in my department. I'm only Records.
No, it, uh... I'll tell you what it is.
It seems that Mr. Buttle was overcharged by Information Retrieval.
Yes. They don't usually make mistakes,
but I suppose we're all human.
Oh!
What happened to the, um...
Actually, my coming here is rather unorthodox,
as payments are normally made through central computer,
but as there were certain difficulties,
we thought that rather than cause delay,
we'd let you have it now,
it being Christmas and all.
My husband's dead, isn't he?
I assure you, Mrs. Buttle,
the ministry is very scrupulous
about eradicating any error,
but if you have any complaints,
I'd be happy to send you the appropriate forms.
What have you done with his body?
Oh!
Gosh.
Uh... I don't know anything about that.
I'm just delivering the check.
So if you wouldn't mind signing these two receipts,
I'd be only too happy to leave you in peace.
He hadn't done anything.
He was good!
What have you done with his body?
This isn't being very helpful.
I didn't have to come here.
Aah!
Are you all right?
Mrs. Buttle, are you all right?
It's you.
Wait! Stop! Don't go! Stop!
[Explosion]
[Horn Honks]
Stop! I had nothing to do with it!
Stop!
He's coming back.
Jesus Christ!
Go away.
Her name's Jill.
What?
Jill?
Jill who?
Layton.
Jill Layton.
You're a good girl.
What are you doing here?
Waiting for my daddy.
He'll be pleased when he gets home.
I had the transport pool onto me.
Do you know about a missing personnel transporter?
Personnel transporter? What?
Oh, the pranets.
I had a personal transporter.
I'll do the paperwork tomorrow.
Um... Is it all right about Mrs. Tuttle...
Buttle's check?
Can I forget it?
Yeah.
What a relief.
I'm going to have nightmares.
Damn! Blast!
What's the matter?
Do you know how to get round an IRQ-3?
Information on third-level suspects is classified.
Inquiries through Information Retrieval.
They never tell you anything.
Come the time they want something from us, oh, yes.
There's one way round it.
I could accept my mother's promotion.
Yes.
No!
You can't. You just turned it down.
I didn't sign the form.
I did it for you.
You didn't.
I did.
You didn't!
I did.
What'd you do that for?
That's what you wanted, isn't it?
Oh, I don't know.
I don't know what I want.
Come on. Before they turn the lights out.
There's one way round it.
I could always accept promotion
to Information Retrieval.
Sam!
What are you doing?
My God! What's going on?
Emergency procedures.
I haven't got an emergency.
This is an emergency.
Have a nice day.
Here. Sign that.
What is it?
A 27B-6. What do you think?
Spoor, come here. I found it.
Spoor!
Spoor, come here.
A bypass on the transformer.
You've had that scab Tuttle here, ain't you?
What are you talking about?
Who fixed your ducts?
They fixed themselves.
Oh, yeah? Then where did this come from?
Out of your nostril, eh?
Central Services.
They don't take kindly to sabotage.
Sabotage, sir.
This place is in a terrible state.
You're not leaving it like this, are you?
Why not?
Just blow your nose, and it's fixed, isn't it?
Well...
Oh, my...
My Jesus!
What have you done with his body?
[Screeching]
[Gasping]
Yah!
[Gasping]
[Doorbell Rings]
## [Vocalizing]
# Mrs. Ida Lowry requests the pleasure of your company #
# At her apartment tonight #
# From 8:30 #
# To midnight #
# To celebrate the completion #
# Of her recent cosmetic surgery ##
## [Vocalizing]
Uh...
Thanks.
It's reply paid.
Is it?
Oh. Um...
2, 3...
# Mother, I'm sorry #
# But I'm unable to come to your party #
You don't have to sing it.
I don't?
Oh.
Aren't you late?
The party started an hour ago.
Yeah. It's the backlog. Everybody complains.
Was it all right otherwise?
Mr. Helpmann, I'm keen to get into Information Retrieval.
I'm dying to get at this woman.
Oh, God!
Hold it.
What? Who are you?
Where's your invitation?
Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Mother!
Sam, I'm so glad you came.
Come in.
Mother?
Come in.
Oh, God, Mother, is that you?
Of course. Isn't it wonderful?
The bandages came off just this afternoon.
Come, darling, join in the fun.
Simply everybody's here.
Is Mr. Helpmann here?
Yes, and he wants to talk to you.
I want to talk to him.
Nobody's ever refused a promotion before.
He thinks you need medical attention.
Actually, I've decided...
Oh, Louis! Louis, you know Sam.
Can you believe it?
Just me and my little knife.
Snip, snip.
Slice, slice.
Can you believe it?
Congratulations.
This is just the beginning.
Christ, you've seen her with her clothes off.
Faces are doddle compared to tits and ass.
Oh, really, Louis.
I've been looking for you everywhere, Ida.
Mother, I have to talk to Mr. Helpmann.
You stupid sod!
Dear boy.
What do you think of your mother now?
Lt'll never last.
Excuse me.
Dr. Chapman, did you say something?
That technique. I've tried it.
Nice effect, but highly unstable.
In six months, she'll look like Grandma Moses.
Now see here, Chapman.
At least mine don't look like they've been mugged.
Sam. Sam.
What have you done with his body?
Sam!
What's happened to you?
A little complication.
Dr. Chapman says it often happens
with delicate skin like mine.
Nothing to worry about.
These bandages will be off in a jiffy.
There's someone I want to meet...
I know. I know.
Here we are.
I'm going to leave you two lovebirds in peace.
Hello, Shirley.
Oh!
My God.
Come on.
You want a drink?
Oh... hello.
Chase those years away.
Listen, Shirley.
Your mother and my mother
seem to have the idea...
Look, I'm very flattered,
and I don't want you to...
Oh, it's all right.
I don't like you, either.
Sam.
Jack.
Excuse me, Shirley.
Oh!
I'm sorry.
Sam!
You remember Allison?
Evening.
Allison, Sam Lowry. Old friend.
Allison. Yes, of course.
You look different.
I'm two years older.
And seeing Dr. Jaffe.
She doesn't like me telling people.
I noticed the difference.
Remember how they stuck out?
What? Oh, yes. Well, rather.
I always wondered if they were real.
What, my ears?
Dr. Jaffe pinned her ears back.
Yes, that's what...
I wondered if she wore falsies.
Oh, Mr. Helpmann.
False ears.
Mr. Helpmann.
Hello, Jack.
Remember my wife?
Of course. Barbara, right? How are you?
Actually...
Barbara's very well. How are you?
Fine, thanks. Hello, Sam.
Ida said you might come.
Would you excuse us?
Of course, of course.
Come on, Allison... Barbara.
Sam.
I need your help.
Thanks so much, Sam.
I'm glad to be of help.
If I can help you...
Actually...
Your father and I were very close.
Jeremiah was senior to me,
but we were close friends,
especially after the bombing.
I keep his name alive at the office.
It's as though he's there speaking to me.
"'Ere I am...
J.H."
The ghost in the machine.
He would have wanted me to help you.
I promised your mother
I'd take you onto the team
at Information Retrieval.
But I gather that...
Well, actually, Mr. Helpmann...
I've changed my mind.
I decided I'd accept the transfer,
if I'm not too late.
Too late?
That's for me to say.
Well, then, I...
Welcome to Information Retrieval.
My name's Lowry.
Sam Lowry.
I'm reporting to Mr. Warrenn.
30th floor, sir. You're expected.
Don't you want to search me?
No, sir.
Want to see my I.D.?
No need, sir.
I could be anybody.
No, you couldn't, sir.
This is Information Retrieval.
The lift's arrived, sir.
[Shouting]
Yes. No. I want that by 7:00.
[Shouting]
Half as terrorists, rest as victims.
Mr. Warrenn!
Yes. No.
My name's Sam Lowry.
Hello, Lowry. Yes. No.
Cancel that.
OK.
Glad to have you aboard.
Yes.
Don't be ridiculous, Jenkins.
These invoices?
Yes. Yes. You'll like it here.
We've got a crack team of... Are they kidding? ...decision makers.
No. In triplicate.
I'm expecting big things. Two copies!
Between you and me, Lowry... No!
Tell records to get stuffed!
The department is being upgraded.
Ah!
Here we are.
Your very own number on your very own door.
Behind that door, your very own office.
Congratulations, DZ-015.
Welcome to the team.
Yes. No. Cancel that.
Send two copies to Finance.