Terry Gilliam’s dystopian satire of bureaucracy run mad was filmed across England and France – with brutalist buildings and grand old houses in and around London, and a striking modern estate near Paris for its towering cityscapes.
Where was Brazil filmed?
Brazil was filmed in England – in and around London and Buckinghamshire – with a modernist estate near Paris.
Every Brazil location, explained
1
London – the city
The retro-future city used locations across London, including the ornate Debenham House in Notting Hill.
2
The studios – Wembley
Much of the film was built at studios in Wembley, London.
3
The country house – Buckinghamshire
Grand-house scenes used Mentmore in Buckinghamshire.
4
The towering estate – near Paris
The film’s brutalist cityscape used a striking modern housing estate near Paris.
Planning a visit
London and its grand houses – and the modern estate near Paris – are real, accessible pieces of Gilliam’s dystopia.
Brazil Fun Facts
1
Filmed in England and France The dystopia used London and Buckinghamshire, plus a Paris-area estate.
2
A brutalist future The film’s towering cityscape used a modern housing estate near Paris.
3
A studio battle Gilliam famously fought the studio over the film’s dark ending.
4
A retro-future look The film mixes 1940s style with a nightmarish future bureaucracy.
5
A Gilliam classic It’s one of Terry Gilliam’s most celebrated films.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Brazil filmed?
In England – in and around London and Buckinghamshire – with a modernist estate near Paris.
What is the towering city?
A striking modern housing estate near Paris.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – the London houses and the Paris-area estate are accessible.
Who directed Brazil?
Terry Gilliam.
When was it released?
1985.
