City of God is one of my favorite movies. I saw it three times in a movie theater when it first came out and own the DVD. It is a truly amazing experience which takes you back to 1970s Brazil with the people, the places, and the music of the time. It focuses upon Alexandre Rodrigues as Rocket who is an aspiring photographer in Rio caught in between a gang war. The movie traces the two rival gangs, how they got started, how they went to war and how it impacted the people of the district called the City of God. It’s partially based upon a true story of two criminals Li’l Dice/Li’l Z (Leandro Firmino) and Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge).
The movie plays out like it’s a biography of the City of God from the early days in the 1960s when it was just a small row of house that expanded with a steady flow of refugees from the interior and how crime was always part of the area. It builds from there into how it became a flavela/district of Rio.
With it comes all the stories and characters that make the film so special. There’s the Tender Trio who were small time crooks which included Rocket’s brother, the rise of Li’l Dice/Li’l Z as a gangster and a psychopath, Shorty the snitch, and others. Li’l Z’s partner in crime for instance Benny (Jonathan Haagensen) became a playboy which was what they called the middle class kids for wearing designer shirts, shoes, hanging out at the beach, and who eventually wanted out of crime but couldn’t.
Finally there’s the music shown at the dance clubs with Samba, Soul, Rock, etc. That includes all the dancing and the groove of the crowds.
It is really a one of a kind movie.
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City Of God Digital
Alexandre Rodrigues
(Actor),
Matheus Nachtergaele
(Actor),
Fernando Meirelles
(Director),
Kátia Lund
(Director)
&
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Rated:
Format: DVD
R
IMDb8.6/10.0
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Editorial Reviews
Celebrated with worldwide acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous prestigious awards around the globe! The streets of the world's most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro's "City of God" are a place where combat photographers fear to tread, police rarely go and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. In the midst of the oppressive crime and violence, a frail and scared young boy will grow up to discover that he can view the harsh realities of his surroundings with a different eye, the eye of an artist. In the face of impossible odds, his brave ambition to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world and ultimately his way out!
Product details
- MPAA rating : R (Restricted)
- Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.54 Ounces
- Item model number : MRML30432DVD
- Director : Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund
- Media Format : Multiple Formats, AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Run time : 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Release date : April 26, 2011
- Actors : Alexandre Rodrigues, Matheus Nachtergaele, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva
- Subtitles: : French, Spanish, English
- Producers : Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Bel Berlinck, Daniel Filho, Donald Ranvaud
- Studio : Lionsgate
- ASIN : B004SIP6GI
- Writers : Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins
- Number of discs : 1
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- #10,135 in Drama DVDs
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Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
2,642 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2021
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6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2020
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I liked the video immensely. It was very good quality to view, and the price of the video was good.
The movie “City of God” portrays the origin of gang life in a growing Brazilian city “La Ciudad de Dios” in the 60’s and 70’s.
There is violence associated with gaining and maintaining that gang life style so be forewarned; this movie has a lot of violence.
It is however, possibly a necessary evil to show the violence in an effort to give context to life in very impoverished communities.
The movie sheds a little light on the motives for people being involved in drug dealing and their inabilities to get out of that lifestyle as well.
I say a little because I, being an average American citizen is unable to fathom having to resort to this type of lifestyle, but then again, looking at my belly and seeing that I’m well fed, slightly educated and living in a great country, I never had a reason to want a criminal lifestyle.
If I lived in the “City of God,” I may not have had a choice.
The movie “City of God” portrays the origin of gang life in a growing Brazilian city “La Ciudad de Dios” in the 60’s and 70’s.
There is violence associated with gaining and maintaining that gang life style so be forewarned; this movie has a lot of violence.
It is however, possibly a necessary evil to show the violence in an effort to give context to life in very impoverished communities.
The movie sheds a little light on the motives for people being involved in drug dealing and their inabilities to get out of that lifestyle as well.
I say a little because I, being an average American citizen is unable to fathom having to resort to this type of lifestyle, but then again, looking at my belly and seeing that I’m well fed, slightly educated and living in a great country, I never had a reason to want a criminal lifestyle.
If I lived in the “City of God,” I may not have had a choice.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was the very first movie that I watched with subtitles and wow what a great movie. Well acted and intense, if you have qualms about having to read subtitles, do yourself a favor and work through it and I promise you that a whole new world(s) of movies will then be available. There are so many great movies in foreign languages. Try it and never watch a "dubbed movie, the voices never match the character and they are more distracting than subtitles, good luck and enjoy
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2018
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If you haven't seen it-check it out.
A world away-people's "environments" are so vastly different, yet we are all so alike.
How so- in essence: we are all just trying to survive in our present environments.
Special features are in depth
-as good as movie.
Btw-It is a subtitled movie, so unless you speak Portuguese. Further note they did nice job on size and color of subtitles- allowing you to take in what's happening on the screen.
A world away-people's "environments" are so vastly different, yet we are all so alike.
How so- in essence: we are all just trying to survive in our present environments.
Special features are in depth
-as good as movie.
Btw-It is a subtitled movie, so unless you speak Portuguese. Further note they did nice job on size and color of subtitles- allowing you to take in what's happening on the screen.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
This movie had me grimacing at various points. It is a graphic depiction of life in the Rio favelas. If you can handle some very violent scenes, it is an excellent movie and well worth watching, particularly if you are interested in the Rio favelas.
14 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
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This isn’t the original one that I saw many years ago, it was much better and more detailed on the life of this boy growing up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, was disappointing was expecting the original
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very intense movie. I was in Rio this year and I was warned don’t go near the favelas. So I didn’t. This movie left a dark mark on that part of the city. Since then I’ve seen documentaries that make me want to explore these areas
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is definitely in my top 5 favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, you should. It gives you different perspectives, outlooks and ideas on life, which may help your perception of the world and life in general. If you don't want to get that deep, it's very entertaining! You won't be disappointed! Roger Ebert a movie critic legend gave it 4/4 stars, I need not say anymore.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Thespionic
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bloodbath in the Ghetto
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2017Verified Purchase
The obvious theme of this film is about gang violence and drugs in an impoverished Brazil. To be honest this flick has little to no story line - just flashes of people’s lives – until of course they mostly and inevitably end up dead. Because its action packed it’s good on the eye. The lead villain is a brute and a particularly nasty piece of work. It’s definitely worth a watch but it’s all a bit of a bloodbath, so if that’s your thing, then fine - you’ll enjoy it! The cinematography is colourful and clear, though mostly filmed in and around the poor people’s ghetto. Few will miss the irony of the finale.
3 people found this helpful
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tia
5.0 out of 5 stars
it's super great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2017Verified Purchase
PLEASE please please please don't let the fact that this film is subtitled for English put you off watching it as it did for my dad! I'm studying this film for my A2 film class at college, but aside from that it is an incredible film. It is thrilling, fast-paced and exiting. One of the directors of this film has experience in music videos, and the film has a similar feel to it with vibrant colour, quick cuts and a never faltering narrative. Highly recommend this!
7 people found this helpful
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Stampy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unthinkable piece of story telling that makes shocking viewing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2010Verified Purchase
Aspiring photographer Rocket (Rodrigues) recounts the story of the Brazilian slums and the times run by Li'l Ze (Firmino) and his gang
When Slumdog Millionaire was released a few years ago it was critically praised for its sharp depiction of the African slums and the difficulty of Dev Patel's character's life and encoding that with a popular TV programme and heart warming love story, and so if you were a fan, prepare to have your mind warped by one of the darkest and violent slum films arguably ever created.
Released 8 years ago now the story plays a reflection on Paulo Lins' novel which is based on a true story of the real gangs in Brazil during the 1960's and 70's. Which I hadn't realised till afterwards which honestly, makes the entirety of this production seems unbelievable. As much as Danny Boyle demonstrated a wisdom in India, Fernando Meirelles has shaken up something gob smacking original and authentic that will entertain, shock, make you laugh and cry and to tell a story of such violence and drama, of such childhood troubles and such forces corruption, blows the mind.
The story opens in the present with a well executed quick cutting chicken chase that has the central character in the middle of the street and the Brazilian gang on one side and the police on the other, a cinematic piece of art that sets the tone for the style of the director and the execution for the start of a brutal yet enjoyable narrative.
The plot shifts back in time and walks us through the formation of the notorious gang leaders of the slums and how childhood ignorance and neglect can form one of the greatest criminals ever. The hotel violence sequence is an effective handheld camera montage of brutality and force that shakes up what should be a normal environment but works on so many levels of shock. From seeing teenagers with guns to the violent rampage of attacks this is a unthinkable collection of representations.
There of course is unsettling teens all over the world, particularly aggressive in the UK and America thanks to media influence but within this setting of the Brazilian rural areas, shows us how peer pressure of a creative and influential power can ultimately upset a childhood's youthful ignorance and freedom.
As the film shifts through different character stories, the pace maintains its steady pace of drug and weapons dealings and the power of authority and how violence upsets the established order. The dialogue is assertive and precise from all characters and though the novel should not be touched in my opinion, you would like to think it is a great adaptation, gaining an Oscar nomination.
The cinematography is one of the big winners here with glorious lighting and hand shaking shots and using multiple twists in a story of childhood subjection to the surroundings is a winner and as before, like Slumdog? You will be aghast at this piece of perfection cinematic construction.
9/10
When Slumdog Millionaire was released a few years ago it was critically praised for its sharp depiction of the African slums and the difficulty of Dev Patel's character's life and encoding that with a popular TV programme and heart warming love story, and so if you were a fan, prepare to have your mind warped by one of the darkest and violent slum films arguably ever created.
Released 8 years ago now the story plays a reflection on Paulo Lins' novel which is based on a true story of the real gangs in Brazil during the 1960's and 70's. Which I hadn't realised till afterwards which honestly, makes the entirety of this production seems unbelievable. As much as Danny Boyle demonstrated a wisdom in India, Fernando Meirelles has shaken up something gob smacking original and authentic that will entertain, shock, make you laugh and cry and to tell a story of such violence and drama, of such childhood troubles and such forces corruption, blows the mind.
The story opens in the present with a well executed quick cutting chicken chase that has the central character in the middle of the street and the Brazilian gang on one side and the police on the other, a cinematic piece of art that sets the tone for the style of the director and the execution for the start of a brutal yet enjoyable narrative.
The plot shifts back in time and walks us through the formation of the notorious gang leaders of the slums and how childhood ignorance and neglect can form one of the greatest criminals ever. The hotel violence sequence is an effective handheld camera montage of brutality and force that shakes up what should be a normal environment but works on so many levels of shock. From seeing teenagers with guns to the violent rampage of attacks this is a unthinkable collection of representations.
There of course is unsettling teens all over the world, particularly aggressive in the UK and America thanks to media influence but within this setting of the Brazilian rural areas, shows us how peer pressure of a creative and influential power can ultimately upset a childhood's youthful ignorance and freedom.
As the film shifts through different character stories, the pace maintains its steady pace of drug and weapons dealings and the power of authority and how violence upsets the established order. The dialogue is assertive and precise from all characters and though the novel should not be touched in my opinion, you would like to think it is a great adaptation, gaining an Oscar nomination.
The cinematography is one of the big winners here with glorious lighting and hand shaking shots and using multiple twists in a story of childhood subjection to the surroundings is a winner and as before, like Slumdog? You will be aghast at this piece of perfection cinematic construction.
9/10
4 people found this helpful
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Sarugumo
5.0 out of 5 stars
City of God
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2010Verified Purchase
At it's most basic `City of God' is a film about inter gang warfare in the Brazilian slums. Two drug gangs fight it out over territory and for respect and innocent lives get caught in the crossfire. But if you delve a little deeper, this is also about betrayal, the hard violent struggle to survive, about those trying to stay honest and pure whilst those around them descend into crime and filth and the simple fight of good over bad. This is gritty viewing from the word go and yet the direction is stylish and very effective. This is shot in a series of vignettes and yet an over-arcing story ties it all together. This is in Portuguese with subtitles throughout which adds to the authenticity and feel of the film. You will flinch at some of the violence and be shocked at how young the kids start on the slippery slope to anarchy and crime. You will be even more shocked when you realise that this is based on a true story and events like these actually happened. I started off not being too involved in the film or story, but after half an hour I was hooked and this became compelling viewing. This was highly lauded when it was released and it has been recommended to me numerous times. I can only say it deserved all the accolades it received and would suggest you don't wait as long as I did before viewing it. It is unrelenting and raw, but completely engaging and will leave an impact. You couldn't ask for more from a film.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
3 people found this helpful
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A.Private Person
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, go ahead but be prepared !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2016Verified Purchase
Wow! Where to start without being a spoiler?
The storyline - a true story ... That makes it scary /upsetting /moving, it made me very emotional
The filming - excellent, im no photographer or anything but the location and scenes were truely breath taking
How did i feel at the end - quiet and thankful i live in france and thank ful for all i have around me
Summary - buy it for a life lesson, dont buy it for light entertainment
The storyline - a true story ... That makes it scary /upsetting /moving, it made me very emotional
The filming - excellent, im no photographer or anything but the location and scenes were truely breath taking
How did i feel at the end - quiet and thankful i live in france and thank ful for all i have around me
Summary - buy it for a life lesson, dont buy it for light entertainment
One person found this helpful
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