Rating: 
Summary: Top notch portrayal of Brazilian society in the late 60's.
Review: Apart from the obvious political elements that comprise the movie's storyline, Barrata's story provides a compelling portrait of Brazilian society in the late 60's, filled with the ironies and characteristics that still define Brazil today.While Elbrick's story is in itself a truly frightening life experience, the event served to usher in a period of relentless and regular abductions not limited to political types, but even extended to upper class citizens in the the late 80's. Barrata's story is filled with nuance: The street vendor whistling a Caetano Veloso song that was censored by the dictatorship, the passive/aggressive phone calls from the elderly lady watching the abduction from the window, the eventual release of Elbrick in the middle of a football celebration. And of course, Jobim's bossa as the ironic soundscape to Liberal terrorism. Put this story with the same elements in say, London, and you have a completely different movie. The Context is purely Brazilian, and for anyone wanting to gain insight into this wonderfully contradictory culture, Four Days in Septemebr will become an entertaining teacher, with many lessons to be had from repeated viewing. Scott Adams Connectbrazil.com END
Rating: 
Summary: Story of my father's ordeal - truly excellent- accurate.
Review: Arkin and rest of cast do compelling and convincing job dramatising the story as I knew it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film, Excellent Surprise.
Review: Based on a memoir of one of the participants in the kidnap of the American Ambassador in Brazil in 1969, this is a thought provoking film. We all remember the idealism of the times and the student protests around the globe. Most of it was aimed at governments, which needed reform, but were never the ogres that the protesters claimed they were. In Brazil, however, it was different. A military junta had just toppled a democratically elected government. All civil rights had been suspended and terror reigned. A small group of radical students became revolutionaries. Clearly they were over their heads with their dreams of freedom. A bungled bank robbery caused one of the students to be tortured and imprisoned. Something drastic had to be done. Several hard-boiled older radicals came to assist them and the plan for the kidnap was hatched. How it played out is the brought to the screen by Bruno Baretto, as all the participants from the student dreamer played by Pedro Cardoso, to the strong minded woman who saw herself as a revolutionary, played by Fernanda Torres, are shown to be both dangerous and naïve. Alan Arkin is cast as the ambassador and some of the scenes between him and his captors are masterpieces of subtlety and realism. We see many sides of the problem, including the side of the young policeman who has nightmares because his job forces him to torture prisoners. Instead of making judgment, the film lets the audience experience the realities of the situation, which exacerbates the harshness of the government. The emotional tenseness never ceases and the audience is drawn into the drama. As an epilogue it jumps to a later time, when the original radicals, now older and wiser are freed in a prisoner exchange. As the camera pans their faces, we see how they have changed. The film sets us down in a time and place that is gone now. Times have changed and so have the methods of idealists. There is something to learn, however, from this lesson in history. It is well crafted, brilliantly directed and the actors are superb. No wonder it was nominated for an academy award. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A repressive regime. Idealism. And harsh realities.
Review: Based on a memoir of one of the participants in the kidnap of the American Ambassador in Brazil in 1969, this is a thought provoking film. We all remember the idealism of the times and the student protests around the globe. Most of it was aimed at governments, which needed reform, but were never the ogres that the protesters claimed they were. In Brazil, however, it was different. A military junta had just toppled a democratically elected government. All civil rights had been suspended and terror reigned. A small group of radical students became revolutionaries. Clearly they were over their heads with their dreams of freedom. A bungled bank robbery caused one of the students to be tortured and imprisoned. Something drastic had to be done. Several hard-boiled older radicals came to assist them and the plan for the kidnap was hatched. How it played out is the brought to the screen by Bruno Baretto, as all the participants from the student dreamer played by Pedro Cardoso, to the strong minded woman who saw herself as a revolutionary, played by Fernanda Torres, are shown to be both dangerous and naïve. Alan Arkin is cast as the ambassador and some of the scenes between him and his captors are masterpieces of subtlety and realism. We see many sides of the problem, including the side of the young policeman who has nightmares because his job forces him to torture prisoners. Instead of making judgment, the film lets the audience experience the realities of the situation, which exacerbates the harshness of the government. The emotional tenseness never ceases and the audience is drawn into the drama. As an epilogue it jumps to a later time, when the original radicals, now older and wiser are freed in a prisoner exchange. As the camera pans their faces, we see how they have changed. The film sets us down in a time and place that is gone now. Times have changed and so have the methods of idealists. There is something to learn, however, from this lesson in history. It is well crafted, brilliantly directed and the actors are superb. No wonder it was nominated for an academy award. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An intelligent and moving historical drama
Review: Brazil, 1969. The country is under the control of an oppressive military regime. A group of idealistic students join an underground revolutionary group in protest. Out of this climate of paranoia and violence, a bold plan is conceived: a plot to kidnap the U.S. ambassador to Brazil. This true story forms the basis for the excellent film "Four Days in September," directed by Bruno Barreto. I have seen many historical films, and this is one of the best. There are no cardboard heroes or villains in this film; there are lots of moral shades of gray. Are these students terrorists or freedom fighters? Is the ambassador an innocent victim, or an ally of oppressive forces? Leopoldo Serran's intelligent script is based on Fernando Gabeira's book "O Que E Isso, Companhiero?" The dialogue offers thought-provoking insights into the minds of the individuals involved in these events. The cast gives universally superb performances; particularly impressive is veteran U.S. actor Alan Arkin as Ambassador Charles Elbrick. The film as a whole is well complemented by a memorable musical soundtrack. Barreto's direction is both suspenseful and sensitive. Whether you are interested in Latin American history or just enjoy a well-made drama, I highly recommend this film.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and authentic treatment of Brazil's recent history.
Review: Having lived in Brazil from 1964-1987, and having read Fernando Gabeira's original book "O Que É Isso, Companheiro" on which the movie was based, I expected to some distortions or exaggerations. To my surprise, Barreto treated with great sensitivity the story, revealing the humanity of all those involved. Arkin as Ambassador Charles Elbrick was shown to be both frightened, courageous and lucid during his captivity. The terrorists were as expected, committed, yet inexperienced and frightened. The police and torturers were both efficient and haunted by the ugly side of their task. For anyone desiring to see in the inside of the political passion that was typical of this generation of Brazilians, this movie is a must-see. Ken Lottis Mercer Island WA END
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and authentic treatment of Brazil's recent history.
Review: Having lived in Brazil from 1964-1987, and having read Fernando Gabeira's original book "O Que É Isso, Companheiro" on which the movie was based, I expected to some distortions or exaggerations. To my surprise, Barreto treated with great sensitivity the story, revealing the humanity of all those involved. Arkin as Ambassador Charles Elbrick was shown to be both frightened, courageous and lucid during his captivity. The terrorists were as expected, committed, yet inexperienced and frightened. The police and torturers were both efficient and haunted by the ugly side of their task. For anyone desiring to see in the inside of the political passion that was typical of this generation of Brazilians, this movie is a must-see. Ken Lottis Mercer Island WA END
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and Intense
Review: I knew almost nothing about Four Days in September when I cuaght it on cable T.V. tonight. I'm egyptian, so it is a rarity for me to see a Latin American film. It provides with the extra pleasure of seeing another culture, one with which I was unfamiliar but was always curious about. The story of this film, however is a common one. Young Idealists facing the harsh realities and consequences of action rather than talk. You would expect this film do be completly one sided but it shows great intelligence when dealing with the Secret Service agent who can't sleep becuase of the torture methods he uses on young revolutionaries, he calls them "Young dreamers" who must be stopped becuase they are controlled by forces greater than them. Ofcourse the movie doesn't take his side, but its rare for a political film to be so sympathetic. The character of Jonas is also fascinating, he orders the other rebels around and chillingly tells them that he will shoot them if they disobey any orders. He does this in a passive mannere suggesting efficiency rather than brutality, yet another subtext is added to his character, when the American ambassador(wonderfully played by Alan Arkin) observes that "A man can hide himself in a Revolution". The ending is both sad and inspiring, the rebels do eventually succeed in toppling the dictatorship, but as the gather togather infront of an airplane waiting to deport them to Algeria their is a certain pain in their eyes, the myths of hotheaded revolution dispelled and the aftermath of violence setting in.
Rating:
Summary: Sticks with you
Review: I saw "Four Days in September" when in came out in U.S. theaters in 1999. It has stuck with me since then, mostly because of Alan Arkin's fabulous performance as Ambassador Charles Embrick. But, also, because of the way the film brings to light for its audience what life was like in Brazil during the miltary dictatorship of 1969 - 1979. And, because of its very understated manner of showing you how this small, underground group of anti-regimists coalesced, got its training, and put its thoughts into actions. It all feels very real. No Hollywood-ization here. If you want an entertaining *and* eductional evening, rent or buy "Four Days in September." You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Sticks with you
Review: I saw "Four Days in September" when in came out in U.S. theaters in 1999. It has stuck with me since then, mostly because of Alan Arkin's fabulous performance as Ambassador Charles Embrick. But, also, because of the way the film brings to light for its audience what life was like in Brazil during the miltary dictatorship of 1969 - 1979. And, because of its very understated manner of showing you how this small, underground group of anti-regimists coalesced, got its training, and put its thoughts into actions. It all feels very real. No Hollywood-ization here. If you want an entertaining *and* eductional evening, rent or buy "Four Days in September." You won't be disappointed.
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