Robert De Niro prepared for his role as a terrorist plumber in sci-fi dark comedy Brazil (1985) by shadowing a brain surgeon, the film’s director revealed.
Terry Gilliam spoke to The Guardian about the making of the film, and he was joined by its star, Jonathan Pryce, who played Sam Lowry.
Robert, 80, was originally after the role of antagonist Jack Lint, but Terry, 83, had already promised it to a friend, Michael Palin.
Undeterred due to his love of Monty Python, which Terry was famously a member of, Robert accepted the role of criminal Archibald ‘Harry’ Tuttle.
Terry said: ‘I told him: “You’re a plumber, but I want you to treat the plumbing like it’s brain surgery.” He actually found a New York neurosurgeon and sat in on an operation as part of his preparation.’
Robert De Niro prepared for his role as a terrorist plumber in sci-fi dark comedy Brazil (1985) by shadowing a brain surgeon, the film’s director revealed (pictured in May)
![The actor, 80, portrayed Archibald (pictured) in the film which went on to become a cult classic, despite bombing at box office](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/12/10/78861091-12854031-image-m-49_1702375458466.jpg)
The actor, 80, portrayed Archibald (pictured) in the film which went on to become a cult classic, despite bombing at box office
He continued: ‘Though when you see Tuttle handling equipment in close-up, those hands are mine.’
‘Though his character, Tuttle, is a relatively small part, he’s the hero really, as he’s the only person who’s achieving anything.’
The film centres on Sam Lowry (Jonathan), a low-ranking bureaucrat trying to find a woman who appears in his dreams while he is working in a mind-numbing job and living in a small apartment.
Sam lives in a dystopian world in which there is an over-reliance on poorly maintained (and rather whimsical) machines.
He and Archibald meet when an arrest warrant misprint leads to the death of another Archibald.
Tom Cruise was also considered for the role of Sam, who forgoes his government role for the life of a fugitive with new girlfriend Jill (Kim Greist).
Jonathan, 76, admitted he and Terry ‘do disagree’ on the ending because he sees it as a ‘horrible nightmare’ while the latter regards it as ‘optimistic’.
Despite bombing at box office, making $5 million under its budget, the British Film Institute voted Brazil the 54th greatest British film of all time in 1999.
![Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python, (pictured this month) spoke to The Guardian about the making of the film, and he was joined by its star, Jonathan Pryce, who played Sam Lowry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/12/11/78863245-12854031-Terry_Gilliam_of_Monty_Python_spoke_to_The_Guardian_about_the_ma-m-1_1702379751972.jpg)
Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python, (pictured this month) spoke to The Guardian about the making of the film, and he was joined by its star, Jonathan Pryce, who played Sam Lowry
In November, Robert was at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City to deliver a speech in tribute to his critically acclaimed Western crime epic Killers Of The Flower Moon.
The film was was directed by his long-time friend and collaborator Martin Scorsese, and also starred Leonardo DiCaprio.
During the speech the Taxi Driver star appeared to get confused and paused, before backtracking and trying to explain what had thrown him off.
He later accused Apple of editing and cutting off the beginning of his speech.
![The film centred on Sam (left, pictured with Archibald), who works a low-ranking, mind-numbing bureaucrat job and tries to find the woman who keeps appearing in his dreams](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/12/11/78861543-12854031-The_film_centred_on_Sam_left_pictured_with_Archibald_who_works_a-a-2_1702379810360.jpg)
The film centred on Sam (left, pictured with Archibald), who works a low-ranking, mind-numbing bureaucrat job and tries to find the woman who keeps appearing in his dreams
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