City Of God (DVD 2003)

What can I add to all the reviews all ready posted? The greatest compliment I can pay this stunning piece of cinematography is the after 5 minutes I forgot that there were subtitles. A generally violent film that displays the cheapness of human life in Rio, is ultimately uplifting in the escape from the favella by the main character Rocket. The whole structure of the film draws you into the horrors of very young children being executed by both the police and each other. I defy anyone to watch this and remain untouched emotionally by the way some people (the have nots basically) are forced to turn to bestial behaviour. WATCH THIS FILM............

At first i hated to read subtitles, but now i am glad i watched it, also by the same director is "The Constant Gardener" (2005). This film is amazing...I have seen this movie only recently (2005) and it's easily one of the best foreign films I have ever seen. Actually, it's probably just about one of the best films I've seen. The cast really makes this movie come alive with each of their interesting personalities shining though in the backdrop of oppressive conditions and constant violence (Lil' Dice's smile is so vivid and yet ironic). The City of God is a world you don't want to visit, it won't be featured on a post card, and it's said to be the city ignored by god himself. This movie makes you feel uncomfortable, puts you on the edge of your seat -- you are right into the middle of the City and you too are caught up in it's temptation. You see the flaws of these men played out in an almost fatalistic nature -- hated, greed, futility; and in it all we see ourselves, our own flaws, and our own condition. This movie is fast paced and hard to follow, (unless you are up on your Portuguese) which really adds to the impetuous and impulsive undertones of the movie. This is a flawless piece of artwork (just as the lively music in the film) and a real 10 star winner. I suggest this movie to anyone who would have thought movies like the PulpFictoion and DonnieBrossco were very good.

What a film !!!!

Absolutely amazing ......... BUY THIS FILM, YOU WON'T REGRET IT !!!

It is basically like a Brazilian Goodfellas, but with real life realistic situations as it is based on a true story, also the "gangsters/hoods" in this film are much younger

I have got a DVD collection of over 500 top films and this is my 4th best film in there, only after "The Shawshank Redemption", "American Beauty" and "A Clockwork Orange"

I give this film 10/10 .......... a true MASTERPIECE

I first saw this film in January in my film studies class at college and was hooked from the beginning and had been after it ever since.
Dvd arrived in good time and in excellent quality and i can't think of anything bad to say about it!
Brilliant purchase!

Harrowing, gripping saga, based on fact, about the deadly gangs who strut their bloody stuff in the slums of Rio De Janeiro. The mostly amateur young cast are extraordinary. Not for the faint-hearted, though!

one of the best films i have seen. Gang life is no joke and this sure shows the point to that message. i am addicted to watchin this movie, its great! Great characters and a great story line, can relate too

One of my FAVORITE films of ALL TIME and i study Film at degree level.

Compelling and moving film, will totally shock you on so many levels.
Although the film is not actually filmed in the favelas in Rio de Janiro "Cidade de Deus" ("City of God") is an absolutely amazing film.

What you see is FOR REAL
Worth Watching!!!!

"City of God" churns with furious energy as it plunges into the story of the slum gangs of Rio de Janeiro. Breathtaking and terrifying, urgently involved with its characters, it announces a new director of great gifts and passions: Fernando Meirelles.
"City of God" has the substance to match its lashings of style.

I saw this stunning Brazilian film at the Picturehouse in Edinburgh a couple of years ago and bought the DVD as it is that good, a gripping portrayal of life in the slums of Rio , fast, funky, humourous full of energy ,City of God is one of those rare films that you can watch again and again, seeing different angles each time.What makes it better is the fact that the actors are mainly from those areas. Anyway I wont waffle on about the detail as that would spoil the film. but it is on my all time top 3 films to watch. If you do buy it and watch it also try aquring City of Men the series produced after it.Awsome.

I recently watched this movie and was absolutely gob smacked! It was a gripping tale from the very beginning to the very end. I highly recommend any and every over 18yr old to view it. There are an awful lot of films out there with plenty of violence but little else. The violence in this film is only a tool to illustrate the very difficult life the underclass of Rio have to face and the almost impossible daily choices forced upon them. 5 out of 5 rating.

This film is excellent. I decided to buy it after I saw it on tele. It really grips you from start to end, and the fact that it is based on real characters and real events only makes it better. This is one of my favourtie films and I think it will become a classic.

I have never been a fan of foreign subtitled films, i find then hard to follow and tedious. However i have had my opinion completely changed since watching City of God. The film has everything Action, drama romance and comedy. If you want and emotional rollercoaster then get this film, it deserves everyone of its 5 stars i have rated it.

I bought the DVD for my son who is doing film studies for A level. It is one of the films he has to study.

An excellent depiction of life in the shanty towns(favelas) of Rio. This film is subtitled as its Brazilian made.

It is in the the style of boyz in the hood or any other ghetto related movie.

For me this one is the best of the lot!.

An amazing film exposing the painful truths of one of Rio de Janeiro's most notorious slums. Following the true story of one boy surrounded by gang violence and drugs, who's only dream is to become a photographer in a place where Outsiders are too scared to enter and insiders have given up trying to escape.
Despite containing a few hard to watch scenes and having to read the subtitles (unless of course you can understand Portuguese)it is definately a film not to be missed!

Friend of mine told me the film was good hence I bought it but I found it to be average and I would give the film 6 out of 10. Few exciting moments in the film but I would not describe it as classic or a film you should definitely watch. Youth surviving in the slums and trying to make a living, people being occasionally killed, love and friendship isn't a no go area for that kind of place and some drama as well as you can expect from the gun infested place. God bless.

Excellent film sealed as promised quickly delivered an excellent seller you get what the description says which is refreshing

LOVED THE WHOLE FILM,FROM BEGINNING TO END FAST MOVEING DEPICTING VIOLANCE TO THE EXTREME, FEAR,POVERTY, DOG EAT DOG TYPE FILM, A STORY OF ONE YOUNG MANS COURAGE TO EXCAPE THE SLUM AND MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR HIMSLEF DISPITE THE DANGEROUS ODDS, IN FACT IVE WATCHED IT THREE TIMES ALREADY ,RECOMMEND IT TO ALL A MUST HAVE FILM

Decided to buy it, going on write ups on other sites.

The write ups made it out to be excellent, but I would rate it as average, as a lot of the violence was unreal, along with the acting, which was a bit amateurish.

Could not really expect more though, as the cast were amateurs.

The City of God is a hidden gem the acting is superb and the Storyline was superb and the fighting and heists really give an great insight of life in other coutries and has action in everyscene , possible one of the greatest foreign films . This is as Good if not better than Goodfellas .

Must Have Film

i wanted this film for ages its brilliant and ebay came up trumps with a great price.its a very powerful film and hard to watch in places but it is well worth seeing.

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MY DAUGHTER IS STUDYING THIS FULM AT COLLEGE AND I COULD NOT BUY IT LOCALLY. IT ARRIVED WITHIN THE DAY AND IT IS BRAND NEW (AND SEALED) WORTH EVERY PENNY.