Abstract: Brake levers are molded in place through an opening in the base of a video cassette. The brake levers have first brake arms with outward extending reel grippers at distal ends, and second actuator arms with an actuator connected between distal ends of the actuator arms. Medial portions of the levers are supported on integrally formed living hinges with axes perpendicular to the base. Pressing outward on the actuator arms with the actuator rotates the levers about the hinges so that the brake arms and grippers are withdrawn from contact with the reels. The actuator has two legs which are joined centrally by a hinge and which extend angularly to living hinge interconnections with the actuator arms. As a pin or blade pushes on the central connection in a direction parallel to the hinge axes of the operating levers, the actuator legs spread forcing distal ends of the actuator arms apart and distal ends of the brake arms and the grippers together, releasing the reel brake.