cangaceiro

The Cangaceiros(Kan-ga-cero) are ruthless marauders who terrorized Brazil's northeastern plains for more than a century , until they were wiped out in what amounted to a military operation of the government of Brazil in 1938. The film is set in the 18th century when they kidnap a pretty school teacher, Olivia, during a savage raid on a small village that they loot and burn and murder the citizens. Teadora, a member of the band, is attracted to Olivia and he helps her escape. They are ruthlessly pursued by the Cangacieros, led by their chief, Captain Galdino Ferreira and his savage aide, Maria Clodia, a girl who shares the gang's desperate existence.