The Bandit (1953)
A landmark of Brazilian cinema, The Bandit plunges into the lawless sertão where loyalty, love, and survival collide among outlaws.
The Bandit - Movie Information
- Original Title: O Cangaceiro
- Release Year: 1953
- Directed by: Lima Barreto
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Adventure, Western
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: Portuguese
- Spoken Languages: Portuguese
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 20, 1953 (Brazil), September 3, 1954 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Banditten (DK), Sans peur, sans pitié (CA), Cangaceiro (PE), Kesytön maa (FI), Sans peur, sans pitié (FR), O Cangaceiro - Die Gesetzlosen (AT), O Cangaceiro (PT), Il brigante (IT)
- Production Companies: Companhia Cinematográfica Vera Cruz
- Production Countries: Brazil
The Bandit - Plot
In the time of the "cangaceiros" in the badlands of the Northeast of Brazil, the cruel Captain Galdino Ferreira and his band abduct the schoolteacher Olívia, expecting to receive a ransom for her. However, one of his men, Teodoro, falls in love and flees with her through the arid backcountry chased by the brigands.
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The Bandit - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Lima Barreto
Main Cast
- Milton Ribeiro
- Alberto Ruschel
- Marisa Prado
- Vanja Orico
- Zé do Norte
- Adoniran Barbosa
- Ricardo Campos
- Nieta Junqueira
- Nicolau Sala
- Neusa Veras
Writers
- Lima Barreto
Producers
- Cid Leite da Silva
The Bandit - FAQs
What is The Bandit about?
The Bandit follows a band of cangaceiros — outlaws roaming the harsh Northeast Brazilian backcountry — who kidnap a schoolteacher for ransom. One of the bandits, Teodoro, falls for her and escapes with her across the arid sertão, pursued relentlessly by his ruthless captain, Galdino Ferreira.
Is The Bandit based on a true story?
The Bandit is not based on a single true story, but it draws deeply from the real historical phenomenon of cangaceirismo — a tradition of armed outlaw bands that roamed Brazil's Northeast sertão in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Figures like Lampião inspired the film's world and characters.
Who directed The Bandit?
The Bandit was directed by Lima Barreto, a pioneering Brazilian filmmaker who also wrote the screenplay. The film became his most celebrated work and a landmark of Brazilian cinema, earning international recognition at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival.
Who are the main actors in The Bandit?
The film stars Milton Ribeiro as the fearsome Captain Galdino Ferreira, Alberto Ruschel as the conflicted outlaw Teodoro, and Marisa Prado as Olívia, the kidnapped schoolteacher. Vanja Orico and Zé do Norte round out the principal cast in memorable supporting roles.
Did The Bandit win any awards?
Yes — The Bandit had a remarkable international debut at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the International Prize and the Best Music prize for Gabriel Migliori's iconic score. It remains one of the most decorated Brazilian films in Cannes history and a touchstone of world cinema.
What genre is The Bandit?
The Bandit blends Drama, Adventure, and Western genres into what is often called a "Nordestern" — a distinctly Brazilian take on the Western tradition, set in the sun-scorched sertão of Northeast Brazil rather than the American frontier. It combines action, romance, and social commentary in equal measure.
When was The Bandit released?
The Bandit premiered in Brazil on January 20, 1953, and reached American audiences on September 3, 1954. Its international release followed its celebrated appearance at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival, which brought the film widespread global attention.
What are similar movies to The Bandit?
If you enjoy The Bandit, you might also like O Cangaceiro (1997), Cangaceiros de Lampião (1967), Maria Bonita, Rainha do Cangaço (1968), and The Godless Bandit (1970), all of which explore the cangaço world. For broader Western-flavored adventures, Jane Got a Gun (2015) and The Last Manhunt (2022) are solid picks.
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