The best Brazilian films
by maba1789 | created - 14 Dec 2014 | updated - 2 weeks ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Entranced Earth (1967)
111 min | Drama
In the fictional Latin American country Eldorado, a poet tries to effect political change by influencing powerful men.
Director: Glauber Rocha | Stars: Jardel Filho, Paulo Autran, José Lewgoy, Glauce Rocha
Votes: 3,581
2. Barren Lives (1963)
Not Rated | 103 min | Drama
A poor family in the Northeast of Brazil (Fabiano, the father; Sinhá Vitória, the mother; their 2 children and a dog called Baleia) wander about the barren land searching for a better place... See full summary »
Director: Nelson Pereira dos Santos | Stars: Átila Iório, Maria Ribeiro, Orlando Macedo, Jofre Soares
Votes: 2,909
3. Limit (1931)
Not Rated | 114 min | Drama, Romance
Three people (Raul Schnoor, Olga Breno and Tatiana Rey) sail aimlessly while remembering their past.
Director: Mario Peixoto | Stars: Olga Breno, Tatiana Rey, Raul Schnoor, Brutus Pedreira
Votes: 2,878
4. Black God, White Devil (1964)
Not Rated | 120 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama
After killing his employer when he tries to cheat him out of his payment, a man becomes an outlaw and starts following a self-proclaimed saint.
Director: Glauber Rocha | Stars: Geraldo Del Rey, Yoná Magalhães, Othon Bastos, Maurício do Valle
Votes: 5,357
5. Twenty Years Later (1984)
119 min | Documentary, History
A filmmaker returns to Northeast Brazil after twenty years to resume his film (a profile of assassinated peasant leader João Pedro Teixeira) which was shut down by a right-wing military coup in 1964.
Director: Eduardo Coutinho | Stars: Eduardo Coutinho, Elizabeth Teixeira, Ferreira Gullar, Tite de Lemos
Votes: 1,695
6. Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within (2010)
Not Rated | 115 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a prison riot, former-Captain Nascimento, now a high ranking security officer in Rio de Janeiro, is swept into a bloody political dispute that involves government officials and paramilitary groups.
Director: José Padilha | Stars: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro, Milhem Cortaz
Votes: 86,795 | Gross: $0.10M
7. Bus 174 (2002)
R | 122 min | Documentary, Crime
On June 12, 2000, a young man with a gun took the passengers aboard Bus 174 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil hostage. This documentary examines the event itself, the resulting media frenzy, the police response, and the perpetrator's background.
Directors: José Padilha, Felipe Lacerda | Stars: Sandro do Nascimento, Rodrigo Pimentel, Luiz Eduardo Soares, Anonymous
Votes: 8,621 | Gross: $0.22M
8. The Red Light Bandit (1968)
92 min | Crime, Thriller
The story of a famous Brazilian criminal, called The Red Light Bandit because he always used a red flashlight to break in the houses during the night. Working alone, he also used to rape his female victims.
Director: Rogério Sganzerla | Stars: Helena Ignez, Paulo Villaça, Pagano Sobrinho, Luiz Linhares
Votes: 1,688
9. Edifício Master (2002)
110 min | Documentary
The daily lives and routine of 37 families living in a huge 12-story building in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: their drama, aspirations, intimate revelations, loneliness, dreams...
Director: Eduardo Coutinho | Star: Fernando José
Votes: 1,683
10. Jogo de Cena (2007)
100 min | Documentary, Drama
Following a newspaper ad, ordinary women tell part of their life stories to director Eduardo Coutinho, which are then re-enacted by actresses, blurring the barriers between truth, fiction and interpretation.
Director: Eduardo Coutinho | Stars: Marília Pêra, Andrea Beltrão, Fernanda Torres, Aleta Gomes Vieira
Votes: 1,311
11. Assault on the Pay Train (1962)
102 min | Crime, Drama
Film about the true events in Rio de Janeiro, in 1960, when a gang having the infamous outlaw Tião Medonho as a leader performed a sensational railroad hold-up on a train carrying a small fortune.
Director: Roberto Farias | Stars: Eliezer Gomes, Reginaldo Faria, Jorge Dória, Átila Iório
Votes: 854
12. To the Left of the Father (2001)
Not Rated | 163 min | Drama
A young son who ran from his dominant family descends into decadence, then returns to the nest. Tyrannical fathers, incest, fierce family conflicts, and an intense visual style to match.
Director: Luiz Fernando Carvalho | Stars: Selton Mello, Raul Cortez, Juliana Carneiro da Cunha, Simone Spoladore
Votes: 2,049
13. Pixote (1980)
TV-MA | 128 min | Crime, Drama
The life of a boy on the streets of Sao Paulo, involved with crimes, prostitution, and drugs.
Director: Hector Babenco | Stars: Fernando Ramos da Silva, Jorge Julião, Gilberto Moura, Edilson Lino
Votes: 9,240
14. The Way He Looks (2014)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama, Romance
Leonardo is a blind teenager searching for independence. His everyday life, the relationship with his best friend Giovana, and the way he sees the world change completely with the arrival of Gabriel.
Director: Daniel Ribeiro | Stars: Ghilherme Lobo, Fabio Audi, Tess Amorim, Lúcia Romano
Votes: 27,673 | Gross: $0.10M
15. Elite Squad (2007)
R | 115 min | Action, Crime, Drama
In 1997 Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento has to find a substitute for his position while trying to take down drug dealers and criminals before the Pope visits.
Director: José Padilha | Stars: Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, Caio Junqueira, Milhem Cortaz
Votes: 110,318 | Gross: $0.01M
16. Babilônia 2000 (1999)
80 min | Documentary
Documentary on poor people living in two slums in Rio de Janeiro, on the occasion of New Year's Eve.
Director: Eduardo Coutinho
Votes: 248
17. Hour of the Star (1985)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama
Macabea has just moved to the big city after her aunt, who raised her, died. She gets a job as a typist and moves into a boarding house with three other women. In her spare time she listens... See full summary »
Director: Suzana Amaral | Stars: Marcelia Cartaxo, José Dumont, Tamara Taxman, Fernanda Montenegro
Votes: 1,437
18. Memórias do Cárcere (1984)
185 min | Drama
Graciliano Ramos' period he spent in prison after being considered a subversive element by the government.
Director: Nelson Pereira dos Santos | Stars: Carlos Vereza, Glória Pires, Nildo Parente, José Dumont
Votes: 510
19. São Paulo, Sociedade Anônima (1965)
107 min | Drama
A man lives in conflict as he deals with his friends and love interests against the backdrop of São Paulo.
Director: Luiz Sérgio Person | Stars: Ana Esmeralda, Eva Wilma, Otelo Zeloni, Walmor Chagas
Votes: 990
20. Case of the Naves Brothers (1967)
92 min | Drama
The innocent brothers are wrongly accused of a crime by a corrupt and violent police officers and are forced to face the injustices of the brazilian penal system.
Director: Luiz Sérgio Person | Stars: Anselmo Duarte, Raul Cortez, Juca de Oliveira, Sérgio Hingst
Votes: 494
21. Selva Trágica (1964)
104 min | Drama
In a company trading maté, workers are treated as slaves. Some of them try to escape, but those who are caught suffer severe punishments.
Director: Roberto Farias | Stars: Reginaldo Faria, Rejane Medeiros, Aurélio Teixeira, Maurício do Valle
Votes: 82
22. Rio, 40 Degrees (1955)
100 min | Drama
A semi-documentary on the people of Rio de Janeiro. The camera follows boys from a hillside shanty town who sell peanuts at Copacabana, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and a soccer game. Various ... See full summary »
Director: Nelson Pereira dos Santos | Stars: Modesto De Souza, Roberto Bataglin, Jece Valadão, Ana Beatriz
Votes: 860
23. Antonio das Mortes (1969)
100 min | Action, Crime, Drama
In this sequel to "Black God, White Devil", Antonio das Mortes must return back to action after killing the last of the Cangaceiros 29 years ago, when a new outlaw appears, who will eventually reveal as an idealist and mark him profoundly.
Director: Glauber Rocha | Stars: Maurício do Valle, Odete Lara, Othon Bastos, Hugo Carvana
Votes: 2,281
24. São Bernardo (1972)
113 min | Drama
The story of Paulo Honório, a poor kid who becomes a rich farmer. Obsessed by his desire to get even richer, he doesn't pay much attention to his wife, Madalena, a teacher who reacts against his tyrannical ways.
Director: Leon Hirszman | Stars: Othon Bastos, Isabel Ribeiro, Nildo Parente, Vanda Lacerda
Votes: 512
25. The Guns (1964)
80 min | Drama
In an extremely poor region in the Northeast of Brazil, a group of soldiers try to stop the population from sacking a food deposit.
Director: Ruy Guerra | Stars: Átila Iório, Nelson Xavier, Maria Gladys, Leonidas Bayer
Votes: 738
26. Tocaia no Asfalto (1962)
101 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
The psychology and life of Brazilian hitmen, common in the Northeast part of the country. In this particular case, the story revolves around a young and idealistic politician from Salvador, whom the enemies are eager to eliminate.
Director: Roberto Pires | Stars: Agildo Ribeiro, Arassary de Oliveira, Adriano Lisboa, Geraldo Del Rey
Votes: 112
27. Plantation Boy (1965)
90 min | Drama
In Brazil in the 1920s, boy is sent to live with some parents in a sugarcane plantation, after losing his mother. His adaptation will be difficult and painful.
Director: Walter Lima Jr. | Stars: Geraldo Del Rey, Sávio Rolim, Rodolfo Arena, Anecy Rocha
Votes: 97
28. A Queda (1978)
120 min | Drama
This sequel to "Os Fuzis" follows the story of a hard working operator who dies on a work related accident due to the precarious conditions established in the place. But when his superiors ... See full summary »
Directors: Ruy Guerra, Nelson Xavier | Stars: Nelson Xavier, Leonidas Bayer, Carlos Alberto Baía, Hugo Carvana
Votes: 147
29. Men and Women (1964)
93 min | Drama
Two friends take two prostitutes for a night of pleasure. But the night turns out to be frustrating for all involved, as much bitterness is revealed in their conversation and attitudes, ... See full summary »
Director: Walter Hugo Khouri | Stars: Norma Bengell, Odete Lara, Mário Benvenutti, Gabriele Tinti
Votes: 642
30. The Hour and Turn of Augusto Matraga (1965)
109 min | Drama
Augusto Matraga is a violent agressive farmer who after being betrayed by his wife and trapped by several enemies is bitten up and left for dead. He is rescued by a couple of humble small ... See full summary »
Director: Roberto Santos | Stars: Leonardo Villar, Jofre Soares, Maria Ribeiro, Maurício do Valle
Votes: 199
31. The Given Word (1962)
98 min | Drama
A simple yet devout Christian makes a vow to Saint Barbara after she saves his donkey, but everyone he meets seems determined to misunderstand his intentions. Will he be able to keep his promise in the end?
Director: Anselmo Duarte | Stars: Leonardo Villar, Glória Menezes, Dionísio Azevedo, Geraldo Del Rey
Votes: 3,937
32. Terra Estrangeira (1995)
110 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After the death of his mother, a young Brazilian decides to leave his country and travel to his mother's native land. In a foreign land, he finds love and danger.
Directors: Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas | Stars: Fernanda Torres, Fernando Alves Pinto, Alexandre Borges, Luís Melo
Votes: 1,930
33. Viagem aos Seios de Duília (1965)
105 min | Drama
Single retired civil servant decides to return to his hometown to meet his first and only love. But the woman he finds is just a spectre of his memory.
Director: Carlos Hugo Christensen | Stars: Rodolfo Mayer, Nathália Timberg, Oswaldo Louzada, Lícia Magna
Votes: 92
34. The Inheritors (1969)
110 min | Drama
An allegory about Brazil's history and the struggle for power since the 1930 Revolution until the advent of the TV.
Director: Carlos Diegues | Stars: Sérgio Cardoso, Odete Lara, Mário Lago, Paulo Porto
Votes: 97
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