In the northeastern hinterland, Manoel, a common rural worker rebels agains his boss (Colonel Moraes) and ends up killing him. In desperation, Manoel and his wife Rosa flee and decide to join a religious group led by a "Saint" (Sebastian) in a resistance against the landowners. Meanwhile, António das Mortes is hired by the Church and coronels to persecute and kill the religious leader and his followers.  Manoel and Rosa survive the massacre and, later, meet Corisco, who converts Manoel to the gangster life of cangaço.