A Noite do Espantalho plot
'The Night of the Scarecrow' is set in northeastern Badlands, which had suffered a severe drought in the previous year. The area is arid and exploited by landlords. The regional boss, Colonel Fragoso, considers selling his possessions, but the peasants organize a resistance movement to try to keep half of their land. A gunman, Colonel Fragoso's right-hand man, accepts a paid assignment to kill the leaders of the resistance. The conflict between the hit man and the cowboy who represents the farmers is heightened by their mutual struggle for the love of Maria do Grotao.