In the times of the "cangaceiros" in the "sertão" (backcountry) in the North and Northeastern of Brazil, the cruel Capitão Galdino Ferreira and his band abduct the school teacher 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. Along their journey, Olívia also falls in love with Teodoro and proposes him to leave the countryside and move to the city. But Teodoro loves also his land and tells that he would like to die in the backcountry where he was born.