Assalto ao Trem Pagador

The gang composed by small-time thieves from the slum and leaded by the criminal Tião Medonho (Eliezer Gomes) plans and successfully executes the robbery of the train with the payments of the Banco do Brasil ("Bank of Brazil"). The police has no leads and believes that the heist was committed by an international gang. Meanwhile, Tião imposes that each outlaw can only spend 10% of the share, but the poor reality and the greed of most of them spoil the planning.

"O Assalto ao Trem Pagador" is a classic of the Brazilian Cinema. Based on a true event, indeed one of the boldest heist in the Brazilian history, the film is very impressive even in the present days. The accuracy and realism of the scenes recall the Italian Movement Neo-Realism. The lack of human rights with the humble people of the slums that still prevails in the present days is magnificently presented in many scenes, specially in the last one, when the house of the wife of Tião Medonho is invaded by the police, reporters and photographers. This movie shows the other side of the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro, and may be considered the "Cidade de Deus" of the 60's. The direction of Roberto Farias is very precise and sharp, touching in social wounds that have never healed. The cast has outstanding performances, highlighting Eliezer Gomes in the role of a powerful and natural leader, "the owner of the slum", Tião Medonho. I am not sure whether this rare movie has been distributed worldwide: I have just bought an used and very old VHS from a rental, since this classic has not been released on DVD in Brazil. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Assalto ao Trem Pagador" ("The Robbery of the Pay Train")