In the tiny poor town of Asa Branca, in the middle of Brazilian Northeast, Roque Santeiro is worshiped as a saint. He was supposedly killed by a bandit, 18 years ago, trying to save the local church. After his disappearance, local leaderships such as landowner Sinhozinho Malta and mayor Florindo, took profit on that to control the humble population. They even make up a widow, Porcina, who should have married Roque secretly before his death. What they don't expect is that Roque is alive, and he's back to, allegedly, "save his people". Now Malta, Florindo, Porcina, and others must hold him down and explain the "truth" to their commoners, in a desperate attempt to save their own bottoms. Meanwhile, mysterious facts surround Asa Branca, such as a Werewolf, a film crew who are trying to shoot a movie about Roque's story, and violent murderers.
José Wilker
as Luis Roque Duarte ("Roque Santeiro")
Regina Duarte
as Porcina da Silva ("Viúva Porcina")
Lima Duarte
as Francisco Malta ("Sinhozinho Malta")
Paulo Gracindo
as Padre Hipôlito
Yoná Magalhães
as Matilde
Ary Fontoura
as Florindo Abelha
Eloísa Mafalda
as Ambrosina Abelha ("Dona Pombinha")
Lucinha Lins
as Mocinha Abelha
Armando Bógus
as José Aragão ("Zé das Medalhas")
Cássia Kis
as Lugolina Aragão (Dona Lulu)
Lídia Brondi
as Tânia Malta
Wanda Kosmo
as Marcelina
