Running time 95  minutes
Language Brazilian
(subtitled in English)
Format 35 mm Technicolor Techniscope
Sound Optical mono  

JOÃO AND THE KNIFE  (1972)
____________________________________

Starring
Joffre Soares , Ana Maria Miranda

Directed by
George Sluizer

Plot Summary
Based on a Brazilian poem by Odylo Costa Filho and very attractive set in the country’s Amazonian and Northeast hinterlands, Joao and the Knife is a hauntingly strange and visually stunning picture. A poor and elderly hunter and cattleranger marries  Maria, a 19-year old village girl, against logic and advice. As he cannot give his young bride children, he travels to the Amazonian forest to make some money to give her a better life. On his return as a rich man four years later, he finds Maria carrying a three-year old little girl. Joao, a simple man who has never lied in his life, doubts about the fidelity of his wife. He buys a knife before returning to their village. A long trip through the jungle. Will Joao be able to refrain from hurting the one he loves so much?

Screenplay by
George Sluizer
Based on the poem “ A Faca e o Rio” by Odylo Costa Filho

Produced by
George Sluizer
Associate producer
Anne Lordon
A Sluizer Films Production

Crew
Director of Photography – Jan de Bont
Music by – Heitor Villa-Lobos
Editor – Jan Dop
Art director – Virgilio Costa
Sound recording – Juarez Dagoberto Costa, Tom Tholen
Production manager – Chris Rodrigues
Production advisor – Pim de la Parra

Main cast
João – Joffre Soares
Maria – Ana Maria Miranda
The Judge – João-Augusto Azevedo
Zeferino – Douglas Santos
Deodato – João Batista
Dona Ana – Aurea Souza Campos

1 | 2

next movie >