A political thriller depicting the 19-day crisis leading to President Getúlio Vargas's suicide following the Rua Toneleros assassination attempt.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Toneleros Shooting
The assassination attempt on journalist Carlos Lacerda ignites a political firestorm, immediately placing President Vargas under intense scrutiny and launching a high-stakes investigation.
Key Events
Rua Toneleros Shooting — Assassination attempt on Lacerda results in Major Vaz's death, igniting the crisis. Characters: Carlos Lacerda, Coronel Scaffa, Getúlio VargasLocation: Rua Toneleros, Rio de Janeiro
Police Headquarters — Scaffa establishes the command center for the official investigation. Characters: Coronel Scaffa, Carlos LacerdaLocation: Rio de Janeiro Police HQ
Initial Investigation Launch — Scaffa begins tracing ballistic evidence while Lacerda demands transparency. Characters: Coronel Scaffa, Carlos LacerdaLocation: Police Headquarters
Political Fallout Begins — Vargas faces mounting pressure from political allies as media coverage intensifies. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, Ministro Nero Moura, Tancredo NevesLocation: Planalto Palace
The Siege of Power
Military generals and political allies demand resignation as forensic evidence points to the presidential guard, fracturing Vargas's support base and escalating public protests.
Key Events
Military Demands Resignation — Generals threaten a coup unless Vargas steps down to preserve democratic order. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, General Zenóbio da Costa, General Caiado de CastroLocation: Military Headquarters
Family Crisis at Home — Vargas's family grapples with the looming political storm and public scrutiny. Characters: Alzira Vargas, Benjamin Vargas, Lutero VargasLocation: Presidential Residence
Public Outcry Intensifies — Mass protests erupt across Rio, demanding accountability for the shooting. Characters: Carlos Lacerda, Getúlio VargasLocation: Rio Streets
Ballistics Evidence — Forensic proof definitively links the shots to Gregório Fortunato's presidential guard unit. Characters: Coronel Scaffa, Carlos LacerdaLocation: Police Lab
Vargas Denies Involvement — Vargas publicly denies ordering the assassination in a televised address. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, Ministro Nero MouraLocation: Presidential Office
Isolation and Despair
Abandoned by ministers and pressured by the army, Vargas retreats to the palace while his family grapples with the impending crisis and personal loyalty.
Key Events
Allies Abandon President — Political advisors urge Vargas to resign to save the republic from military intervention. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, Tancredo Neves, Ministro Nero MouraLocation: Private Meeting Room
Military Ultimatum — Generals issue a final deadline for resignation, signaling imminent coup preparations. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, General Zenóbio da Costa, General Caiado de CastroLocation: Palace Gates
Alzira's Plea — Wife begs husband to flee and preserve their legacy rather than face ruin. Characters: Alzira Vargas, Getúlio VargasLocation: Bedroom
Sons' Loyalty Tested — Sons debate whether to support their father or prioritize national stability. Characters: Benjamin Vargas, Lutero Vargas, Getúlio VargasLocation: Study
Suicide Note Draft — Vargas retreats to his office, drafting his final political testament. Characters: Getúlio VargasLocation: Presidential Palace
The Final Testament
Facing an inevitable coup, Vargas drafts his suicide note and takes his own life, leaving a legacy that ultimately reshapes Brazilian democracy.
Key Events
Final Cabinet Meeting — Last attempt to negotiate a peaceful transition of power fails. Characters: Getúlio Vargas, Ministro Nero Moura, Tancredo NevesLocation: Council Chamber
Military Mobilization — Forces prepare to seize power if Vargas refuses to step down. Characters: General Zenóbio da Costa, General Caiado de CastroLocation: Army Barracks
Lacerda's Demands — Journalist insists on full investigation and trial, refusing political compromise. Characters: Carlos LacerdaLocation: Press Conference Hall
Vargas's Final Walk — President walks alone to his private office, accepting his fate. Characters: Getúlio VargasLocation: Palace Corridor
The Suicide — Vargas shoots himself, leaving a political testament that shocks the nation. Characters: Getúlio VargasLocation: Presidential Office
Nation in Shock — News of the death triggers national mourning and rapid political realignment. Characters: Alzira Vargas, Benjamin Vargas, Lutero Vargas, Carlos LacerdaLocation: Rio de Janeiro
Story Breakdown
Inciting Incident — The failed assassination of Carlos Lacerda at Rua Toneleros results in Major Vaz's death, triggering a national political crisis.
Investigation & Evidence — Coronel Scaffa leads the inquiry, with ballistics evidence pointing directly to Gregório Fortunato's presidential guard unit.
Political Fallout — Lacerda leverages media coverage to demand accountability, while Vargas faces mounting pressure from allies and the public.
Rising Action — The political siege intensifies as military hardliners and cabinet ministers fracture, forcing Vargas into isolation.
Military Pressure — Generals Zenóbio da Costa and Caiado de Castro issue ultimatums, threatening a coup to preserve democratic order.
Cabinet Fracture — Ministers Nero Moura and Tancredo Neves advise resignation, abandoning Vargas to prevent national instability.
Family Dynamics — Alzira, Benjamin, and Lutero Vargas navigate emotional strain, debating loyalty versus political survival.
Climax — Trapped between military mobilization and political abandonment, Vargas makes his final decision.
Isolation — Vargas retreats to the presidential palace, drafting his final political testament.
The Suicide — Facing inevitable deposition, Vargas takes his own life, leaving a document that shifts Brazil's political trajectory.
Resolution — The aftermath of the suicide reshapes the nation's political landscape and historical memory.
Public Reaction — National mourning and shock trigger rapid political realignment and military de-escalation.
Historical Legacy — Vargas's suicide note becomes a foundational text for Brazilian democracy, cementing his complex historical legacy.
The movie depicts the political crisis that led to the suicide of president Getúlio Vargas, in the 19 days that preceded August 24, 1954. The crisis began with the attempted assassination of journalist and politician Carlos Lacerda in August 5, 1954, at rua Toneleros, Rio de Janeiro, in which Major Vaz was assassinated instead. Investigations pointed to Gregório Fortunato, chief of Vargas' personal guard, as the orderer of the frustrated assassination. This incident was one of the most importants in the history of Brazil.
