Baptism of Blood (2007) Plot Summary Explained

The friars were motivated by their Christian convictions to oppose Brazil's military regime. Inspired by their faith, they chose to support the leftist guerrilla movement Ação Libertadora Nacional, providing shelter, resources, and moral support to the resistance.

Foreshadowing: The film's title 'Baptism of Blood' hints at the religious sacrifice and martyrdom the friars would endure.

• dominican friars
• resistance
• military dictatorship
• christian convictions
• brazil 1968

After capturing friars Ivo and Fernando in Rio de Janeiro, police tortured them during interrogation. Under duress, they revealed the location where they received calls from their leader. This information allowed Delegado Fleury to pinpoint where Marighella would appear, leading to his death.

• marighella
• police
• torture
• interception
• captura

Tito was released in exchange for the West German ambassador Ehrenfried von Holleben, who had been kidnapped by the guerrilla movement. This prisoner swap freed Tito but forced him into exile in France.

Foreshadowing: The exchange foreshadows Tito's separation from Brazil and his ultimate fate.

• tito
• exchange
• ambassador
• exile
• west german

Tito was psychologically scarred by the torture he endured during his detention. During torture, he attempted suicide, which Fleury branded as an act of cowardice. The trauma of torture combined with his exile and the loss of his fellow friars led him to take his own life in Éveux, France in 1974.

• tito
• suicide
• torture
• trauma
• france 1974

Frei Diogo, the superior of the friars, urged caution and advised them to spread out into smaller, safer cells. This measure was meant to protect both the brothers and their mission from being completely exposed if any member was captured.

Foreshadowing: This advice proves tragic as Ivo and Fernando are later captured together.

• frei diogo
• disperse
• caution
• protection
• cells

Ivo and Fernando were intercepted in Rio de Janeiro by security forces and subjected to severe torture. They were accused of betraying the Church and Brazil. During interrogation, forced confessions led them to reveal where they received orders from their leader, ultimately resulting in Marighella's death.

• ivo
• fernando
• capture
• torture
• rio de janeiro

Betto was captured in Rio Grande do Sul and arrested at the Tiradentes penitentiary in São Paulo, where he was held alongside his fellow friars. He was tried and sentenced to four years in prison along with the other Dominican brothers.

• betto
• arrest
• rio grande do sul
• tiradentes prison

The friars were judged and sentenced to four years in prison for their involvement in the resistance against the military dictatorship. This sentence reflected the regime's harsh measures against dissent.

• sentença
• prisão
• quatro anos
• julgamento

Carlos Marighella was the leader of Ação Libertadora Nacional, the communist guerrilla movement the friars supported. His death at the hands of police headed by Fleury represented a significant defeat for the resistance, eliminating a key figure in the fight against the dictatorship.

• marighella death
• guerrilla movement
• ação libertadora nacional
• blow to resistance

The friars adopted code names, Frei Tito, Frei Betto, Frei Oswaldo, Frei Fernando, and Frei Ivo, to protect their identities while operating in the resistance. This measure was necessary for their covert operations against the military regime.

• code names
• aliases
• friars
• covert operations
• protection