The End of Man

The End of Man

Year: 1971

Runtime: 79 mins

Language: Portuguese

ComedyMysteryDrama

Discard the legend of Coffin Joe and meet Finis Hominis. A naked stranger rises from the sea, astonishing a small coastal town with inexplicable miracles. His miraculous acts quickly elevate him to the status of a modern messiah, and the ripple of his deeds threatens to reshape the entire world.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The End of Man (1971)

Trace every key event in The End of Man (1971) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Emergence from the ocean and disruption

A mysterious man emerges naked from the ocean and steps into the town of Santos. His arrival unsettles the locals and triggers a wave of strange events that gradually spread beyond the town, catching national attention. The film follows how his presence begins to influence ordinary lives.

Santos, Brazil
2

Helps a wheelchair-bound woman walk by startling her

He approaches a woman in a wheelchair and suddenly causes her to run. The unexpected action leads to the first visible change in her mobility. This moment marks the start of his broader influence over individuals in the town.

Santos streets
3

Rescues a woman and child from attackers

Threatening attackers confront a woman and her child, but he intervenes, startling them with his appearance and driving them away. The rescue demonstrates his growing power to alter dangerous situations. Bystanders begin to regard him with awe rather than fear.

Town streets
4

Outfits himself with the woman's wardrobe

He enters the home of a fashionable woman who, seeing him, retrieves pieces of her wardrobe. She outfits him with an ornate turban, sash, and baton, which he wears as part of a new persona. The transformation marks the birth of a public image.

A stylish woman's home
5

Parades through the streets in new attire

Dressed in the elaborate garments, he walks through Santos, drawing increasingly large crowds and followers. The crowds respond with a mix of fascination and reverence as he carries himself with deadpan composure. The public spectacle signals the rise of a modern myth.

Santos streets
6

A holy encounter in the church

He visits a church and goes to the altar to fill a chalice with holy water, which he then drinks. The priest mutters Finis hominis, and the man responds with a calm, puzzled question. This moment deepens the aura of sacred power surrounding him.

Church
7

Police questioning and naming

After assaulting a photographer, he is questioned by the police. When asked for his name, he reveals it as Finis Hominis, a title that echoes the priest's earlier words. The exchange solidifies his enigmatic identity in the public mind.

Police station
8

Saving lives and expanding the following

He saves the life of an adulteress and a young girl, actions that reinforce his role as a savior. News of these rescues spreads rapidly, and more people begin to follow him as his legend grows. The movement across towns starts to resemble a large, undeniable phenomenon.

Various locations
9

Resurrection illusion and messianic status

He appears to resurrect a dead man who was in temporary nervous catalepsy, shocking witnesses and fueling rumors of supernatural power. Nuns declare Finis Hominis has come to save the world, amplifying his messianic image. World leaders warn of the danger posed by his supposed powers.

Nationwide
10

Farewell from the mountaintop

He announces that the time has come for him to leave, delivering a farewell speech from a mountaintop watched by crowds worldwide. The moment marks the apex of his global reach and hints at an impending departure. The world continues to monitor his movements from afar.

Mountaintop
11

Return foretold by those in white

In the final scene, two men in white uniforms observe Finis Hominis approaching and seem pleased, suggesting that he always returns. The camera then reveals that he has returned to an insane asylum, sealing his fate within a confinement that mirrors his mysterious power.

Insane asylum

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:12

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The End of Man

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