User Reviews

Though based on the real accounts written by one of its original members, criminal William da Silva Lima, "400 Contra 1" is mostly a fictional retelling of the rise of one of the most violent organizations to ever exist in Brazil, the notorious Commando Vermelho (Red Command), with actions, rebellions and robberies since the 1970's and still in existence. The group was one of the few criminal organizations to defy the military regime and be successful with some of their actions, by demanding better conditions in prison, on an island facility where they were divided with other subversive elements, political prisoners. The ones who were out of prison kept robbing banks and sending money from the imprisoned comrades, and even helping to get out of there in spectacular jailbreaks.

The disclaimer at the beginning is upsetting and very mood killer, considering that the Command exists and using the real version of the facts would provide an excellent movie. First-time director Caco Souza manages to reach an average scale, disappointing some viewers or satisfying them but not that much. As an action movie the movie has its thrilling moments (when the Command decides to eliminate a rival faction in the prison after a failed breakout) but others don't convince, despite a TV archive footage tells us that it happened. I'm referring to the sequence that gives title to the book and movie, which is a standout between one criminal against 400 cops outside of a building. The news informs us that a whole battalion was there to arrest (or kill) this one guy, but c'mon, I think the film could alter this reality a bit. Why no one got up there and verified that the guy was alone? By the time the police acted, hours of shooting went by.

What's discussed about "400 Contra 1" is what it tries to do and the perception people get from it. It's not a glorification of crime, though it can be perceived as a praise to what the Command was initially. It's simply the story of a group that started with some idealism, with dangerous criminals protesting against the different status they were brought into when they were put on that island where political prisoners had more benefits than the ordinary bandits, but in the end they've become a more powerful cell, more violent, leaving jail and occupying slums and entering in different business, including drug and human traffic. This latter part isn't shown in the movie, neither the big names that achieved notoriety with their crimes. Here, we follow the book's author William (played by the always reliable Daniel de Oliveira) and it's very easy to feel some empathy for him cause he's made out to be this way, while fighting with the injustices and brutalities of prison life. And he's in such a good light that it's amazing that, even being a leader and someone who knows how to handle everything, but you never see him killing anyone through the whole thing.

Unattentive viewers felt really bothered with the excessive flashbacks between 1971 (and through the whole decade when they were in jail) and 1980 (the bank robbery). The annoying editing makes perfectly clear when the action takes place each segment is presented (painfully didactic and intrusive) but those cuts back and forth should've reduced to the max. If presented chronologically it would be better, with jump cuts to the 1980's action which would keep the movie strong and gripping. The cast is a little doubtful with some good and some bad choices, but in the end it all works out, and the greatest quality of the movie is its soundtrack filled with soul and funk tracks. When I put "funk" I'm meaning the American style, which influenced some Brazilian works, the one with rhythm and not the one we hear with exploitative sexual lyrics. By the way, this might be the first instance of a Brazilian criminal movie made lighter than the likes of "City of God" and "Elite Squad", it doesn't feel Rated R. That might have disappointed some.

Can't dismiss the movie cause I've seen qualities in it, the story was thrilling despite its obstacles and lack of criticism on the faction. But a documentary about it would suit best. 8/10

P.S.: to the user who reviewed about the prisoner's shame of getting his head shaven, wrongly viewed as a choice between death or have his head shaven by the authorities (that's not the real meaning of the scene) is that he's bothered because he lost his sense of identification, becoming instead what the prison bosses tell them he must be. Have in mind, they were granted certain liberties then, as not using uniforms and not have their hair cut.