Edmundo Ferreira de Almeida

In Coimbra, law student José Duarte and the beautiful Maria de Lisboa experience an intense love story, but after finishing his studies and feeling betrayed, José Duarte abandons Maria and goes to Porto, seeking success as a singer of Coimbra fado. But, unknowingly, he leaves her pregnant with a child.

Manuel da Cruz, a young apprentice in the saddle, is discovered by the cattleman João Gama, who marvels at his skill, deciding to make him a great bullfighter.