Soldado de Deus

Documentary about a right-wing political organization in the 1930s Brazil, called "Integralismo", with fascist and nationalistic ideals, and its founder, Plínio Salgado.


　　This is a documentary that will appeal to, and indeed be understood by, a very small group of people - those versed in Brazilian political history. Others will find it hard to connect the multiple interviews this film consists of, and of following the political references and people/personalities involved.


　　If you follow Brazilian political history, however, this documentary may be for you. It does not reveal anything new, nor does it shine new light on past events. It simply is a study of "integralismo" from its beginning to its end, suggesting that its end was at least somewhat absorbed by the Military Government of 1964-1985.


　　It would seem the film maker wants to document for posterity the history and soul of "integralismo" - a 1930s right-wing Brazilian political movement with at least some touches of German National Socialism and Italian Fascism. The picture focuses on the movement's principal mentor, Plínio Salgado - THE SOLDIER OF GOD, thus the title name.


　　Some witnesses (including those now deceased ones using archive footage) recount what they helped to establish, fight for, and put in place. Others are shown, some who always condemned the movement, judged and criticized it, along with those who were students at the time. This right wing nationalist movement mobilized about a million people, having 500 thousand members, and was the first right wing party of the masses in Brazil. Interesting, but to a very limited group of viewers.