The story of a German scientist/stage magician eking out a miserly life in Rio de Janeiro's favelas until getting involved in an improbable kidnapping and ransom plot.

Paolo Villaggio
as Prof. Otto von Kranz

José Wilker
as Leleco

Adolfo Celi
as Carcamano

Vittoria Chamas
as Dosdores

Maria Rosa
as Raimonda

Walter D'Ávila
as Fittipaldi

Geneson Alexandre de Souza
as Pelè

José Joaquim Soares
as Abdullah, l'autista