Nazaré

António 'Tonho' Manata

Manuel Manata

Estrela (as Maria José)

Ti' Isaura Manata

Torcido (twisted)

Ti' Manel 'Peixe Mau' (bad (as José Vítor)

Emília (as Maria Schulze)

Ti' Augusto 'Mar Ruim' (as Luiz de Campos)

Gagan

João

Himself - Nazaré Boat Master

Himself - Nazaré Boat Master

The opening credits includes a collective credit to the people of Nazaré, who are used as extras and in some speaking parts. Of particular note is a gang of some eight boys, circa 10 to 12-year-olds, who on several occasions resort to petty thefts. João was one of them, but on reaching 15, he must brave the sea like a man.

The film opens with a three paragraph statement in Portuguese: "We dedicate this film to the humble people of Nazaré, to the mothers who mourn the sons that the sea has taken from them, to the brides who anguish for the men who are braving the sea waves, to the hardened fishermen who search in the sea for the bread to bring home. / Nothing you are going to see is fantasy or mere invention. We did not search for spectacular effects to impress you, fantastic tempests or horrifying shipwrecks. All comes down to a human conflict amongst simple souls, livid in the intimacy of a boat crew, and in the inquisitive contemplation of Nazaré's treacherous sea, under which bland appearance are hidden the ice-cold claws of death. / This story could have started otherwise. But it started like this..."

António Manata: What do you order, Ti' Manel?