400 Against 1: A History of Organized Crime

William da Silva Lima is the lone survivor of the group that helped form the Comando Vermelho in the late 1970s. The film follows his life inside Ilha Grande, where he shares a prison population that includes men jailed under the same National Security Law, and it shows how his influence reshaped conduct and comradeship behind bars. Outside the walls, scenes shift to the early 1980s streets of Rio de Janeiro as his comrades pull off brazen robberies that rile the police. Interwoven with the crimes is a tender, unexpected romance between William and Teresa, balancing intimate moments with daring escapes and confrontations.

Released in 2010, the film was directed by Caco Souza and created by Victor Navas. The cast includes Daniel de Oliveira as William, Daniela Escobar as Teresa, Fabrício Boliveira, Negra Li and Jefferson Brasil, giving the story a distinctly Brazilian production and perspective.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in a 5.5/10 average from 36 votes. Reviewers often praised the film's focus on prison solidarity and the moral tensions of organized crime, while noting uneven pacing and varying production polish. Major themes include loyalty, the social roots of criminal groups, and the human costs of state repression.

Box office and distribution details are limited, the film did not break into major international markets and appears to have had a primarily domestic and festival presence. It found most of its audience in Brazil rather than through wide commercial release.

Among Brazilian viewers and scholars interested in criminal history, the movie prompted conversations about the origins of Comando Vermelho and the conditions that shaped prisoner networks. Its depiction of life inside Ilha Grande and the mix of romance with violent acts gave it a distinct place in portrayals of organized crime on screen in Brazil.