In1972,Brazilwasinthedarkestdaysofthemilitarydictatorshipthathadseizedpowereightyearsbefore.WorkingforItaliantelevision,deAndradeembarkedonare-creationoftheInconfidenciaMineira,theMineiranConspiracy,fledglinggroupsofrebelsbasedinMinasGeraisinthelate18thcenturywhoquestionedPortuguesecolonialauthority.ThefilmalternatesbetweenscenesofclandestinemeetingsandlaterinterrogationsandeventortureapointedreferencetowhatwashappeninginBrazilatthetime.AtthecenteroftheseeventsisTiradentes(beautifullyplayedbyJoseWilker),alowerclassrebelwhosedefianceoftheauthoritiesathistrialwouldmakehimanationalsymbol.YetthesufferingofTiradentesallowsthebetter-connectedupper-classmembersoftheconspiracytogolargelyunpunished,anotheraspectofthestorywithuncomfortablerelevanceinthe70s.TheConspiratorsislivinghistoryinthemostexcitingsenseoftheterm,alookatthepastthatclearlybecomesamirrorforthepresent.