It's important to say that every relevant character displayed in the book is also contained in the movie, although their personalities and acting quality are very poor. That is by far the only good characteristic of the movie. Jorge Amado's novel was produced very badly, once the book's most important passages are completely neglected on the movie which leads to a non-linear and highly segmented story. In this context, if one watches the movie without reading the novel it's very likely that the movie will not be understood, because its main goal was entirely forgotten. Cecília Amado hasn't produced her grandfather's novel in a way it'd be considered a neat contribution to Brazilian literature's history. By the same token, it should be not shown to people who've not read the book yet, it may destroy Jorge Amado's great work. The movie is simply rubish.
Review of Capitães da Areia
