When Francisco Manoel de Silva (Kinski) impregnates the three daughters of his plantation-owning employer, he is sent to West Africa to round up slaves. The irate land baron hopes the cynical and libidinous Francisco will meet certain death in the African jungles at the hands of hostile natives. Francisco instead manages to overthrow a mad monarch and set himself up as king.

“The film contains… moments that have a clarity and power beyond the reach of reason.” – New York Times