 An estimated 2.5 million viewers in 20 countries saw the movie.Roger Ebert described the film in the "Chicago Sun-Times" as "a rough, unblinking look at lives no human being should be required to lead.And the eyes of Fernando Ramos da Silva, [Babenco's] doomed young actor, regard us from the screen not in hurt, not in accusation, not in regret - but simply in acceptance of a desolate daily reality."