There was debate amongst the four censors who viewed the original version, and due to one of them objecting fiercely to what in his eyes were unacceptable themes, the film was approved with three cuts instead of two: 1) Madalena's rape by Pedro; 2) the reading of letters at Madalena's home; 3) The child, Delfim, stands up and walks in the end scene. The first two cuts were consensual, but the third was misinterpreted as a miracle by the fourth censor, which it is not, as the story never gives proof of the boy's being permanently paralyzed.