Father Michael Keogh (John Mills) is a dedicated Catholic priest who arrives in a sleepy Mexican village to be confronted by a murderous gang of bandits led by Anacleto (Dirk Bogarde). To intimidate the newcomer, Anacleto's gang set out on a series of murders of local villagers. The gutsy priest resolutely decides to challenge Anacleto's control of the village and a struggle ensues. Despite their rivalry Anacleto develops a grudging respect for the priest and is desperate to determine if he is drawn to the singer (the priest) or the song (religion). The film reaches a climax with a dramatic confrontation between the two men over a local girl, Locha (Mylene Demongeot), who falls for the handsome priest. The film is an intricate, brooding and dramatically played story filmed against spectacular scenery.
