Father Gabriel ascends the mountains of Brazil to bring christianity to the natives. He is successful and brings about a golden age among them. Mendoza, a slaver, kills his brother in a fit of rage, and only Fr. Gabriel's guidance prevents his suicide. Gabriel brings Mendoza to work at his mission with the natives, and Mendoza finds peace and asks to become a priest. The church , under pressure, cedes the land to the Portuguese which will allow slavers in again. Mendoza breaks his vows and organizes the natives to resist while Gabriel warns him to help them as a priest.

Many of the people who played the natives were actual native South Americans who spoke little English. They were given free reign to say whatever lines they wanted, and it is rumored that in a couple scenes they're actually cursing up a storm.

Hontar:
We must work in the world, your eminence. The world is thus.


Altamirano:
No, Señor Hontar. Thus have we made the world... thus have I made it.

Continuity: When Gabriel slips on the rocks near the beginning, climbing shoes are briefly visible before we once again see Gabriel climbing barefoot.

Composed by Ennio Morricone