Martin and Hazel Quarrier are small-town fundamentalist missionaries sent to the jungles of South America to convert the Indians. Their remote mission was previously run by the Catholics, before the natives murdered them all. They are sent by the pompous Leslie Huben, who runs the missionary effort in the area but who seems more concerned about competing with his Catholic 'rivals' than in the Indians themselves. Hazel is terrified of the Indians while Martin is fascinated. Soon American pilot Lewis Moon joins the Indian tribe but is attracted by Leslie's young wife, Andy. Can the interaction of these characters and cultures, and the advancing bulldozers of civilization, avoid disaster?

Producer Saul Zaentz first tried to make this film in 1965, only to find that MGM owned the rights. He kept trying to buy them every time there was an administrative change at MGM up until 1989 when new studio heads Jay Kanter and Alan Ladd Jr decided that MGM would not be making the film. Zaentz still had to pay $1.4 million for the rights.

Martin Quarrier:
The next time you strike an Indian for any reason whatsoever, it is you who is going to be sent away. They are different from us, they don't understand! And besides that, it could be very dangerous for us all.


Hazel Quarrier:
Do you want Billy seeing their filthy tricks?


Martin Quarrier:
It will not seem filthy to him unless we make it so. Honey, it is very natural.


Hazel Quarrier:
Natural? And if one of those nasty little savages puts a hand on him?


Martin Quarrier:
Then he might enjoy it.

Written by Nicky Holland, Hal David, Franne Golde
Performed by Céline Dion
Courtesy of Epic Records