Melissa Gilbert, who is Jewish in real life, dons a cross in this film playing an ill-fated missionary.
After her murder is confirmed, the story goes back to how she came to this type of life.
The story is basically of a girl who was conflicted in life and while being an exchange student is Ireland, is persuaded to do missionary work in El Salvador. The problem is that Gilbert is not religious at all and argues with church officials.
The story basically becomes: "How are you going to keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paris?" Gilbert's choice is ultimately to stay in El Salvador to help the young caught up in all the violence.
Naturally, her boyfriend from America, a physician, pleads with her to come home but she must stay as she has this commitment to fulfill. Unfortunately, this commitment leads to her death.
The film deals with nothing about the political turmoil in the country. You'd never know that Communists were involved. Who is causing all this friction? A priest is slain in church and young women and children are shot down in the streets. No attempt is made to explain why all of the violence is occurring. We're just told about rebels fighting the government. What do the rebels have against the innocent people?
Gilbert does not convey the idea of a missionary. There is a good performance by Martin Sheen,as the Irish priest who brought her to this life.
After her murder is confirmed, the story goes back to how she came to this type of life.
The story is basically of a girl who was conflicted in life and while being an exchange student is Ireland, is persuaded to do missionary work in El Salvador. The problem is that Gilbert is not religious at all and argues with church officials.
The story basically becomes: "How are you going to keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paris?" Gilbert's choice is ultimately to stay in El Salvador to help the young caught up in all the violence.
Naturally, her boyfriend from America, a physician, pleads with her to come home but she must stay as she has this commitment to fulfill. Unfortunately, this commitment leads to her death.
The film deals with nothing about the political turmoil in the country. You'd never know that Communists were involved. Who is causing all this friction? A priest is slain in church and young women and children are shot down in the streets. No attempt is made to explain why all of the violence is occurring. We're just told about rebels fighting the government. What do the rebels have against the innocent people?
Gilbert does not convey the idea of a missionary. There is a good performance by Martin Sheen,as the Irish priest who brought her to this life.