During the 1977 Salvadoran presidential election, the public was at an all-time high due to concerns about election fraud. In the Marxist Leninist guerrilla rebellion launched by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, the anti communist military dictatorship used execution squads for kidnapping, torture, and; Disappearing "; Anyone who talks about their poor human rights record. The military also prevented ordinary voters from going to polling stations; On election day, soldiers blocked a bus carrying people into the city. When people decide to walk, the military will shoot their vans, leaving them with no means of transportation back. The Vatican has elevated the theological conservative Oscar Anulfo Romero (played by Ra ú l Julia) to the position of Archbishop of San Salvador, hoping that he will not get involved in politics. Although Romero does not care about politics, he is concerned about the growing hostility of the government. He initially did not incite anti-government sentiment, but as he served as Archbishop for more and more time, he saw evidence of deception, oppression, and systematic murder. Afterwards, he was unable to support the government with conscience and began to speak out. [4] Father Rutilio Grande (played by Richard Jordan) is an outspoken Jesuit missionary who defends Father Romero's poor and close friends. After his assassination, Romero began to oppose the government's policies, prompting the government to order death squads to retaliate against priests in his archdiocese. After failing to rescue pro government hostages from pro Soviet guerrillas with a poor ransom, Romero discovers that his friend, Father Osuna (played by Alejandro Bracho), a radical critic of the military regime, has been captured and tortured. After ensuring his release, Romero incited a boycott of the inauguration ceremony of the elected president, openly challenging him and attending mass in a church taken over by the Salvadoran military. Later, he attempted to secure the release of a soldier who had been taken hostage by guerrillas as Father Osuna, but was arrested in the process. Despite Romero's protest, Father Osuna was subsequently tortured to death. Romero was not intimidated, he refused the guerrilla's violent methods, but was assassinated during Mass, especially during communion. The film ends with text: Archbishop Romero was murdered on March 24, 1980. He revealed an unsettling truth. Many people choose not to listen. Therefore, between 1980 and 1989, over 60000 Salvadorans were killed. But the struggle for peace and freedom, justice and dignity continues. By 1992, at the end of the Salvadoran Civil War (three years after filming), the total death toll of Salvadorans had increased to over 75000.
