Romero

It happened in 1932.

Atanza!

They killed us!

It happened in the election...

Of 1945 and 1950!

- They killed us! - It happened...

In the one-candidate election of 1962.

They robbed us!

It happened in the election...

- Where the winner kept changing. - We need reinforcements.

Even though the voting was long since completely done!

They robbed us!

and now, 1977,

and this time, we will not stand for it anymore!

We will occupy this plaza...

Until there is a true election,

a free election!

Freedom, freedom, freedom!

Freedom , freedom!

Freedom, freedom!

Freedom, freedom, freedom! Freedom, freedom!

Freedom, freedom, freedom!

Freedom, freedom, freedom!

Everybody who's finished voting,

please get back on the bus.

Thank you.

Alfonso, take care of these two that never voted.

Let's go! Everybody line up over there to vote.

Good morning.

Hey, Fernando, listen.

Pick up the bus at El Paisnal,

and take it to San Martin.

There are 100 more voters waiting for you. Hurry.

Come.

Look at them.

We need more voting papers over here.

I cursed the rain. I cursed the dirt.

But after the land was saved,

I knew I loved it, too.

It was ours.

But now,

they came and said we had to go.

We were only sharecroppers. We had no rights.

When we wouldn't go, they burned our homes.

They left us with nothing.

It's God's will.

Who says it's God's will?

I think God looks at these things and vomits!

What's the matter?

Oscar, what are you thinking?

What are you doing?

I am not doing anything.

It is the people that are doing it, at last.

Archbishop Chavez says you are going too fast.

What do you think?

I’ve always believed in you and your strength, your ideals.

But some are even saying you're a...

Sub--subversive, an agitator.

Remember who else they called such names.

Jesus is not somewhere up in the clouds...

Lying in a hammock.

Jesus is down here with us, building a kingdom.

Oscar,

what else can I do?

I cannot love God, whom I do not see,

if I do not love my brothers and sisters,

whom I can see.

Father Grande!

Father Grande!

They're stopping buses on the road.

The voters can't get through.

Where?

On the road from El Paisnal.

It's okay now.

Everybody out!

We have to get to Aguilares to vote.

Tell that to the guerillas.

They're trying to sabotage the election.

The road is closed.

Good afternoon, lieutenant.

These people want to get to the polls.

There are snipers shooting at anything that moves.

The polls close in 3 hours.

I’m sorry, but I cannot jeopardize...

The safety of all of these people.

They say the road is too dangerous.

We'll take the risk!

These buses are not going anyplace.

The lieutenant will not let us drive to Aguilares,

so...

Shall we walk?

Yes, father! Shall we walk?

Yes, father!

Come, lieutenant,

you can protect us. Come, lieutenant,

you can protect us.

You don't need me.

No terrorist would dare shoot at the church.

I’ll see the jeep gets back, Monsignor.

A little walk will do you good.

Martinez!

Keep moving. Come on!

They've been trying to kill these people.

First, they will have to kill us.

We walk in the protection of the Lord.

Jesus was vulnerable. Don't think we're not.

What should we be, cowards?

Not cowards, but not heroes either.

Just ordinary people trying to do our job.

So are the soldiers.

You know, I think that pretty soon,

they won't allow the Bible into our country anymore.

All we'll get is the bindings, because everything inside,

all the pages, will be declared revolutionary.

Tilio, you should be the one...

Taking Archbishop Chavez's place.

I'm not even a bishop.

But you can talk. You know the people.

We need someone who can change things,

before it's too late.

Rivera-y-damas is a good man.

The worst be Romero.

Not even the Vatican is that crazy.

He'd fiddle while El Salvador burns.

We won't let El Salvador burn.

Come in.

Oscar.

Hello, Monsignor.

Are you all right?

I'm fine. I'm just tired.

It's been a difficult day.

I have some news for you.

Please sit down, Monsignor.

I think you may need to sit down.

You have been appointed archbishop.

I’m not qualified.

The Vatican has every confidence,

and I will support you.

Others won't.

It is not an easy time.

What should I do?

What God wants.

What is that?

He's a good compromise choice.

He'll make no waves.

He's a bookworm.

The whole country could be running wild,

and he wouldn't even notice it.

The military will keep a lid on things.

They might need to,

and you might get another medal.

Perhaps.

Anyway, his health is delicate.

It always has been. He won't last.

Yes, give him a happy death soon.

Shhhh.

I come from a world of books,

and there is much to learn in their pages.

But I have much else to learn.

There is ferment and division...

Alive in our land.

Certain priests accept...

And express the most radical ideas glibly.

But none of us can pretend to know all the answers,

and demand that others implement them.

We in the church...

Must keep to the center, watchfully,

in the traditional way,

but seeking justice.

Monsignor, may I present the president-elect and his wife.

Best wishes, Monsignor.

We seem to share victories.

Yes.

We hope more than that.

We must work closely together.

Yes, general.

Thank you.

Monsignor.

Monsignor, this is for you,

with the best wishes of our family.

Thank you.

We have a house in Escalon, too.

It would be our privilege to offer it to you...

As a home, as a quiet place to get away to.

I hope you will baptize our daughter's new baby, Monsignor.

It would be my privilege.

Monsignor.

We had to bring you a little something, too,

for all your books.

It's very beautiful.

After the reception, you must have a quiet lunch with us,

just the three of us.

Will you excuse me for a moment, please?

It's good to see you!

It's not so much.

It's nothing compared to --

but I brought you something, too.

This is what I really needed!

I know.

shhhh.