The film takes place in Northern Ireland during the 1950s and centers around Father McAteer, a kind priest who is well-liked by the altar boys. One of these boys, a dreamer who lives in a small village, becomes fascinated with the legend of Barrabas, also known as "the good thief", who was saved from crucifixion with Jesus. The boy also has a close relationship with the Virgin Mary and believes in her miracles. When he encounters a suspicious man hiding in his family's warehouse, he is convinced that the man is Barrabas. However, the man is actually an IRA member on the run from the police. As the boy continues to interact with the man, claiming that the Virgin Mary is communicating with him, Father McAteer becomes obsessed with the idea that the boy is experiencing miraculous visions. He begins to investigate the boy's claims, eventually informing the authorities and the archbishop about the alleged miracles, which could potentially lead to the boy's canonization.
Screen Two
In 1950s Northern Ireland, a young boy's curious observations spark a remarkable series of events when a local priest becomes convinced that the Virgin Mary has appeared in the picturesque countryside.
