The third film adaptation of Thorton Wilder's novel takes place in the 18th century in Lima, Peru. The tragic accident in which the rope bridge of St. Louis King collapses into the abyss will require 5 human lives. The priest Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) sets out to the place of disaster - he wants to learn more about (seemingly unrelated) lives of victims and, on the basis of the information found, assess whether it was God's intention or indeed an unfortunate coincidence…