It is Easter in the mountain village of San Blas in the territory of New Mexico shortly after the Mexican War. The secret auto-flagellant society of Penitentes is conducting its annual faux crucifixion ceremony. Six armed men, "gringos," invade the village and the religious ceremony. The Cristo and an old man are killed, a young girl is raped, and the faux Christ's young wife is kidnapped and violated. Quasi-outcast Severino, brother of the dead Cristo, who returns from scouting for the U.S. Army, alone, chases the outlaws and deals out revenge one by one.