In 13th century France, a remote village is seized by an ancient hatred. Once peacefully divided between Christians and Jews, a young convert to Christianity incites a wave of uncontrollable violence. The death of a young boy propels the community into the embrace of one of history's most evil and terrifying lies: The blood libel. Convinced that the Jews are committing hideous acts of human sacrifice, the villagers seem poised on the edge of riot and mass murder. Into this chaos enters a small delegation from Rome, summoned by the local priest who is desperate to prevent the coming slaughter. Together, they struggle against a hatred of terrible force and power, finally engaging in a dangerous game of wits against the author of the upheaval they face, who now holds the villagers firmly in his spell. With the future of the village and the lives of its Jews hanging in the balance, they press forward with a public disputation in which the village rabbi must come face to face with the young heretic - his own son.