In the beginning of the movie, Rodrigo is acting opposite God's will. He is engaged in the slave trade, in actually capturing indigenous people and shooting others for sport. We are given the possibility of premarital sex between Rodrigo and his girlfriend. He also ends up killing his brother in revenge for his brother's relationship with Rodrigo's ex-girlfriend. We see flaws in his characters, his quick temper, easy to anger, and desire to take action and fight at any possible moment.

Immediately after killing his brother, we see Rodrigo in a room in the Church. He is sorry for what he has done. Rodrigo loved his brother, so he mourns for his brother and gives up hope for his life, not eating and not speaking to anyone. He is extremely regretful for his actions. Father Gabriel then walks in and tells Rodrigo that God still loves him. Rodrigo does not believe Father Gabriel. He claims that there is nothing he can do to make God love him or forgive him for his sins. But Father Gabriel attacks Rodrigo's pride, asking him if he is manly enough to try anything to attempt to reconcile himself with God.

Rodrigo responds, he decides that he will drag/carry his armor, the essence of his military, warlike life before, and travel with Father Gabriel to the Indian village. He struggles but succeeds, dragging the weight across the ground, through the river, up the waterfalls, and up mountains. The movie shows a great part of his journey, when he is worn and tired, almost to the top of a climb, and the net catches on a root. Rodrigo is stubborn, working against the root, continuously pulling in the same direction and trying no other way to raise the load. Another traveler with him decides to try to help and cuts the rope. Rodrigo is so stubborn he returns to the bottom of the hill and carries the armor all the way up.

Rodrigo does not understand why he is doing this, he thinks that he needs to be punished. Rodrigo doesn't understand that he doesn't need to punish himself but needs to come to an understanding of God and His love for him, bringing about Rodrigo's forgiveness of himself and love of God.

When they finally arrive at the Indian village, Rodrigo is the last to arrive, behind all the others. The Indians recognize him as a slaver. They forgive him and get rid of his armor. Rodrigo finally understands that God forgives him and that he is a good person who has done wrong. This is such a relief that he cries and releases all of his pain.

In the Indian village Rodrigo helps the Jesuits work with the people, helping them live together in Christ. It is best to look at Rodrigo's relationship with one Indian boy who is shown many times. At the beginning of their relationship the boy is mistrustful of Rodrigo, even afraid of him. He might remember Rodrigo taking his clansmen and women as slaves. But by talking to and putting time into his relationship with Rodrigo, the boy finds the joy and love in Rodrigo, leading to a deep friendship that lasts throughout the movie. This represents Rodrigo's relationship with God. Rodrigo initially sees God as a revenging God who wants us to suffer for our wrongs. But through interaction with God through Father Gabriel and the Indigenous People, Rodrigo finds the absolute forgiveness and love of God.