At an archaeological dig in Africa Father Lankester Merrin has his first encounter with the devil incarnate. Merrin has focused on archeology rather than spiritual matters and is intrigued when a church buried beneath the sand is excavated. Inside he finds many signs of devil worship. To a great extent he has lost his faith and is particularly haunted by events during the Nazi occupation and the impact of his decisions had on his parishioners. When the devil occupies the body of a young patient in the village hospital Merrin risks his life to save him.