Set in the countryside of northern France in the 1920s, it tells the story of a tormented young priest who has spiritual gifts but agonises over what good he can do in a world under the grip of evil.

Newly ordained as a Catholic priest, Donissan is sent to a rural parish under the care of the experienced Menou-Segrais.

When he confesses to Menou-Segaris how unworthy he feels at his chosen task, the older man says it is not too late to choose another career but he can see in Donissan a great power for good.

This outrageous behaviour earns him a transfer to another parish, where the people begin to recognise that he is a holy man though he is still in spiritual turmoil.

The strain of his mental torments and the demands of his parishioners make him increasingly ill. One night he is attacked by Satan, and asks God to keep him alive if there is still use for him.

[4] Janet Maslin wrote in The New York Times in 1987: "Though it deals with theology and rises to a stunning test of faith, Under Satan's Sun has a thoroughly secular style.

It's a work of great subtlety, some difficulty and tremendous assurance, one that demands and deserves close attention.

"[5]Nigel Floyd wrote in Time Out London: "Pialat's ascetic meditation on faith, sainthood, and the nature of evil is a film of shattering intensity.

Through the coldly-lit images and restrained flesh-and-blood performances, self-confessed atheist Pialat insists on the absolute reality of events, an approach which allows something intangible (spiritual?)

"[6]Stanley Kauffmann of The New Republic wrote "It's the finest French film since Therese and Vagabond.

It was the first time in 21 years that the Palme d'Or went to a French film; Claude Lelouch had last won it in 1966 for A Man and a Woman.