En México, a principios del siglo XX, el humilde cura Nazarín comparte su pobreza con los necesitados que habitan alrededor del mesón de Chanfa. Después de proteger a una prostituta que provoca el incendio del mesón, Nazarín se ve obligado a abandonar el lugar. A lo largo de su camino, sus acciones, determinadas por su concepto de la caridad cristiana, provocarán una serie de conflictos.
A humble provincial writer who wants to publish his first book offers it to a film producer who is looking for locations for a film at that time. The novelist's family then moves to the big city, where they will have to face many adversities that will make them wish they had never left their village.
