Vincent Ward's metaphoric tale of sibling relations, AIDS and modern problems in general follows the quest of a group of medieval British villagers. Desiring an explanation of a prophetic dream, the group of miners descends into the deep recesses of Cambrian hills. They emerge in modern day Wellington, New Zealand and set about on a search for that city's cathedral spire - as seen in the dream. During their journey they encounter local dwellers and treat every commonplace modern occurrence as an obstacle of mythic proportions.