Using interviews with close family, friends and collaborators, The Gospel According to St. Derek bears witness to Derek Jarman’s unique approach to low-budget film-making (his near-alchemical ability to turn the base components of film-making in to artistic gold, his placing of himself at the heart of all his work and his need to be part of a repertory company-type set-up). The Gospel… also promotes Derek Jarman’s importance as one of Britain's finest film-makers and acts, therefore, as a rally call to all would-be independent film-makers. This is the ’10 commandments of St. Derek ‘(who was indeed canonized by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence) on low-budget film-making.

1. Remember the home movie and always keep Super 8 holy;
2. Thou shalt not worship false profits;
3. Thou shalt enjoy the ride;
4. Thou shalt make thy films in thine own likeness;
5. Thou shalt go with the flow;
6. Thou shalt be fearless;
7. Thou shalt honour the art of design;
8. Thou shalt remember film is a wedding of light and matter;
9. Thou shalt seek the rainbow's end;
10. Thou shalt not make thyself a martyr for thine art;