After devoted Christian believer Androcles (Alan Young) removes a thorn from a wild lion's paw, his act of mercy comes full circle in the Colosseum, where he is sent to be mauled by the very beast he helped. Meanwhile, lovely Lavinia (Jean Simmons), a Roman captain (Victor Mature) and even Caesar himself (Maurice Evans) debate the virtues of this new Christian religion. Chester Erskine directs this comedic adaption of George Bernard Shaw's play.