An Irish rogue wins the heart of a rich widow and assumes her dead husband's aristocratic position in 18th-century England.

Thracian Spartacus, who was born and raised a slave, rebels against the atrocities that his owners inflict upon him. However, his life changes when he is sold to gladiator trainer Batiatus.

During World War I, commanding officer General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) orders his subordinate, General Mireau (George Macready), to attack a German trench position, offering a promotion as an incentive. Though the mission is foolhardy to the point of suicide, Mireau commands his own subordinate, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas), to plan the attack. When it ends in disaster, General Mireau demands the court-martial of three random soldiers in order to save face.