Based on the New Testament, Salome features the world under the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Cedric Hardwicke). In the kingdom of Galilee, King Herod (Charles Laughton) and Queen Herodias (Judith Anderson) are condemned to damnation by the prophet John the Baptist (Alan Badel), who claims that Herodias is an adulteress. Meanwhile, Herod's stepdaughter, Salome (Rita Hayworth), is banished back to Galilee for attempting to marry a Roman noble. Upon her return, she falls for Claudius (Stewart Granger), who converts to Christianity. As John the Baptist is captured and put up for execution by Herodias, Salome dances for John's survival.