Directed by Vincent Sherman and filmed in color, it stars Horst Buchholz as Cervantes, Gina Lollobrigida as a prostitute with whom he becomes involved, José Ferrer as Hassan Bey, the Turk who held Cervantes in captivity, Louis Jourdan as Cardinal Giulio Acquaviva, and Fernando Rey as King Philip II.

During the 16th century, we follow the adventures and romances of the young and passionate Miguel de Cervantes, who would later become the author of Don Quixote.

From his clashes with Cardinal Giulio Acquaviva and Ottoman Hassan Bey, to his alliance with Pope Pius IV, his tumultuous love affair with the beautiful Roman courtesan Giulia Toffoli, his involvement in battles alongside Philip II of Spain against the Moors, and his bravery in the naval battle of Lepanto where he lost the use of his left arm, to his capture by pirates alongside his brother Rodrigo and their imprisonment in Algiers by Hassan Bey.

Miguel gains a significant reputation for his military exploits, and while in captivity, he meets Nessa, a young girl who inspires the character of Dulcinea del Toboso.

During negotiations, Hassan Bey enslaves the brothers, but Miguel incites a rebellion, leading to his torture and death sentence.