His son, George, a weakling in love with Sarah, the equestrienne star of the show, allows himself to be hoodwinked by the woman, so that William Strasser, her secret lover, is installed as manager.

Maciste, strong man and lion-tamer extraordinary, returns from a successful lion hunting expedition in Africa, with many fine specimens, and with Eda, a beautiful orphan of a famous explorer, who has been raised in savagery.

Maciste quickly re-establishes the morale of the circus, is instrumental in Pommer’s return, and tries to break up George’s affair with Sarah.

He makes a mortal enemy of the equestrienne and her accomplice, and has to beat up, in a spectacular physical combat, Sullivan, a towering bully and henchman of Strasser, who persists in bothering Eda.

In the midst of Eda’s act, Sullivan, out of revenge, opens the cage of an untamable lion, the infuriated animal escapes into the audience, causing the greatest panic and catastrophe ever witnessed.