This movie deals with the sixteenth century conflict between the Catholic Church and Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei (Melvyn Douglas). After exhaustive research, Galileo concludes that the Aristotelean concept of the Universe is incorrect. It is Galileo's contention, like Copernicus before him, that the Earth is not the center of the universe, but merely another planet, revolving around the sun. This theory is considered heresy by the Church, and before long, Galileo is dragged before Cardinal Bellarmin (George Voskovec), leader of the dreaded Court of the Inquisition.
—morroviolet