Lavish big screen adaptation of Shakespeare's early tragedy. Roman general Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins) returns in triumph from his wars with the Goths, symbolically sacrificing the son of captured enemy empress Tamora (Jessica Lange). Newly appointed Roman emperor Saturninus (Alan Cumming) expresses his desire to wed Titus' daughter, Lavinia (Laura Fraser), who instead elopes with Saturninus's brother, Bassianus (James Frain). Saturninus then surprises everyone by marrying Tamora, who sets about exacting a terrible revenge on her former captor, Titus.