An interstellar teleportation device found in Egypt leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra. Professor Langford discovers a massive stone ring in Egypt in 1928. Egyptologist Daniel Jackson translates ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that lead to the Stargate, a wormhole to Abydos. They find a mining village and learn that Ra was an alien life form who enslaved humans. The team discovers the cartouche to return home, but the seventh symbol is eroded. They are hunted by Ra's general and guards, and Ra plans to send an enhanced atomic bomb to Earth. Jackson is killed but regenerated. O'Neil and the team escape with the villagers' help. They make it back to the Stargate and deactivate the bomb. Ra is killed, and the team returns to Earth.

A hairdresser gets involved with an IRA member's girlfriend, leading to unexpected consequences. The film explores themes of gender identity, political unrest, and tragic love.

The story begins at the stage door after a performance. A cabaret somewhere presenting songs from Dietrich to pop performed by various artists.