Surgeon Dr Lemuel Gulliver (Kerwin Mathews) wants to explore the world before his marriage to Elizabeth (June Thorburn), despite her wishes to the contrary. He sets off on a ship but is reunited with Elizabeth when he discovers she's hidden aboard. Their reunion doesn't last long, however. A storm leads Gulliver to a strange land inhabited by tiny people called Lilliputians. His journey then takes him to a rival land called Blefuscu and finally to a land of giants named Brobdingnag.

Herrmann would use three different ensembles for each of the three worlds portrayed in the film, while maintaining Swift’s parody of English pride and vanity. For England, he would channel the traditional, staunchly English pride with horns bravura and pompous percussion, although one discerns a certain tongue in cheekiness within the notes. For the diminutive Lilliputians, Herrmann lightens the orchestra, infusing daintiness in the high register with celeste and harp. For the gigantic Brobdingnags, the music darkens and becomes dour as we descend in register using low woodwinds, strings and contrabass tuba. “Overture” offers a magnificent score highlight and one of Herrmann finest compositions. A tender rendering of the "Love Theme" supports the intimate moment and her aspiration to buy a cottage in the country where they can lead a simple life together.

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