In order to obtain such a liquid crystal thin film having optical anisotropy that suffers less change in optical characteristics thereof under heating to 200° C., the following polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided as a raw material therefor. The composition contains Compound (1) and at least one of Compound (2) and Compound (3), with a proportion of Compound (1) being from 50 to 99% by weight, a proportion of Compound (2) being from 0 to 50% by weight, and a proportion of Compound (3) being from 0 to 50% by weight:wherein R is alkyl; each of W1 and W2 is independently hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine or —CH3; each of W3 and W4 is independently hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, —CH3 or —CF3; W5 is alkyl having, alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, —CN or —OCF3; X is a single bond, —CH═CH— or —CH2CH2—; Z is a single bond, —COO—, —OCO— or —CH2CH2—; and q is an integer of from 1 to 20.