At the end of World War II, shallow, self-centered Mara is the prettiest girl in her small Italian village; Bebo is a Communist partisan who is finding it difficult to adjust to the dull banalities of life in peacetime. When Mara’s father, a passionate Communist, declares that his daughter will marry the returning hero, her reactions range from joy to bitter resentment.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Claudia CardinaleMara | Mara |
 George ChakirisBube | Bube |
 Marc MichelStefano | Stefano |
 Dany ParísLiliana | Liliana |
 Carla CalòMadre di Mara | Madre di Mara |
 Monique VitaInes | Ines |
 Ugo ChitiArnaldo | Arnaldo |
| EEmilio EspositoPadre di Mara | Padre di Mara |
| MMario LupiLidori | Lidori |
| PPierluigi Catocciil prete | il prete |
 Bruno ScipioniMauro | Mauro |
 Gabriella Giorgelli(non accreditata) | (non accreditata) |