Aldo Piscitello, a minor government clerk, is forced in 1934 to join the Fascist party. When the war comes, he finds himself able only to talk ineffectually in secret against Mussolini, even as his own son Giovanni is sent into battle. By the end of the war, Aldo has found the courage to stand up for his beliefs, but by then it is too late.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Umberto SpadaroAldo Piscitello | Aldo Piscitello |
 Ave NinchiRosina Piscitello | Rosina Piscitello |
| EEnzo BiliottiIl podestà | Il podestà |
 Massimo GirottiGiovanni Piscitello | Giovanni Piscitello |
 Delia ScalaElena Piscitello | Elena Piscitello |
 Ernesto AlmiranteIl nonnino | Il nonnino |
 Aldo SilvaniIl farmacista | Il farmacista |
| MMiro ZondaIl federale | Il federale |
 Milly VitaleMaria, the pharmacist's niece | Maria, the pharmacist's niece |
 Giovanni GrassoMascoli | Mascoli |
 Olinto CristinaSacchi | Sacchi |
 Agostino SalviettiFegarotta | Fegarotta |
| RRaniero De CenzoRapisarda | Rapisarda |
 Carlo SpositoRiccardo, the Baron's son | Riccardo, the Baron's son |
| GGiuseppe NicolosiCascarà | Cascarà |
 Loris GizziIl Ministro | Il Ministro |
 Ermanno RandiTuri | Turi |
 Rosetta CalavettaElena (voice) | Elena (voice) |
| PPaolo MonelliNot listed | Not listed |
 Sandro RuffiniNarrator, Italian original version | Narrator, Italian original version |
| BBruno Di StefaniNot listed | Not listed |
| VVittorio Di StefaniNot listed | Not listed |