During WWII, Sandro Ademari (Massimo Girotti), head of a group of Italian partisans, to escape from a Nazi catch, hides himself by a farm. Here he knows Luisa (Lea Padovani) and soon the two married and have a baby. After the war, Sandro, now a solicitor, succeeded also to be elected in Rome's parliament. Here he starts an extramarital affair with Germana (Patricia Neal). Sandro, now deep involved with Germana, tries all the way to leave Luisa (divorce wasn't legal during the '50s in Italy). But Luisa is determined to save her marriage and arrives in Rome to discuss with the two. The tragedy is behind the corner.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Patricia NealCountess Germana de Torri | Countess Germana de Torri |
 Massimo GirottiSandro Ademari | Sandro Ademari |
 Lea PadovaniLuisa, Sandro's wife | Luisa, Sandro's wife |
 Enrico ViarisioMaurizio Bennati | Maurizio Bennati |
 Eduardo CiannelliPublic prosecutor | Public prosecutor |
 Armando MigliariCommander | Commander |
 Nerio BernardiDefense attorney | Defense attorney |
| MMichele RiccardiniAntonio, partisan | Antonio, partisan |
| AAlex GirottiLittle Tom, Sandro and Luisa's son | Little Tom, Sandro and Luisa's son |
| AAnna Maria PaolucciLittle girl playing ball | Little girl playing ball |
| AAlan FurlanTommy | Tommy |
| PPio CampaLawyer Paria | Lawyer Paria |
| HHilda RobertsHilda | Hilda |
 Alberto SorrentinoDemostene | Demostene |