In 1840, a young Russian aristocrat, Dimitri Sanin, is returning home after a long tour of Europe. In Germany, he falls in love with a beautiful pastry shop girl, Gemma Rosselli, who soon starts sharing his feelings. They decide to get married and, in order to finance the wedding, Dimitri goes back to Russia to sell his family estate. Unfortunately he falls prey to a seductress, Princess Maria Nikolaevna, who pretends to be willing to buy his land to come nearer him. Now Sanin is in a fix: should he choose the pure Gemma or the evil but irresistible Maria?
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Timothy HuttonDimitri Sanin | Dimitri Sanin |
 Nastassja KinskiMaria Nikolaevna Polozov | Maria Nikolaevna Polozov |
 Valeria GolinoGemma Rosselli | Gemma Rosselli |
 William ForsythePrince Ippolito Polozov | Prince Ippolito Polozov |
 Pietro BontempoMan With Glasses | Man With Glasses |
 Jerzy SkolimowskiWiktor Wiktorowicz | Wiktor Wiktorowicz |
 Xavier MalyPulcinella | Pulcinella |
 Urbano BarberiniBaron Von Doenhof | Baron Von Doenhof |
 Francesca De SapioMrs. Rosselli | Mrs. Rosselli |
 Jacques HerlinPantaleone | Pantaleone |
 Antonio CantaforaRichter | Richter |
 Krzysztof JanczarKlueber | Klueber |
| CChristian DottoriniEmilio | Emilio |
| AAlexia KordaMrs. Stoltz | Mrs. Stoltz |
| MMarinella AnaclerioLuisa | Luisa |
| TThierry LangerakLa luna | La luna |
 Massimo SarchielliGypsy Man | Gypsy Man |
| SSerge SpiraDoctor Past | Doctor Past |
| AAnna PiccioniGypsy Woman | Gypsy Woman |
| EElena SchapovaFirst Maid | First Maid |
 Antonella PonzianiSecond Maid | Second Maid |