Enrico Bottini, an engineering student, prepares to serve as an officer when Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary. At the train station, he meets Garrone, an old friend from elementary school, and begins to reminisce on the values instilled to him by both school and his father.

Dal romanzo di Edmondo De Amicis. Film tv. Torino, seconda metà dell'Ottocento. La vita di una classe di scolari in epoca sabauda, tra amicizie, liti e drammi.