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.

Una volta eletto, un avvocato si trasferisce a Roma con la famiglia. Qui incontra una contessa che lo aiuta a far carriera politica e ne diviene l'amante. Allontanatosi sempre più dai suoi, finisce per farsi scoprire e decide quindi di chiedere il divorzio. Ma la moglie rifiuta e fa di tutto per riprendersi il marito.