The Gestapo forces con man Victorio Bardone to impersonate a dead partisan general in order to extract information from his fellow inmates.

Cencio, a roman pilferer, periodically is in prison. He meets Cesira that soon become his partner in crime. With Cesira’s help Cencio try the big hit to a jewelery. But the lucky break is over.

When Italy surrenders to the Allies, part of the Italian army is dispersed and soldiers begin to return to their homes.