At the height of World War II in fascist Italy, spoiled young Carlo Caremoli (Jean-Louis Trintignant) enjoys a beach vacation with his friends, oblivious to world events due to the protection provided by his father, Ettore (Enrico Maria Salerno). When Carlo meets older widow and mother Roberta Parmesan (Eleonora Rossi Drago), he is smitten despite her reluctance to get involved. Carlo persists, and just as he and Roberta find happiness, the brutal reality of the war crashes in upon them.