The film, based on the dialogues and discourse of Alcide De Gasperi, takes place in between 1944, when Rome waited anxiously for the Allies, and 1954, when the politician withdrew from politics and retreated to live in Selva di Valsugana after the DC convention in Naples that almost defeated him. Roberto Rossellini sets up a historically ?didactic? discussion of this difficult and formative period of Italian history in this penultimate film. These first years after the end of the war are portrayed through the thoughts and events surrounding one of the most prestigious political leaders of the time. Convincing portrayal by Luigi Vannucchi.