The narrative follows Aldo, a young refinery mechanic who, when faced with the sudden end of a seven-year affair with a married woman, abandons his past and embarks on an aimless quest with their young daughter in tow. His travels take him to the home of an old flame, to a filling station owned by a lonely widow on a desolate stretch of highway, and into the arms of a prostitute in an impoverished fishing community. But he can find no relief from his undying love for Irma and must return to her village.

Italian collection. Italian collection. Originally produced as a motion picture in 1957. Italian collection. Also issued as part of the box set: Great directors, volume 1. Italian collection.