Francesca and Walter are two-bit criminals in Northern Italy, and, in an effort to avoid the police, Francesca joins a group of women rice workers. She meets the voluptuous peasant rice worker, Silvana, and the soon-to-be-discharged soldier, Marco. Walter follows her to the rice fields, and the four characters become involved in a complex plot involving robbery, love, and murder.

Doris Dowling
as Francesca

Silvana Mangano
as Silvana

Vittorio Gassman
as Walter

Raf Vallone
as Marco

Checco Rissone
as Aristide

Nico Pepe
as Beppe

Adriana Sivieri
as Celeste

Lia Corelli
as Amelia

Maria Grazia Francia
as Gabriella

Dedi Ristori
as Anna