The drawbacks and difficulties of military life are explored in this film. Paolo Passeri is a college graduate, somewhat spoiled, somewhat effete, who finds himself in an officer training program under the stern martinet, Captain Asciutto. He gradually becomes acclimated to the military mind-set, and when the Captain's wife decides to take a romantic interest in him, he does not report her dangerous peculiarities to anyone.

Michele Placido
as Paolo Passeri

Franco Nero
as Captain Asciutto

Miou-Miou
as Rosanna

Patrick Dewaere
as 2nd Lt. Baio

Massimo Boldi
as

Luciano Crovato
as

Nino Bignamini
as

Nicola Di Pinto
as

Ekkehardt Belle
as

Peter Berling
as