The movie takes place in the 19th century (1848) during the struggle of patriotic forces of Italy against Austrian rule. An accidental shell penetrates the wall of the prison, which a thief and bandit Cainazzo manages to take advantage of. While he was in prison, Italy became a testing ground for political strife and battles. Not knowing anything about politics, which he doesn't care about, Cainazzo gets into a series of funny but often scary adventures with Romolo, a baker from Rome, whose bakery was destroyed by a shell.