Loosely based on a novel of the same title by Ethel Lillian Voynich.
The picture is set in Italy in the 1930-s.
Young Arthur falls prey to the treachery of his confessor, who, from his confession, learned of the existence of the “Young Italy” secret society and reported it to the Austrian gendarmes. Arthur's friends condemn him as a traitor. At the same time Arthur finds out that the priest Montanelli, his spiritual instructor whom he used to worship as a pillar of honesty and infallibility, has broken his vow of celibacy and is in fact his father. Arthur vanishes...
Thirteen years go by; the Italian national movement for freedom is championed by the brave and resolute revolutionary going by the name of Rivarez, who comes up with a publication denouncing the reactionary government and Catholic clergy...
Source : www.lenfilm.ru
