In this Italian drama, based upon the epic novel by Morante, a half-Jewish mother endeavors to conceal her identity during the Mussolini years, 1941-1947. The story is set in Rome where the mother has worked as a school teacher. It begins when the mother, who has a teenage son, is raped and impregnated by a German soldier. She later bears an epileptic son. She and her sons suffer greatly during the war. The mother too, must suffer through an internal war as her fear of persecution conflicts with the guilt of concealing her religion. More trouble ensues when her oldest son gets involved with the partisans. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide