The screenplay is by Germi, Ennio De Concini, Alfredo Giannetti, and Agenore Incrocci, based on Giovanni Arpino's novel Un delitto d'onore (English title A Crime of Honor).

Aware that divorce is illegal, Ferdinando fantasizes about doing away with his wife, such as by throwing her into a boiling cauldron, sending her into space in a rocket, or drowning her in quicksand.

The final stage of his plan is to arrange for Carmelo's constant presence in his house, which he achieves by feigning interest in having his palace frescoes restored.

Rosalia feigns a headache and remains home while the rest of the family goes to the cinema to see the local première of La Dolce Vita, a film so scandalous that no one wants to miss it.

Ferdinando sneaks out of the theater and returns home, arriving just in time to see Rosalia leaving for the train station.

After he responds noncommittally, she spits in his face in front of the entire town, which gives him what he needs: an open insult to the family's honor due to his wife's elopement.

At his trial he is defended by the State Prosecutor, who blames the whole thing on Ferdinando's father, saying that he failed to give his son enough love when raising him as a boy.

[4] Upon release in the United States, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called it "one of the funniest pictures the Italians have sent along" and praised Germi as "a genius with the sly twist.

[6] Variety gave the film a positive review, calling the satire "a penetrating, almost brutal glimpse of Sicily and its antiquated way of life.