Extensive location shooting took place around Lombardy including at Bagnolo San Vito, Porto Mantovano and Curtatone.

In nineteenth-century Lombardy the Scacerni family own their own floating mill on the River Po, using the watermill to grind crops harvested in the area.

During a raid, to avoid being caught cheating the authorities, Berta's hot-headed brother Princivalle sets fire to mill causing damage.

Her relationship with Orbino becomes complicated by the ongoing battle between the landowners, led by the domineering Clapassòn who wishes to modernise his holdings, and the socialist movement organising the labourers and tenant farmers to demand better terms.

However in the heated atmosphere malicious gossip reaches Princivalle, recently released from prison, that Orbino has made love to his sister Berta multiple times and tiring of his fiancée, now wishes to abandon her.