[2] Johnny, a university student with a passion for English literature, deserts the Italian Army in Rome after the September 1943 Badoglio Proclamation, and returns home to Alba.

He leaves the city and joins the first partisan formation he meets, the "Reds", led by Biondo.

Left alone after the group has dispersed under a German attack, he manages to reach a formation of the Badogliani, also called "Blues", or "Autonomous", led by the charismatic North Commander (Piero Balbo, nicknamed Nord).

Multiple small clashes decimate and disperse their forces, and Ettore is captured and sentenced to death.

The film ends on a still shot of Johnny engaged in combat, perhaps overwhelmed by enemies, followed by the words "Two months after the war was over".