The movie relates the story of Michele, a man accused of murdering a kidnapped girl and his fight to prove his innocence.

The kidnappers ask for a ransom of twenty million: the father makes the payment but the girl is not released.

The outrage of public opinion initiates the investigation, but it takes many months before the arrest of the alleged culprit, a mechanic of a garage who cannot justify his sudden enrichment.

After an intense interrogation, he admits to having driven the vehicle in which the child was taken to the kidnappers' lair, while totally ignoring the purpose of the mission.

The gang leader is killed as soon as he sets foot in Genoa; the owner of the bar is accused of the murder and sentenced to life in prison.