During the Second World War the widow Cesira and her 13-year-old daughter Rosetta struggle to survive in war-ravaged Italy. Both women become infatuated with their neighbour Michele, a young intellectual. When the allies begin to bomb Rome the two women decide to flee to the village where Cesira was born. During their journey and in the village, the mother does everything to protect Rosetta. However, on one occasion as they seek shelter in a bombed-out church, Cesira and Rosetta are attacked and raped by a band of Moroccan soldiers. This cruel event is too much for the always powerful fighting Cesira and she suffers from a breakdown. Once they've recovered from this appalling experience, mother and daughter are offered a ride back to Rome by friendly truck driver Florindo. Though Cesira had hoped to keep her daughter from compromising herself as a means of survival, she is crushed to discover that Rosetta has given herself to the truck driver in exchange for a pair of stockings. When Cesira and Rosetta finally reconcile, it is a grievous occasion, mourning the death of their mutual love Michele.