Penne Nere is set in Italy during the last crucial two years of World War II, after the Badoglio government signed an armistice with the Allies. Throughout the nation the original Fascist army is disbanded and soldiers are pretty much on their own. One such soldier is Pietro (Marcello Mastroianni), who is on his way to his home village of Stella and his beloved Gemma. Once in the village, he gets involved with other soldiers and the villagers in an action to prevent a battalion of Germans from blowing up their dam.