The film begins in the 1920 s, in the Sicilian town of Bagheria (a.k.a. Baaria) where Giuseppe Peppino Torrenuova works as a shepherd to financially help his poor family. Over the next 50 years Giuseppe s life, as well as the life of the village, is observed. Giuseppe grows up, joins the Communist Party, marries a local girl (Mannina), has children and forges a political career for himself.