Synopsis:

At the end of the second world war, two young communist intellectuals, having served as partisans, reach Rome where they find the patronage of an important left-wing politician. One wisely involves himself in political activities, while the other chooses communism for the snob value alone. Convinced that he resembles Stalin he begins to imitate the dictator, but undergoes a crisis when the myth of Stalin is exploded. While his friend decides to leave for Vietnam as a volunteer, our communist hero resolves his problem by identifying himself with Ho Chi Min, imitating the North-Vietnamese leader.