影片讲述了在世纪转折期间，意大利都灵被压榨的纺织厂工人开始争取改善工作环境，西尼加利亚教授（马斯杜安尼）被社会主义者派遣到那里帮助工人组织罢工和斗争。The story of exploited textile factory workers in Turin, Italy at the turn of the century and their beginnings of their fight for better working conditions. Professor Sinigaglia (Marcello Mastroianni) is sent by (presumably) the Socialists to help them organize their strike and give form to their struggle.