The film shows how Italy's historic national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi (embodied by Renzo Ricci) leads a military campaign known as Expedition of the Thousand in 1860 and conquers Sicily and Naples. When the Bourbon monarchy has left Southern Italy, he supports Victor Emmanuel II of Italy who achieves a lasting unification under the aegis the House of Savoy. Roberto Rossellini has said he was prouder of this film than of any other film he ever made.
as Giuseppe Garibaldi
as Nino Bixio
as Giuseppe Bandi
as Rosa
as King Francesco II
as French Journalist
as Menotti Garibaldi
as Fabrizio Plutino
as Francesco Crispi
as Reverend (uncredited)
as Garibaldino (uncredited)
