Le souffle de la liberté

This Italian film version of Verdi's opera stars Sophia Loren on the screen, with Renata Tebaldi providing the vocals.

Drama set in Milan in 1858. Dr. Antonio Ansperti from Como, implicated in the clandestine activities of the Young Italy revolutionary movement, is arrested by the Austrian authorities. After a trial he is sentenced to death and executed, in spite of efforts by his countryman Count Lamberti to intervene on his behalf with the Governor of Milan.

Refugee Franca Gabre comes to the Po Valley with intent to use her obvious attributes and man-swaying talents to gain some security. She targets farm-owning brothers Riccardo and Carlo Sartori and uses the latter in an attempt to reach Riccardo, the older brother.