Coming of age at the time of Mussolini's ascent to power, a young and impressionable Mattia Fiore is seduced by the fascist cause and by his friends. Many years later, Mussolini stokes the flames of conquest among ordinary Italians.

Calling on young men to join the fight for a new empire. One of those that answers the call is now 24yr old Mattia, who alongside his friends joins the army, leaving behind his fiance and hometown in search of glory and adventure.

However he will soon find out that all is not what it seems as the Italian army slogs its way through the Ethiopian countryside. A botched raid into enemy territory sees his commander face court-martial on trumped up charges and replaced with the incompetent and egotistical Capitano Aronica.

Determined to survive the war Mattia endeavours to keep his head down. However on a night of celebration after the capture of Adua, Mattia stumbles across a scene of horror.

Threatened by his superior , the perpetrator of the horror, Mattia's cowardice at the moment leaves him in a perpetual state of shame but also with a desire to ultimately seek revenge and set things right. As the war progresses Mattia becomes increasingly disillusioned by Italian tactics and morals, such as the use of gas and terror.

Harassed at every turn by his superior, who exerts his power over him and by his own failings, Mattia watches as his friends die needlessly thousands of miles from home. Conflicted by his own morals and those of the regime he supports Mattia must wrestle with the mundane and horror of war, and those who would see him dead to return home to those he loves.

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