Story of a doctor, vet, Colonel of the Army (Tognazzi) with a problem; When resting lying starts screaming anarchist and antimilitarist phrases. Because of his fitful sleep is therefore forced to sleep standing up. Come now on the threshold of retirement, after a number of forget promotions, which attaches to having a brother anarchist, is transferred to the "school health" in Florence. At this point, Colonel, after his friend-enemy is promoted to the rank of General, decides to write a book about his career in the army, revealing the many "contradictions" of the army during the war. This document will cause the alarm of superiors, who wanted to prevent its publication, which would cause a serious damage of image, propose an exchange officer: the desired promotion in Exchange for silence.