Saverio Luparello is the manager of Sicilian baron Occipinti's estate. The cunning greedy man intentionally lets the land turn into a wasteland, hoping that his employer, discouraged by its low returns, will sell his earth to him for next to nothing. His plans are thwarted by a share cropper, Diego Costa, who farms his lot zealously and to good results. Luparello's three sons try to scare the Costas out of their farm but they are defended by Don Salvatore, the innkeeper and leader of the local Mafia. The next day, Andrea, the oldest son, indirectly causes the death of Diego and Wanda Costa. Don Salvatore has him eliminated and has Saro Costa, the honest share-farmers' ten-year-old son,sent to America. Fifteen years later, Saro, now a handsome well-built young man, is back...