1901年1月27日,著名作曲家歌剧大师威尔弟去世,这也正是意大利北部两户家庭产子的同一天。阿弗雷德(罗伯特·德尼罗 Robert De Niro饰),富有的农场主的孙子;奥尔茂(杰拉尔·德帕迪约 Gérard Depardieu饰),贫穷的农户的孙子。两人从小就结下了友谊,然而因为地位阶级与出身经历的不同,注定了两人天壤之别的迥然人生。
l don't like you to come here, you know that.
She has to learn how to read and write.
You're not her mother.
l don't want her here!
He's right, you know.
l mean, what the hell gives you the right to act like a missionary?
What the hell gives you the right?
l love that child!
l don't care whether you love that child.
The child is out of place here.
Leave other people's children alone.
All right. Now l'll devote myself to our children!