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。
-Celebration.
-Salute, padrone.
Where's Dalco?
Leo's in the vineyard.
That's the last bottle.
Wine from the city.
What about mine?
lt says ''sparkling champagne.'' Hey, Libero, what's this for, a wedding or a funeral?
There, in the vineyard.
Destiny.
Both born on the same day.
And destiny calls for a drink, right?
Signor Alfredo, you know how many of us Dalcos there are now?
l've lost count.
Well, l know that when we sit down to eat, there are 40 of us at the table.
You're a lucky man, Leo. Admit it.
He may be a bastard, but at least he's a boy.
Don't boys eat like everybody else?
What the hell is bothering you?
Mine was born first. lt's only natural.
First came the peasants of this world, and then came the padrone.