The film is composed of five separate stories, respectively called: Contatti telefonici, Gelosia, Dalla finestra, Il postino, Galop finale al circo.
The film was shot clandestinely in Rome in 1944 during what is known in History as the Republic of Salò, when Mussolini was deposed and the country occupied by the Germans. At that time, all cinematic activity was to be transferred North (Venice) but many actors and technicians decided to stay. Some were able to obtain work permits delivered by the Vatican, enabling them to go about and work in the Rome completely freely. Those who were not able to get such document had no choice but to work clandestinely.