When his wife dies in childbirth, wealthy Italian merchant Robert Agnoli makes a vow to do everything in his power to ensure their only son, Antonio, has the best in life.

A year later, on the final day of World War II, a chance encounter with an orphan girl leads Robert to concoct a detailed and somewhat outlandish plan to ensure that these two motherless children will never want for anything again as long as they live.

In his mind, the plan is simple and will mean that the two children are content and happy and that his wealth is looked after in the way he envisages. But in...