Giacinto Mazzatella (Nino Manfredi) and four generations of his family live together in a ramshackle residence in the slums of Rome. They participate in robberies, prostitution, and whatever else they need to do to survive. Although the family may be morally bankrupt, Giacinto has just been awarded one million lire from the government for the loss of his eye. In turn, the rest of Giancito's family will do anything to get the money away from him, even if it means murder.