Vittorio De Sica, along with other filmmakers and actors, does not want to be transferred to Venice, as has been mandated by the State. There, he would have to shoot propaganda movies for the Fascists. Luckily a Catholic film company wants to make a movie about a train of sick and deformed people on their way to seek miracles at the shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, a popular pilgrimage destination in the Marches region. The kind of train that carries pilgrims is called un treno bianco (a white train).

A car problem allows us to meet Eda Gjergo, a young astrophysicist, who will in turn lead us to meet Margherita Hack, the subject of this episode about women luminaries. Hack was a famous scientist, communicator, and activist.

Moscati tries to calm the crowd of people and help them understand that it isn't necessary to burn all their household belongings, and that cholera is transmitted through their drinking water. He promises to help treat them as Elena watches the scene from afar.

When the Americans bombed Rome in 1943, Maria was shooting a film in the San Lorenzo area, right where the freight yards were, the target of the bombing. Vittorio, on the other side of town, rushed to the site. Life would soon become extremely complicated and dangerous for those in the film industry.

The documentary concludes with some valuable advice from Rita Levi-Montalcini about how to live one's life. People who knew her offer some adjectives to describe who she was.

Vittorio De Sica did different kinds of movies, both as an actor, and a director, and had great success, although critics appreciated his comedies more than his serious movies. Whatever kind of film he was directing, he laughed and cried along with the actors. They loved him.

In her final years, Rita Levi-Montalci was very, very frail, but she never lost her combative spirit. Romano Prodi recalls the last time he saw her.

This documentary about the life of Vittorio De Sica, Italian actor and film director, is narrated by Marco Paolini. We begin during the occupation by the Nazis. Vittorio is in Rome shooting a film.

Moscati and his assistants do what they can, but they discover that the government has a different view of the situation.

Not only did she win a Nobel prize; in her own country, she was appointed as a Senator for life, a great honor. But she took that job seriously and participated actively and with integrity. Not everyone appreciated that.

Elena is at the fancy dinner, and is worried about Giuseppe, but at the same time, she is fascinated by the after-dinner entertainment. Giorgio is taking advantage of Giuseppe's absence. Meanwhile, Giuseppe is working against the clock, realizing that his patient, from one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods of Naples, has a terrible disease.

After winning the Nobel prize, Rita Levi-Montalcini was not as shy as she had been prior to that moment. Because she stood out as a woman in a "man's world," she was able to use her unique position to make her mark, not only in the science world, but in society.

After being left by the taxi driver, Giuseppe goes in search of the Esposito home. The taxi driver was right about the danger. Meanwhile, Giorgio shows up at the dinner and greets Elena and her father.

Rita Levi Montalcini doesn't feel like she made any sacrifices in her life, including not having a family. She had a clear vision of what she wanted out of life, and she followed it.

Giorgio is getting settled in his new office and gets an unexpected and unwelcome visitor. Giuseppe has a big evening ahead of him with Elena and her father, but he gets some news he has to take care of and is delayed.