Based on the true story of Franca Viola and Filippo Melodia, Vito is earmarked as a potential successor of the current Mafia boss, who advises him to marry a virtuous, yet poor woman.

Vito meets Francesca, although she falls in love with Vito, she won't bow down to him.

Believing he's losing face, he has his boys kidnap her little does he realize that she will fight back.