Renato Vallanzasca (Kim Rossi Stuart), inmate 38529H, born in Milan on May 4,1950, is locked up in seclusion in the high security section of Ariano Irpino's jail. He has demonstrated a penchant for crime since he was a nine-year-old boy, when he and his small gang of friends freed a tiger from the local circus. Renato was young, but he was already a leader adored by the other kids in his gang Enzo, Giorgio and Antonella, his little sister from Naples. That very first crime introduces young Renato to the juvenile correction system, and marks his destiny forever. Once out of jail, Renato starts committing small crimes in his neighbourhood, but he quickly escalates to robberies, kidnapping and killings. Renato Vallanzasca is destined to become the boss of the Comasina.