Set against the backdrop of World War II, Blood Feud tells of the struggle against the Sicilian Mafia, from the streets of Sicily to the tenements of New York. Titina (Sophia Loren) is a happily married Sicilian housewife but, like so many others, is widowed early in life when her husband is brutally murdered by the Mafia. After spending ten years away, Spallone (Marcello Mastroianni), returns home and falls in love with Titina. Also returning to avenge his cousin's death is Nick (Giancarlo Giannini), a small-time crook, who also falls for his cousin's widow. In the deadly game of love as in war there is always a winner and a loser... Blood Feud is written and directed by the highly acclaimed Italian director Lina Wertmuller, who a couple of years previously became the first woman ever to be nominated for a Best Director Oscar.