Pino is a 17-year-old Milanese boy who initially prefers music, food, girls, and attending the cinema over the politics of World War II. Standing at 1.85 meters tall, he is somewhat gangly and lacks direction in life until the destruction of his family's apartment forces him to relocate. Sent to the Alps for safety, he discovers a sense of purpose guiding refugees to Switzerland before eventually returning to Milan to take on a dangerous role as a covert observer.

General Leyers is an exceptionally powerful German officer operating in Italy, reporting directly to the highest levels of the Nazi command. He is a broad-shouldered man in his mid-fifties who works relentlessly from the backseat of his staff car. He oversees a vast network of forced laborers to construct military defenses, presenting an intimidating and highly demanding demeanor.

Anna is a beautiful woman in her early twenties with slate-blue eyes and a complicated past. She works as a maid for a German general's mistress to support herself during the occupation. She carries deep grief from the loss of her father at sea and the loss of her former husband in North Africa.

Rauff is the brutal new Gestapo chief for northern Italy. He establishes harsh curfews, oversees San Vittore Prison, and orders severe public punishments to maintain control over the restless population.

Tito is a violent opportunist who claims to fight for the resistance but actually extorts civilians and refugees. He uses the chaos of the mountains to rob travelers and threaten the priests at Casa Alpina.

Mimo is Pino's younger and highly headstrong brother. He initially travels to Casa Alpina with Pino but soon proves eager to take direct action against the occupying forces. He views passive resistance as cowardice, creating severe friction with his older brother.

Dolly is a woman in her early forties with auburn hair and a glamorous appearance. She lives comfortably in Milan as a German general's mistress but harbors deep anxiety about her safety as the political situation deteriorates.

Father Re is a burly Catholic priest who runs a boys' school in the mountains. He wears hob-nailed climbing boots and actively organizes the smuggling of refugees into Switzerland. He tests Pino's physical endurance to prepare him for dangerous border crossings.

Carletto is Pino's childhood best friend who remains in Milan to help his father at their produce shop. He watches the war unfold from the sidelines and harbors deep resentment toward anyone wearing an enemy uniform.

Cardinal Schuster is the influential Catholic leader of northern Italy. He uses his high-profile position to mediate disputes between the German command and Italian civilians, aiming to minimize bloodshed in Milan.

Tullio is a handsome, impeccably dressed family friend in his twenties. He operates within the Italian resistance by tracking Gestapo movements, a dangerous task that puts him at extreme risk.

Alberto is a wiry young man who works in his uncle's auto shop near the Alps. He constantly smokes cigarettes and dreams of becoming a champion racecar driver.

Uncle Albert owns a fashion district leather store and factory. He uses his connections to secure Pino a non-combat assignment to keep him off the Russian front, and later coordinates covert intelligence transmissions.

Pino's father is an amateur violinist who deeply fears for his sons' lives. He forces Pino to leave Milan and later insists he accept a safe assignment rather than risk conscription into combat.

Mr. Beltramini is a grocer who runs a fresh fruit and vegetable stall in Milan. He possesses a beautiful singing voice and prioritizes caring for his terminally ill wife during the occupation.

Pino's mother is described as a human hurricane. She is fiercely protective of her family and quickly evacuates Milan with her daughter when the bombings escalate.

Brother Bormio is Father Re's dedicated assistant. He cooks meals for the students and actively helps organize the logistics of hiding and supplying the Jewish refugees passing through the school.

Aunt Greta works alongside Uncle Albert in the fashion district. She helps manage the family's covert activities, using her language skills to translate stolen German documents for the resistance.

Baka is an underground radio operator who transmits intelligence to London. He constantly moves his equipment to avoid detection by Nazi radio-hunting trucks patrolling the city.

Elena is a pregnant violinist who originally played at La Scala. She attempts the harrowing mountain crossing to Switzerland, refusing to leave her instrument behind despite the immense physical toll it takes on her.

Major Knebel is an American GI with the 10th Mountain Division. He relies on local Italian operatives to secure communications and navigate the chaotic post-war environment in Milan.

Mario is Michele's cousin's son. He is a fighter pilot who survives being shot down, only to face danger from vengeful mobs in the streets of Milan as the city falls into chaos.

Cicci is Pino and Mimo's sister. She leaves the city early in the Allied bombing campaign alongside her mother to find safety away from the targeted industrial zones.

Italy's Fascist dictator whose power wanes as the Allied forces advance. He becomes increasingly despondent and reliant on German support, frequently demanding reassurances about secret weapons and his personal safety.

Claretta is Mussolini's devoted mistress. She stays closely by his side at his villa, sharing his growing despair as the war turns against the Axis powers.