Based on the Nikolai Gogol story but set in modern-day Italy (1952), THE OVERCOAT is the story of a poor city hall clerk (Renato Rascel) whose only desire is to buy a new overcoat. The town Mayor (Giulio Stival) is planning a reception for some visiting VIPs in honor of a new, wasteful piece of construction. The clerk bungles an assignment for the reception and is fired. But when he stumbles into a bribery scheme concerning the architects, in order to keep him quiet, he's given his job back plus a bonus. He purchases his long-cherished overcoat, only to have it stolen. Tragic twists and acts of retribution follow.