Bernado's Circus follows the plight of a nine-year old Polish Gypsy lad who witnesses his parents and clan being exterminated by the SS during WW2. Bernado finally is caught stealing to try to survive and is sent to an orphanage where conditions are foul beyond belief. Bernado is attacked by one of the priests on numerous occasions. He stabs this priest in the eye and escapes. After working clearing bombed building sites. He starts to find stray dogs who he trains to make money when not working. A ringmaster of a large circus sees one of the performances and invites Bernado to join the circus. The young Bernado is an instant hit with the pretty girls in the circus. The girls take the willing pupil to teach him the facts of life. Bernado teaches two of his dogs to accompany him on nightly forays to steal purses and cases from the unsuspecting victim as the circus travels from town to town. He is making a small fortune. Follow Bernado as he finds a far better life with two women developing a casino in Anzio Italy. Then doing great social work which spreads throughout the world.