Walerian Borowczyk is well known for his erotic productions and this portmanteau film is no exception. The four different tales look at different aspects of sexuality throughout the ages. The contemporary tale of 'The Tide' sees a young student and his female cousin turning to sexual exploration when they find themselves cut off from the mainland and trapped on a beach, while in 'Therese the Philosopher' the eponymous heroine discovers the erotic potential of a variety of everyday objects, first in a church and, later, when locked in her bedroom.

'Erzsebet Bathory' looks at a brief moment in the life of the woman (played by Pablo Picasso's daughter, Paloma Picasso) credited with being the original "Countess Dracula", and who believed that bathing in the blood of virgins would guarantee her eternal youth. 'Lucrezia Borgia' focuses on the sexual relationship between the famous title character and her equally famous brother and their father, who also happens to be the Pope.