The film consists of four separate stories on the theme of sexual desire:
*'The Husband' sees a middle-class husband fearing and fantasising about his wife's infidelity;
*'The Child' sees a lonely young boy who is left fatherless, and who is ignored by his mother, who attaches himself to his new governess who in turn is seduced by the mother's lover;
*'The Priest' is about a priest who falls in love with a nun, and tries to persuade her to leave the church with him; and
*'The Family Man' is about an unfaithful husband who persuades his friend to help him pick up a couple of uni students and take them to his beach house for sex.
Though this type of anthology film is rare these days, it was more common in the 70s. This film has a lot of writing, directing and acting talent involved, especially Thomas Keneally and David Williamson as writers; Fred Schepisi and Tim Burstall as directors; and Jack Thompson, Max Gillies, Judy Morris, Robyn Nevin, and Arthur Dignam as actors.
Some of the stories are stronger than others, and there is a certain frustration with such short stories, but overall there are some interesting insights to be had into Australian views on sex and sexuality in the early 70s, when a new era of sexual liberation led many people to feel that they were missing out on the newfound freedoms.
There is some gratuitous nudity, typical of the 70s films which celebrated the novelty of seeing naked women in any form.
The first story is the least memorable, being about a man who is both fearful and excited about the idea that his wife will have sex with another man, or maybe a group of men.
The second story is a nicely staged period piece, full of long full dresses and big hats. Jill Foster is amusing as the mother who neglects her beloved son to try to find a new husband. However she chooses a self-confessed cad, who, after bedding the mother, chases after the governess (Jill Morris) who he seduces in the greenhouse. Unfortunately, they are spotted by the small boy, who is besotted by the governess, and who takes his revenge on the cad.
The third story involves a young priest, played by Arthur Dignam, who wants to leave the priesthood and run away with a young nun (Robin Nevin). Though she loves him in return, she asks him to wait until her school year finishes to leave, frustrating him enormously. This story is ok, though Dignam always looks too crazed to be attractive. Even this story has its obligatory nudity, with Nevin's breasts appearing in a fantasy segment.
The last story is the hardest-hitting, with Jack Thompson as a lecherous businessman revealing his sexism and trying to force the girls to have sex against their wills. He's a real bastard, and his shy mate, played by Max Gillies, is caught between his mateship with Thompson's character and his desire to behave decently. The young women (Debbie Nankervis and Suzanne Brady) do their best to ward off his advances, and there is some discussion of women's rights, but they are humiliated and only saved from Thompson's character when he falls asleep drunk. This is another of David Williamson's examinations of sexual relations in Australia, and it paints an unattractive picture.
Though this type of anthology film is rare these days, it was more common in the 70s. This film has a lot of writing, directing and acting talent involved, especially Thomas Keneally and David Williamson as writers; Fred Schepisi and Tim Burstall as directors; and Jack Thompson, Max Gillies, Judy Morris, Robyn Nevin, and Arthur Dignam as actors.
Some of the stories are stronger than others, and there is a certain frustration with such short stories, but overall there are some interesting insights to be had into Australian views on sex and sexuality in the early 70s, when a new era of sexual liberation led many people to feel that they were missing out on the newfound freedoms.
There is some gratuitous nudity, typical of the 70s films which celebrated the novelty of seeing naked women in any form.
The first story is the least memorable, being about a man who is both fearful and excited about the idea that his wife will have sex with another man, or maybe a group of men.
The second story is a nicely staged period piece, full of long full dresses and big hats. Jill Foster is amusing as the mother who neglects her beloved son to try to find a new husband. However she chooses a self-confessed cad, who, after bedding the mother, chases after the governess (Jill Morris) who he seduces in the greenhouse. Unfortunately, they are spotted by the small boy, who is besotted by the governess, and who takes his revenge on the cad.
The third story involves a young priest, played by Arthur Dignam, who wants to leave the priesthood and run away with a young nun (Robin Nevin). Though she loves him in return, she asks him to wait until her school year finishes to leave, frustrating him enormously. This story is ok, though Dignam always looks too crazed to be attractive. Even this story has its obligatory nudity, with Nevin's breasts appearing in a fantasy segment.
The last story is the hardest-hitting, with Jack Thompson as a lecherous businessman revealing his sexism and trying to force the girls to have sex against their wills. He's a real bastard, and his shy mate, played by Max Gillies, is caught between his mateship with Thompson's character and his desire to behave decently. The young women (Debbie Nankervis and Suzanne Brady) do their best to ward off his advances, and there is some discussion of women's rights, but they are humiliated and only saved from Thompson's character when he falls asleep drunk. This is another of David Williamson's examinations of sexual relations in Australia, and it paints an unattractive picture.
