In 1794 France, the revolution is at its bloodiest point. With the help of Sade's 
mistress, Robespierre sends the sex-addicted but brilliant writer, Marquis de Sade 
(Auteuil) to an insane asylum for aristocrats. There, Sade becomes acquainted with a 
young virgin Emilie de Lancris.
Sade at first faces the hostility of the other asylum patients, who are aware of his 
reputation, but because they're all there waiting for their eventual death, they respond 
in various degrees to his claims for spiritual freedom and take advantage of the joys of 
the moment that could be the last.