In a pseudo-futuristic 1994, a square couple enter the corrupt world of the music industry, and subsequently a maze of drugs, sex, and temptation.

In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.

In the early 20th-century, the legendary Joe Hill emigrates with his brother to the United States. However, after a short time, he loses touch with his brother. After a few jobs but struck by all the injustice and tragedy, he becomes active in the forbidden IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), a union for workers without trades. It is forbidden to demonstrate and speak in public but Joe finds a loophole by singing his manifests with the Salvation Army. As his allies grow, so do his enemies.

A doctor in 1890 England, in order to cure his wife's "sick mind," injects her with snake venom. She later gives birth to a daughter whom the villagers call "The Devil's Baby" and in a fit of fear they end up burning the family's house down. Years later a Scotland Yard detective is sent to the village to investigate a rash of deaths that are caused by snakebite.

A cat and mouse game develops between a big man of crime and a young detective constable. But the big man doesn't realize, that this mouse roars.

The former wife of a criminal moves to a coastal town and takes over the running of a bar known as The Quiet Woman. She becomes outraged when she discovers the previous owner had allowed local smugglers to use it as a base. She soon has become romantically involved with one of the smugglers, which causes enormous problems when a customs officer turns up, followed closely by her former husband.

A day in the life of Mrs Radcliffe , who believes that the advice she so freely gives is done only out of kindness.