A quick overview of Swedish film history, featuring a breathtaking cavalry of scenes from about 170 films.

16-year-old Marianne will be confirmed. She is reluctant to do this, but her mother is more than happy for her to complete the confirmation. Marianne travels to a rectory in the country where she and a group of other girls will live while they read to the priest. On Midsummer's Eve, she meets by chance one of the other confirmands' fiancés and the feeling arises.

A smart young manicurist works in a hotel where she earns big money by tricking businessmen by persuading them to do certain deals where she has a commission. She meets a young inexperienced man who falls in love with her and proposes.

Christel, the beautiful, blonde daughter of the old master blacksmith Wangen, and the young, handsome student Fritz von Hohenstein have fallen in love. The two spend a happy, carefree time on the banks of the Rhine. This does not fit in at all with the concept of the court clerk Ensser, as the devious officer himself has his eye on the attractive blonde. When he asks for her hand in marriage, Christel immediately rejects him.

Small and short Frida lives with her long, tall friend in a house in the countryside. Frida rejects the idea that people who have committed crimes should be locked up. One day their own house is burgled by Harald. He is sentenced to prison. Acting in accordance with her philosophy, Frida decides to use all means possible to make it possible for Harald to escape.