London, 1939. The 83-year-old Freud is resigned to die in exile, but determined that the moment will be of his own choosing. Analysing his life one last time, he recalls the early years in Vienna when, as an ' ambitious young doctor, medicine seemed fatuous; his love-life frustrating; and experiments with cocaine threatened a career yet to begin.
Paris, 1885. Charcot's sensational experiments with hysterical cases are the talk of the town and Freud is much impressed. But the Frenchman's belief that the root of hysteria lies, invariably, in the genitals is greeted with scorn when Freud proclaims it in Vienna. Undaunted, in his treatment of the Baroness, Freud persists with Charcot's methods and Breuer's 'talking cure'.
Vienna 1891. Now set up in practice at 19 Berggasse, Freud is enthralled by the revelations of his patients which relate, invariably, to matters sexual - a theory of neurosis begins to evolve. Breuer's cautious reaction threatens their collaboration, driving Sigmund to an intense new friendship with Wilhelm Fliess whose radical thinking matches that of his own.
An intriguing new relationship develops when Minna Bernays, Freud's attractive sister-in-law, joins the family. Freud's recent 'child seduction' theory has outraged Vienna, leaving him, professionally, more isolated than ever. With Martha consigned to maternal duties and the Fliess friendship deteriorating, increasingly, Minna alone shares Sigmund's private frustrations until the celebrated 'Oedipus' theory ensures his future.
Vienna 1907. Psychoanalysis as a movement is born. Freud's revolutionary theories appeal to a growing band of supporters - Adler, Stekel, Kahane, Federn, Rank, Ferenczi - who passionately participate in the ritual of the 'Wednesday Society' meetings. Of the new-found disciples, Carl Jung is the master's favourite. In this distinguished Swiss gentile, Freud sees the key to promoting the group's image beyond that of a Jewish cabal and, more importantly, the personal relationship he constantly craves.
London, 1939. Psychoanalysis flourishes in America and Freud's works are read worldwide: his international standing has far surpassed his father's simple plea that he make professor. But in the prophet's own land it is a different matter: "They burn my books. Once they would have burned me", he jokes at the Gestapo's efforts to intimidate him. More cautious friends have persuaded the old man to take refuge in England and it is there that he completes the final, revealing session of self-analysis.