Although this movie is NR (not rated), it does contain nudity. In one scene a female cadaver is shown laying face up on a table. The woman is blocked partially by a man leaning over to perform an incision for a crowd of men on the other side. Her breasts are exposed at one point. In another scene is a man playing cards with three women who are wearing masquerade masks. The women are naked and at least one is shown fully from the hips up at a side angle with her breast clearly visible. In one scene, Jeremy Irons and a female nurse are in bed together. They have obviously slept together. They are under covers so there is no nudity in this scene.

In one scene a dead man is hanging from the masts of a ship. His body swings around so his face is in view. He is then cut down and let fall to the deck where his face smashes into the deck and splits open. In another scene, a man is being whipped repeatedly. The open wounds are evident. Some of his blood splatters on a man's face. In another scene, there are some dogs who (though the viewer does not see it) have been cut in the same place so the wounds won't heal. While the dogs wounds are covered and there is no blood, this might be disturbing.

Instances of "bloody" this or that and "damn."

As smoking was in fashion during the 1930's portion of the story, there is some smoking. However it's minimal. Also, small amount of drinking here and there--very minor.

One of the main characters (played by Jeremy Irons) is emotionally detached and has a mental breakdown that lands him in a mental hospital for a time. This may be confusing to younger viewers.