Original subtitles

Karl Åge.

Fix the tables, will you?

Sure you can handle this, Regitze?

Put the kitchen table next to the garden table. Go on, hurry up.

WALTZING REGITZE

One, two... five here, five there. That's right.

- But let's just set the table for 11. - When we've invited 137? Silly.

- Do you think they're coming? - Well, they haven't said otherwise.

They belong.

There goes that friendship. A lifelong friendship.

Your old mate wants to see us.

For meatballs. They have a free evening.

How nice.

- Why do we keep on seeing them? - I won't end the friendship.

- Maybe we are growing apart... - Maybe?

Look, they've always been a part of things... now and then anyway.

Now and when? You always swell with pride when they show up.

Your friend, the manufacturer, in his fancy clothes...

He got further and further away from you. From us... from himself.

I can't stand it any more. One day I'll tell him what's what!

Excuse me.

You'll never get the hang of it.

Well, he hasn't had much chance to, has he?

Right, we should have stuck to beer and less responsible jobs.

You're a lucky man, Karl Åge. Soon, you'll retire to a carefree life.

I wish I could afford to drop the whole thing.

- My men are too sure of themselves. - Do you mean your employees?

My men whom I pay a fortune. But not to do slovenly work and jabber.

- I won't tolerate it any more. - No more Mr Nice Guy, eh?

- I'm going to reorganise. - Fire the lazy, irresponsible men?

Reorganise, as I said. It happens to be my company, Regitze.

After the reorganisation you'll hire more cooperative workers?

I don't know what I'll do. It depends on the situation then.

Satisfied?

You're a bastard and you always have been!

I've often wanted to tell you that.

And I think I speak for Karl Åge too.

Now please call a cab. We're going home.

I'm very sorry, Ilse...

You provoked him into acting much worse than he really is.

- I just told him my opinion. - Do you always have to do that?

We've seen the last of them.

- Ilse! - Hello.

Ilse, hello.

- I'm glad you could make it. - Although I'm a bloody bastard?

Maybe not a bloody one. Come on, we just have time for a drink.

It's turning into a proper little country home.

It's a lovely garden. You've really got yourself a nice place.

It's just great here.

You're a lucky man, Karl Åge. But then I've always said that.

You must spend most of your time out here?

- We do. - And the rest of us never sit still.

What I wouldn't give to just sit here with a cold beer. Right, Ilse?

This is llse and this is my old friend Karl Åge. A drink?

- Don't you want to be alone? - Rubbish, it's Saturday night!

- Anyway, Ilse brought a friend. - Hi, it's Karl Åge, right?

Karl Åge!

Don't despair, she's got plenty more, get it?

That's Vera and Vivi and Lis and that's...

- Grete. - Right. And this is Karl Åge.

A hell of a dancer and a great guy.

You're supposed to look after her. Go for it, she's not that bad.

- She's all right. - Tell her she's smart. Be creative.

You're such a drag.

These two German soldiers were discussing what to do after the war.

"I'm going to get pissed. How about you," says one of them.

"I'm going to rent a car and drive around in the great Vaterland.”

"Great, but what are you going to do in the afternoon?"

Børge's great fun to be around.

Hi.

Ilse's friend is ill. So you'll have to cope on your own tonight.

Not that there's much doing here. Let's dance, Ilse.

We can move on afterwards.

- One orange soda. - Do I have to bite a hole in it?

Remember when...

- Sir? - An orange soda.

May I...

May I have this dance?

Yes, you may.

I'm Karl Åge. I don't even know your name.

My name's Regitze. An old-fashioned, dull name.

Regitze? I think it's pretty.

I mean it. It's a nice change from all the usual names.

It suits you. Regitze... Don't you like the sound of it?

Yes, when you say it it sounds rather nice.

This is Annie and that's Rikard.

They're my very best friends.

Ilse and I are leaving. Are you coming?

Of course you aren't. I quite understand.

- Regitze, we'll take you home. - Don't bother.

Karl Åge will take me.

- We're staying here this summer. - Well, you have been everywhere.

Karl Åge hates travelling and I could go alone...

Why don't you and I go somewhere sometime?

Why don't we... sometime.

Here comes the next shift.

Nice to see you. This garden life has put colour into your cheeks.

We've been looking forward to this.

You too? How nice.

- Hello, Jonas. - Thanks for the invitation.

- Even Børge and Ilse are here. - Well, they belong, don't they?

Put on your glasses, Rikard.

Gangway, make room for John.

This was such a good idea.

Some party, eh? Wake up, Dad.

Wake up, Dad!

Come on, you two. You're going to the baker's.

Party? Right, Mum wanted to have a little get-together.

- What would you do without her? - Right.

We're all here. Let's sit down then.

Take a glass and a chair. We didn't have time to fix that.

Listen up, everyone.

Karl Åge, you sit at the head next to Gloria and Ilse.

Then Jonas and the kids. John next to Ilse...

... and then Annie, Rikard, Vibeke, Børge, and me at this end of the table.

Will you help with the drinks? And, Vera, help me in the kitchen.

Right... let's have a toast.

Hello... Granddad?

We're waiting for you, Karl Åge.

Right... sorry.

- Sorry. - We'd like to welcome you all.

Cheers.

What a perfect day for Regitze's summer party.

- Where did you get all those? - I bought them. Cheap.

Have you spent all your wages on flowers?

I only meant to buy a small bunch because it's Saturday, but then...

- You must be out of your mind. - What's done is done.

Stop it... listen to me!

You crazy woman!

Don't worry, I'm not going to make a speech.

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart -

- for inviting Ilse and me today.

Ilse and I go out a lot, maybe too much, -

- and we have a load of business dinners to get through.

And for the most part it's boring as hell.

We have several acquaintances we simply have to cultivate.

But we don't have all that many friends.

And... well, I just want to say -

- that nobody makes us feel more at home than you, Regitze.

And you too, of course, Karl Åge.

Here's to both of them. They go back a long way.

Is your Mum very religious or something?

Only if it's religious to meddle and make yourself unpopular.

Is it your wedding anniversary today, Karl Åge?

Or some other anniversary, eh?

Don't ask him, he's no good at dates.

There's no anniversary. Pass the herrings, Karl Åge.

I never thought you'd up and marry.

We did the respectable thing and married before we had children.

But you had John first.

Yes, we had him first. Why did we get married, Karl Åge?

Your Mum.

Right. People didn't just live together then.

In sin? Are you living together in sin?

Well, we were lucky to get the apartment. It's a bit dark...

Never mind how dark it is!

What's important is that you're living there together.

- I won't permit it, Regitze. - You don't have to. It's a fact.

I would never have imagined that about my only child.

- Soon you'll be telling me... - No, we're not planning a baby.

We can't afford it yet.

- You just want to enjoy yourselves. - No, we care for each other.

- Regitze and I are fond of... - Young man!

Get married.

As a matter of fact we didn't plan to get married.

Your father wouldn't have approved.

Drink your coffee, Mum. Dad's dead.

You must come and visit us.

I want you to see my bedspread and you must feel the mattress.

- Pass the toast, will you? - Why, of course.

Why do the Irish have one full and one empty glass by the bed?

Well, either they get thirsty during the night or else they don't.

Have you thought about the consequences? He might leave you.

Or I might leave him. But we're not going anywhere.

Well, neither am I until I see a marriage certificate.

- But, Mum... - In my time people got married!

But you live your immoral lives like in ancient Rome or whatever.

- We were married yesterday, Mum. - About time! Come to Granny.

What a pretty little boy.

- Which of you does he take after? - You'd better make the extra bed.

Yes, I don't intend to sleep on the floor.

I've found your christening robe, and you've only worn it once -

- so it only needs a good wash. You'll be such a handsome baby.

We're not going to baptise him, Mum.

He's not going to be baptised.

Karl Åge and I have made that decision.

- It's our son, Mum. - But it's my grandson.

- And he's going to be baptised. - That's not for you to decide.

I'll get that boy baptised if it's the last thing I do.

We've never had heathens in our family!

I'm not going to let her get away with this. It's our baby.

Here you are.

For once I want you to be firm.

Mrs Andersen told me to say she's gone to bed.

- Who's gone to bed? - Mum.

- Did my mother send you? - She's bedridden.

And she's going to stay in bed till the stubbornness subsides.

She won't eat and won't see you. That's what she told me to say.

Very well. Thank you for the trouble you've taken.

- She hasn't done that before. - A hunger strike? She's gone too far.

- She loves food. God Almighty! - She won't give in.

- Stupid old bag. - But this time she'll have to.

We have to be firm, Karl Åge!

She won't see a doctor, she's losing weight and she's very weak.

She's lost almost five pounds.

Thank God she's not too weak to go on the scales.

- It's not funny, Karl Åge. - And she can't sleep at night.

Well, tell her... Oh, I don't know!

- Do we have to do something? - We're being firm!

I've brought you some nourishing soup, Mum. It'll do you good.

She says thank you very much, but she's not hungry.

Wouldn't it help if you got up and about?

She hasn't got anything to get up for any more.

Shouldn't I fetch the doctor?

No doctor can help her.

We presume you want to hear about a person you've caused much grief.

Mrs Andersen can't move any more, Mrs Andersen is as good as dead.

- She can't even whisper any more. - I'll pass it on.

It was the daily news.

- Has she got worse? - It sounds as if she has.

It's no good. You'd better see the vicar tomorrow.

- Didn't we agree... - I'll do it then!

But, Regitze... Didn't we agree...

Didn't you tell me to be firm? Isn't it our son?

I'm amazed at your stubbornness.

You're willing to let people die because of your silly idea.

Why can't he just be baptised like every other child?

Oh, you moved, Karl Åge. Just when I had you all.

My mother could be troublesome but she was a remarkable person.

My mother's a bit out of the ordinary too. One Christmas...

- Shut up, Dad. - You tell that story every year!

- You don't even tell it well. - We know it by heart.

Your go.

Hi.

Boy, it's getting chilly outside.

- There's coffee on the stove. - Great, I'll be right back.

Regitze? How come I can't find my winter coat?

You never use your winter coat, Karl Åge.

I use it on chilly nights like this.

It's no good. You need a new one.

There's nothing wrong with it. It's got years left in it.

Regitze, what have you done with my coat?

You know the old fellow who drops by sometimes...

He was shivering with cold and you hardly ever use that coat.

So that's it. Have you given him my coat?

You're crazy! You can't just give some layabout my good clothes.

- He has a name! It's Nielsen. - I don't give a damn!

I might get pneumonia, so what? As long as Nielsen is warm.

Right, let's get it all out in the open now.

- There's more? - He's coming on Christmas Eve.

- Well, now you know. - You didn't invite him?

This was going to be our first Christmas without your Mum.

- You didn't? Christ, Regitze! - I told him to come around 6pm.

Hurry up, Regitze. We're starving.

You're so naive.

He's forgotten all about it.

He's probably dead-drunk. Your Good Samaritan-bit is over.

Get it, will you? I'm busy making the gravy.

You've been doing that for half an hour.

Regitze?

I hope you don't mind, Ma'am, but I've brought some of my mates.

They didn't have anywhere to go.

My wife is just making the gravy. Come on in.

You're very kind, Ma'am.

- A little present. - Thanks a lot.

- Thanks for inviting us. - It smells delicious.

I love you with all of my heart.

- Flowers for the little missus. - Come here, Karl Åge.

Show your Dad. Look at that.

- What have you been up to? - Say what happened, John.

I didn't make any trouble in class but he took it out on me.

That's too bad. But I'm glad you didn't do anything to deserve it.

You'll get over it.

No coffee?

- Is that all you have to say? - What do you want me to say?

What's done is done.

He's not the only boy in the world who's been slapped undeservedly.

- As long as it doesn't happen again. - What a way to look at it.

You'll put up with the injustice as long as it doesn't happen again?

Look, I didn't slap him, did I?

- What do you want me to do? - I'm not just going to ignore it.

Nobody slaps my boy. I'm going to give that teacher a piece of my mind.

Don't, Mum. It'll only make it worse.

- It's better not to interfere. - What a ridiculous thing to say!

- I won't always just back off. - Regitze, let's talk about it.

Is she going to do it? Is she going to see my teacher?

Of course she is. What a totally ridiculous question.

- Don't you ever have homework? - No.

I think she's mad too.

What are you talking about? Your Mum is absolutely right.

She's not doing this just for you, do you see?

She's thinking about all the other kids he might beat up some day.

Do you understand?

We don't have to put up with everything.

There's such a thing as self-respect. Let me look at you again.

The bastard! Go get yourself a lemonade in the icebox.

My boy is one of the graduates you'll be taking.

- I'm going up to congratulate him. - Oh?

I mean, your son doesn't graduate every day.

Michael!

Hi.

This is John's Dad. He's rushed home from work to congratulate you.

- Cheers. - Right, cheers.

- Cheers, old man. - Cheers.

Oh, sorry.

I respect real workers like you. You are what you are.

- Not like all the pompous... - Leave off it, Søren.

- Sit down. - No, I'm fine right here.

Congratulations, my boy.

- I'd like... - No speech. Let's move on, okay?

Bye-bye.

That little snob. Just wait till I get my hands on him!

Long live the two of them! Hurray!

Even the wind wishes them well!

Why did he have to barge in in those scruffy clothes?

- Which he? - Dad, of course.

It's okay. Leave the boy alone. I didn't know what to say anyway.

- But it's not that... - Don't you ever try that again!

You think you're better than us because you've passed that bloody exam

and have a chance to get a nice job. Well, we won't call you "sir"!

- Leave him alone, Regitze. - Don't be embarrassed by us

just because you've got a good head – it's not all that good!

- Do you understand? - I didn't mean it like that.

- Well, it sure seemed like it. - I know that...

- I'm glad you're letting me study. - We love you, John.

We love you so very, very much.

And we're incredibly proud of you.

- Let's keep it that way, John. - Yes.

I'm sorry, Dad.

You're supposed to be smart. How did you get mixed up in this?

Why didn't you like my girlfriend?

She's a vain little tart. My boy deserves better than that!

- You could at least pretend. - Why on earth should I do that?

- I've never done that. - No, you just want the last word.

- You know I'm right. That girl Elinor... - Evy!

Evy! A model! That's the most exploitative job for a woman I ever...

- I'd have more respect for a whore! - Watch your tongue!

Haven't I brought you up to look for more than just a good figure?

God Almighty!

- What if I want to marry her? - You don't. Listen to me!

Live with her for a while but don't ever marry her!

- I'll decide that! - Do as I say!

- You can't stop me! - You won't see us at the wedding!

- Get in touch if you change your mind. - Or, if you do...

Wait a moment, both of you.

Let's all behave like adults.

Don't go, we're a happy family!

- Why don't I learn to keep quiet? - I've often wondered about that.

Of course she isn't John's type.

But he'll find out by himself. In time.

You could at least have tried to be kind to our only son's girlfriend.

Oh, you moved, Karl Åge. Just when I had you all.

You've taken enough already. Let's dance now.

Get a move on, Dad.

Maybe we could...

You could call him.

Or maybe we could, you know...

... just happen to be in the neighbourhood and drop in.

I'll put them in his wardrobe.

- I have wonderful news. - The coffee's waiting.

I went to see John. If he won't come to us, I have to go to him.

It couldn't go on. Anyway, it's over with that dreadful tart.

- Come, now... - It's over, and I'm overjoyed.

Well, at least he can concentrate on his studies now.

He's leaving the university and starting a shorter course somewhere. He'll need it now.

- Why now? - And he's found the loveliest girl.

Vibeke. He's living at her place. She's just the girl for John.

I felt like I'd always known her. I immediately took a liking to her.

- And the children are lovely. - The children?

She's divorced and older than him, and she has two children.

Did you think you could get out of dancing with me.

- Are you worried about your lawn? - Well, it'll probably be ruined.

- Oh, it'll be all right. - Sure.

Not too close.

Karl Åge is dancing.

Go away, Karl Åge!

I'm not allowed in there. She's been crying for hours.

No regrets! Men are like that. Totally unreliable.

I'm hungry, but she's too busy to cook dinner.

- Why don't you go get a couple of sausages? - What about you?

We're having coffee... in between.

John, don't stay up too long, eh?

It's very sweet of you to be so patient.

Now, look...

The fact of the matter is that Gloria wants a divorce.

She's going to stay here for a while. She'll sleep on the couch.

I've told her she can count on us.

- That's what friends are for. - Sure.

I've also told Gloria that we'll do our best to help...

... and that you'll go to her place where her husband is and fetch some clothes.

- Me? - No, I'll go.

No way. He'll beat the living daylights out of you.

- Karl Åge is happy to get it all. - So he can beat me up?

Right, Karl Åge?

Does it have to be right now? It's late...

Think of Gloria's husband. He doesn't know where she is.

He must be worried about her.

Women, Christ!

Are you Gloria's husband?

- So she's not coming home? - No.

She's never been gone this long.

I'm supposed to fetch her things. My wife's letting her stay with us.

I don't know... what comes over me.

Sometimes...

I didn't mean to hurt her.

- She knows that. - Help me gather some clothes.

Sure... we even have a suitcase somewhere.

Let me.

Here are your things. I don't know if they're what you wanted.

What did he say?

He understood that it couldn't go on.

But he took it quite well.

- So go on back to sleep. - You and Regitze...

Oh no, stop it...

- Would you rather rest? - No, I'm fine. I'm not tired.

Tonight we're going to have fun. Take a firm grip around me.

If I was going to fall to pieces, I'd have done it a long time ago.

Try again. Don't be mad, I'm having such a good time.

- It's New Year's Eve. - I have noticed, you know.

Just go back in, Karl Åge, for God's sake. Be a sport.

- You need to go home with Regitze. - You just need to shut up!

Why haven't we met before?

You've never been newly divorced on New Year's Eve before, right?

You're wonderful, Regitze.

Does your quiet husband remember to tell you how beautiful you are?

Don't look so serious.

It's a nice evening. It's summer, and everybody came to the party.

Karl Åge, are you thinking about something?

Yes... tonight it's like all the doors are open.

And I keep wandering in and out of them all.

Are you having a quiet beer? Great party, eh?

Cheers!

Don't be stupid, Karl Åge.

You have a lovely wife. I hope you see to it that she has a good time.

"But why the eyepatches?" "It's their first day with a hook."

Regitze?

- What now? - It's Karl Åge.

Have you come for Regitze's shoes?

- That's why you're here, right? - Regitze's shoes?

- Right, she forgot them. So she... - Shut up, Rikard.

Here you go.

And you can tell her from me that it's silly to forget your shoes.

But how on earth could she do that? She must have been really drunk.

You left before the party ended.

I went to pick up John.

But we'd better leave together next time.

But there won't be a next time.

You were gone when I came home.

I've fetched your shoes. You'd forgotten them.

Oh, right. The shoes. How silly of...

I think we need a cup of coffee.

Karl Åge, I want to ask you something.

Well?

Is it stupid of me to think it could work out with Jonas and me?

- Why shouldn't it? - I'm being realistic.

And at our age. I mean, none of us live forever.

But if could get just five years together, or even three, I'd be satisfied.

- More than satisfied. - Why shouldn't you get ten years?

If only we could stretch time.

We don't know these people well enough to have a garden party with them.

You know the Jensens in the brown cottage.

And the ones in the funny little green cottage. You do know them.

Hello, hello, hello!

Have you brought both dogs with you, Annie?

Look, you can put that over there.

Good, you brought the parrot.

And over here... Oh, hello.

Hold this, will you?

Hello, dear.

- You have a wonderful wife. - Yes.

- I didn't know you knew her. - Everybody knows Regitze.

I'm Jonas by the way. I live in the yellow cottage. I'm 'The Poet'.

I'll drop by again soon. Regitze has invited me over for a drink.

- My wife's good at making friends. - Isn't it wonderful?

Sure.

- That's enough! For God's sake. - Don't.

- She can't! - It seems she can.

She could get hurt on a broken bottle. Where would I get a doctor?

No, Regitze doesn't get hurt. And she doesn't make a fool of herself, either.

- It's turned into a lovely place. - How long have they had it?

Since the early 60s.

Karl Åge hammered away every summer and every weekend.

That's almost 30 years ago.

Has it taken me 30 years to notice you, Gloria?

- You had your books to write. - Did you buy it 30 years ago?

You're turning into a real grump. I can't stand being here any more.

Damn, my Dad's out of work.

Don't ever do that again! Nobody slaps my boy!

- Tell us why you bought it. - It was a peace offering after he got a job again.

- He hated being unemployed. - Go on, you tell it so well.

- Go on, old boy. - No, not tonight.

- Lay off. - Look, are you getting divorced?

- Shut up! - Just stop now.

I didn't mean to hit him.

I don't want to be like this. But I can't stand it!

Can't you understand, Regitze?

You get sick and tired of queuing up and waiting.

Only to be told that there's no work.

What's wrong with me? Aren't my hands as good as anyone else's?

Do you think I like being a worthless piece of garbage?

Stop it!

Is this the man I married?

I thought I'd married a real man but what did I end up with?

A whimpering, blubbering fool!

I won't accept that. You're out of work right now, but so what?

You're not the only one.

There are others much worse off, because you'll get a job again.

Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but some day you will.

But in the meantime you have to find something to do!

Get yourself an allotment. Start riding a bike. Just do something!

And stop wearing yourself and the rest of us out. Stop it!

You could live there all year round if you had the time and it was legal.

It's a great cottage, he said. Living room, kitchen, bathroom...

And running water.

And one day we'll get electricity.

Hello.

- It's wonderful. - Yes, it is.

Look, I want one like that.

Very nice.

Hello.

It's really nice here.

And we can grow vegetables, potatoes, and flowers. All sorts of stuff.

- He said it was a great cottage. - Have you seen it?

You haven't...

- A field of weeds with a toilet. - Just wait till we've fixed it up.

Right! It'll be great.

It'll be just perfect.

Imagine buying a junk heap like that without looking at it first.

- Our weekends are booked up now. - Yes, for the next four or five years!

- Men! - And especially Karl Åge.

Let's go see the inside of the toilet.

We're the guests that never go home.

Yes, we've always been the last.

Sometimes...

... in the old days you stayed all night.

We've stuck together for as long as I can remember.

Yes, it's good to stick together.

We're counting on you, Karl Åge. There's nowhere else we can take him.

Pretend you're playing.

It's our leader, Leif to you, he's one of our best men.

Someone has informed on him, and we can't get him out tonight.

Only I know your address. It's our only chance. Is it okay?

Sure, but... I don't want Regitze mixed up in it.

She knows perfectly well what's going on. That's no excuse.

She's not a problem.

I'll send him over tonight and if Regitze really is so naive...

... you'll think of a story.

Don't try to fool me, Karl Åge. I know what's going on.

Be careful. I don't want to lose you.

He's dead.

We got him as far as the boathouse...

... and the fishing boat was on its way in.

The beach was quiet and he was talking to the other fugitives.

Our contact was on his way back. Everything was going as planned.

But suddenly the Germans appeared with searchlights and machine guns.

They shot him.

- It wasn't all fun and games. - No... but still.

Just imagine if he'd had to shoot someone.

He'd never have hit them.

Neither would have Karl Åge.

I think... I think our time for the most part has been good.

We're still here. We'll be here for a long time yet.

- How long? - One or two months.

Six months at most. I'm sorry.

- Do you smoke? - But she was cured.

- That's why they sent her home. - No, she can't be cured.

- I thought you ought to know. - But can't you do something?

You're a doctor. Someone must be able to do something.

It's not true.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE STRAWBERRIES ARE SWEET, AND SO ARE YOU

I don't want any blubbering.

I want nothing to change.

I want to have a summer party in the garden the same as before.

- Regitze. - It's going to be a nice, happy, fun party.

- Do you hear me? - Yes, I hear you.

Don't look like that.

I want nothing to change. Otherwise, I'll go to pieces.

Tomorrow... I think it'll be a nice day tomorrow.

I'm going to lie in the garden with a book and be waited on.

And when John comes you can help him with the records and stuff.

And afterwards...

... you'll sit next to me and drink a beer.

But that's today, Regitze. It's already today.

There'll be many more nice days.

The good weather will last at least a month, so they say.

We can stay here. And if it rains, we'll go into town to see a film.

Or to go out to dinner. Or to go to an exhibition you'd like.

- There's a lot we can do. - Yes, we still have a lot we can do.