All language subtitles for The.New.Land.1972.PROPER.SWEDISH.1080p.BluRay.H264.AAC-VXT

I've had enough
of being tossed about...

On land or sea!
We'll be there soon.

Homesteader Karl Oskar Nilsson

imagine if this ox were mine.

Are we almost there?

It's just a bit further.

You didn't consult me
before picking a spot so far away.

No.

- Are the stones still warm?
- They seem to be.

Let's go on.
They might harm us if they see us.

No, Anders says the savages
in these parts aren't hostile.

You couldn't come with me
to look at the land,

so I had to decide alone.

I've picked out the best spot
in all of north America.

But it's such
an everlasting way there.

To a place like this,

no way in the world is too long.

Don't go thinking I'll put up
with everything you do.

- Trust me.
- You always think you're the wisest.

You never ask anyone's advice.

I ask yours sometimes...

Don't I?

Maybe sometimes, but you always
do what you want regardless.

The ground here
is easy to till, anyway.

It's a lovely spot
you've found, Karl Oskar.

See that shanty

up there?

It's just a little shanty.
That's what they call them here.

But it's a roof over our heads
till we get the house finished.

We'll have to live
like paupers at first.

But we have more land
than any big farmer at home.

And better land!

Look, Kristina.

See that?

We'll grow good bread here.

The new land

“Dear beloved parents...”

Directed, filmed, and edited by

Karl Oskar.

We have to buy a cow
for milk in the winter.

I should have told you before.
It's not so easy.

We have nothing
to buy a cow with.

Nothing?

Are we that bad off?

Everything's been so expensive.

And you can't say
I've bought anything unnecessary.

A cow's as necessary
as anything else.

Not as necessary as the house.

But the whole winter?

You think the children can go
till spring without a drop of milk?

Isn't there any way?

How can we buy it with no money?

You think it's winter coming on?

It can't come on this suddenly!

Will you finish the house in time?

I'll make the next one bigger.

And plane the logs
on both sides.

What do you think?

Now you can look!
One, two, three!

What on earth!

You found a wild cow?

We thought you could
borrow her for the winter.

We only need one.

She's a bit old, of course...

But she's fat,
and a good milker.

She's stuck.

You're stuck?

It's your fault, Karl Oskar.

You made the chair
too small for a grown woman.

You're old enough to know

that womenfolk are broader
in the beam than menfolk.

God made us like that
so we can lie solidly on our backs

and obey his commandments
to multiply and fill the earth.

Ulrika makes a great porridge!

That's the kind of woman
a man needs.

You have a woman already.

The Indian girl
can only cook hogwash.

Why do you have her then?

She'll do to scratch the itch.

Of course...

She's a bit small down there,

but all Indian girls are.

Cheers, everyone!

This American liquor
is good and strong,

but it's the color of cow piss.

Help me.

Can you keep a secret, arvid?

You know I can.

I'm clearing out of here
the minute I can.

You're leaving your brother?

Karl Oskar's not my master.

I'm going off to dig for gold.

Gold?

You never said anything about that.

Some things you keep secret.

But I wasn't thinking
of going alone.

I'd like you to come along.

Want to?

There's no ocean to cross?

No.

Now, I figure if we walk...

Thats it, boys
you're sounding good

fiddling like you're sawing wood

gusten's barking out the rhythm

Janne's on accordion
right along with him

squeezing it hard
and stomping his feet

neighing like a horse in heat

Lena, you glide
like a bird in the sky

you're fleet of foot
and fair to the eye

as pretty ladies fill the room

my heart starts pounding
boom boom boom!

Their skirts
are swirling full and long

to Janne's tune
and gusten's song

the bright blue day
turns purple-pink

as the sun
behind the mountains sinks

the night sky hangs
as pretty as can be

over finnbdcksby

Once we get the road in,
it won't seem so far.

Does anyone regret emigrating?

What's that?

Does anyone regret emigrating?

Regret it?

Regret coming to a country

where you're treated
like a human being?

I'd sooner
they made sausage of me!

Back home they think
Sweden's the whole world.

That's why they're so smug.

That Satan's den!

If you stepped
outside your door in the morning

and let out a fart,

people would pass it on
till it echoed all over the parish.

It was appointed
that we should move here.

We must entertain
neither regret nor fear.

Well, there's something I regret:

Not having moved here
six years ago!

I'll never budge,

as sure as I sit here!

- Kristina!
- What is it?

Are you in pain?

She's tired and needs rest.

Forgive me...

For blubbering like this!

I can't help it.

I'll be all right in a minute.

There, there.

Just wait till you see
our next house.

Our next house
here at ki-chi-saga...

Karl Oskar despises the Indians,

but they know better
than to go around

hacking at the earth
like the whiteskins.

Robert...

About that gold.

Where is it?

In California.

I mean,
do you know where exactly?

Not exactly.

We have to look for it
and ask around.

Is it scattered around
or all in one place?

Scattered around.

I wonder what danjel will say.

Can't you do as you like?

Sure, but he paid my passage.

When we return,
you can pay him so much

that he can travel
for the rest of his life.

Get out of here! Out!

Dear god, that was a close call.

You sure you're all right?

It's nothing. It'll pass.

- But you're in pain?
- I'll be all right soon.

My time has come, Karl Oskar.

- You think so?
- It can't be anything else.

- Isn't it early?
- By two weeks.

I don't decide these things!
Of course not, darling.

We have to get help.
Go get ulrika.

- Ulrika!
- Yes, I asked her when we moved.

Ulrika...

There, there.

Help me.

Is mother going to die?

You needn't worry, Johan.

There's nothing to worry about.
Mother will be fine soon.

I see the head!

Get a firm grip on her.

Hold me!

It's a boy.

He's made like his father
between the legs.

Hand me the sheep shears.

He was made in Sweden.

But we'll pray to the lord
to preserve him...

So that he's none
the worse for it.

He'll be a real American.

He's a sturdy one.

Shall we show him to mother?

Have a little nip now.

I baptize you nils Oskar danijel...

In the name of the father...

And the son...

And the holy ghost.

Let us pray.

I shot an Indian!

What's this nonsense?
You're lying!

No, I'm not!

I think he fell down.

He shot at me first.

If you shot an Indian,
it means trouble for us all.

Where was it?

At the foot of the big cliff.

Come show me.

There.

Did he shoot arrows at you?

Yes, several.

He's been dead for weeks.
He never shot arrows at you.

But it's true! I swear!

It must have been
another Indian in another tree.

I'm sure I heard arrows.

You're hard of hearing
in one ear.

I know what this means.

The Indians can't bury their dead
in the frozen ground.

They hang them up
like this until spring.

But I swear!

- You were lying. Take it back.
- I won't take back one word.

If you're so far gone
that you believe your own lies,

no one's going
to believe you anymore.

You can't order me around.

You're not my guardian.
I'm your older brother.

Well, that's the last of it.

No more bread from now on.

Think we could borrow
a sack of flour from uncle danjel?

We still owe him
for the mortgage back home,

but I suppose we have no choice.

You'll soon have
one less mouth to feed.

What?

I'm leaving.

For the goldfields in California.

What will you do there?

Dig for gold, of course.

Dig for gold!

Arvid's coming too.

You can't. I won't allow it.

In America
every man is his own master.

We'll work for our passage
on the steamboat to St. Louis

and then continue overland.

You'll never manage.
You're just 18.

You left home at 14.

That's true...

But that was back home.

That's different.

You went where you liked at 14.

Can't I do the same at 18?

You can't stop me.

As soon as the ice breaks up,
we're off.

You shouldn't give me
your last dollars.

You might need them...

In case you don't find
all the gold you expect.

Is it true what Jonas petter says?

Did Samuel ngjd propose?

It's true. He proposed.

Another one!

Did you give him an answer?

He got the same answer
as Anders mansson and Mr. Abbot.

I wonder who'll end up
being your husband.

I don't have to wonder.

I'm leaving danjel
and moving to stillwater.

A miracle has happened.
A miracle?

I'm to be baptized a baptist...

By my husband-to-be.

My goodness!

I'm marrying
pastor Jackson of stillwater.

It's a miracle from god!

I can't explain it.

There's nothing more I can say.

Dear sweet ulrikal

you surprise me.

It's not like you to be sad.

I'm not sad!

I'm happy!

I'm so happy for you.

You couldn't ask
for a better husband.

It's a miracle!

Turn around

and close your eyes till I say.

Close your eyes.

You can look now.

You have to try it on too.

You look prettier
than the finest high-society lady.

Lord, reach out
your mighty hand...

And take me back to Sweden.

I thought you were asleep.

Something woke me.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Go back to sleep.

Then why are you lying awake?

It's nothing.

It's so silly and childish.

Are you sad?

Are you sad about something?

If you're struggling with something,
we have to help each other.

The best of friends
have to help each other.

If god is to take you back home,

I'll reach out my arms
and keep you here with me.

Listen, Karl Oskar.

There's nothing more to say.

It was a childish thought that came
over me as I said my prayers.

Dear Kristina.

Don't you ever long
for the old country?

Sure, sometimes.

I can't help it.

Darling.

Wait, I'll get something for you.

Anna's old shoe.

It helps me remember...

If I ever feel sad.

Maybe it will help you too.

But I'll tell you this:

One day our children will thank us
for coming to north America.

Do you think so?

You really think so?

I feel it. I know it.

Maybe so.

You never know.

Kristina...

You remember
when we moved here last fall,

and you said it was almost as pretty
as at home at duvemala?

I've been wondering

if we should call
our new home here duvemala.

What do you think?
Or new duvemala.

Just imagine!

Duvemala.

Then we don't live
at ki-chi-saga anymore.

We live at duvemala.

It sounds so strange.

Shall we do that? Is it settled?

You know what tomorrow is?

It's an important anniversary.

It's April 14:

One year to the day...

Since we boarded
the ship at karlshamn.

And tomorrow I'll plow
American soil for the first time.

You're Swedish, I guess?

Petrus olausson,
from alfta parish.

Karl Oskar Nilsson,
from ljuder in smaland.

I thought I'd settle down
here by the lake.

We're neighbors now.

In Sweden I was fined
200 silver daler

for reading a chapter
from the Bible in my own house.

No, Sweden's been ruined
by corrupt authorities.

Every night in my prayers
I thank the lord

for my new homeland.

I'm glad we're getting
neighbors so close.

I never thought anyone else
would want to live way out here.

You won't be alone much longer.

Really?

Two more families
are coming to settle here.

Hear that?

One from halsingland
and one from ostergétland.

Then we can start a parish.
You mean a church parish?

Yes. We'll build a church...

A little log-cabin temple
to god.

A house of god

in plain timber, of course.

Well, you see...

I have to think about a barn first,

and I was thinking
of a new farmhouse.

We mustn't strive in the flesh
and forget the hereafter.

Building a barn is no excuse

for putting off building
a house of god.

If I'd had money
for my own oxen,

1d have cleared 30 acres by now.

I have an ox.

If you get one,
we can help each other.

Are you the only man here?

A younger brother
came over with me,

but he left for California
two years ago.

No one knows if he's still alive.

Here's where I'll build
the new farmhouse.

A bit on the big side, isn't it?

The kitchen will be at this end,

and the sleeping quarters
at the other.

The wall will be here.

I tell you,
you can't build it that big.

Yes, I can.

Look at this.

This is from back home
in Sweden.

An apple tree!

An astrachan.

How pretty!

The men here are so courteous.

They value their womenfolk
here in America.

In that devil's hole Sweden,
men use women

as servants in the day
and mattresses at night.

In between,
they're not worth a fart.

We stood still
in front of a machine for a while,

and then, like magic,

we were painted
on that thick paper.

As pretty as a painting.

We've hung there like that
for over a year.

Would you like some more?

You have a good
and kind husband.

Henry's gentle.

How did you understand
each other

before you learned english?

We pointed and made signs
and gestured.

- Excuse me.
- Something stick in your throat?

No, it's the parson
that's on the way.

Not Henry! The parson
I'm bringing into the world.

That's why I went and threw up.

I'm pregnant, you see.

When I married,
I hadn't had a man in bed with me

for four long years.

It felt nice to use my body

for the purpose
it was created for...

And in a union blessed by god.

Though Jackson popped it in
too fast in the beginning.

That was the problem.

Sleep well, now.
You have a long journey tomorrow.

Good night.

Ask who it is first

who is it?

May I have shelter, good people?

- You're Swedish?
- Yes.

Thank heaven!
You got caught in awful weather.

- Where have you come from?
- I've just come from St. Paul.

I walked the whole way.

I'm completely exhausted.

Sit down and dry off.

It's nice to come inside
where it's warm.

You're bleeding!

- Am I?
- Did you hurt yourself?

The mosquitoes
were biting something awful.

Karl Oskar Nilsson.

Ljuder parish.

Erland torner is my name.

I'm from vaderstad parish

in ostergétland.

Ostergétland. I see.

I suppose...
You've come here to settle?

No, I'm a pastor
in the church of Sweden.

- You're a pastor?
- Yes.

I come to you as a stranger,

my good countrymen...

But here are my papers

to certify that -

we didn't doubt you
for a moment.

Would you like some dry clothes?

I'm sure Karl Oskar
has something that -

it's almost a sacrilege

to dress a parson like that.

It's a bit big,

but it's nice and warm.

You're welcome to share
what we have for dinner.

May I ask...

Why you've come to America?

For the emigrants' sake.

For our sake?

But who pays you?

No one.

But good people

give me food and lodging.

Like here tonight.

And as you care for me,

so will I care for the souls
of my countrymen.

Do you think
you could prepare us

for absolution?

We haven't received
absolution in three years.

From this I have learned

that with sin

one must not jest

I've taken today's reading

from the acts of the apostles,
chapter 17.

For to dwell
on all the face of the earth,

and hath determined
the times before appointed,

and the bounds
of their habitation...”

Forgive me, pastor.

God has decreed...

How far and wide

man shall roam,

and I speak to you,
Swedish women and men,

who have traveled
a third of the earth's surface,

from continent to continent.

L, a poor and sinful creature...

Born a sinner...

And a sinner all my days...

May the body of Christ
that you are about to receive

preserve thee unto everlasting life.

May the blood of Christ
that you are about to receive

preserve thee unto everlasting life.

Behold, behold

now we are all

like Jesus

You mean ulrika?

She and I
are the best of friends.

Friends!

Your friend is married
to the baptist parson in stillwater!

She's been rebaptized!

I know. But that's her business.

Then you shall know this too:

We must not have commerce
with lost souls.

Do not let that woman
into this house.

Do not open your door to her.

With Mrs. Jackson you admit
a spiritual enemy into your home.

We warn you
out of Christian love.

Uncle petrus...

Do you realize you're speaking

of the best friend
I have in America?

Friendship can blind us.

Dear Kristina...

These evil spirits
disguise themselves as friends.

You don't recognize your spiritual
enemy in this Mrs. Jackson.

You dare come here
and speak ill of ulrika?

The poor child!
What's she saying?

Dear Kristina, calm down.

You must correct your foolish wife.

Help us talk some sense into her.

- This is ridiculous.
- It is indeed!

You leave Kristina alone.

She can open the door
to anyone she likes.

And don't be giving orders in my house!
I've meant to tell you this before.

I don't need a guardian,
and neither does my wife.

There - I've said it,
once and for all!

My dear neighbor...

You must understand us.
We wished only to warn you.

You came here to drive a wedge
between ulrika and me.

You slander her
and accuse her of evil deeds.

You've forgotten
the eighth commandment.

You should be ashamed!

Come, petrus.
I see we've come too late.

My dear Kristina...

We came here today
out of Christian love,

and you received us
with words of abuse.

But I forgive you.

I know it's not your doing.
Evil spirits speak through you.

Enough of your evil spirits!

Christian folk must avoid
this contaminated house

until it's been cleansed.

Out!

Get out if it's too unclean
for you here!

“Until it's been cleansed”!

I'll never forget that
as long as I live. Out!

Nineteen out of 20 men
in these parts

are like cooped-up stallions,

grumbling and pining for a woman

till moss starts growing
on their pricks.

Or else they end up doing
like Samuel no6jd

and taking one of those
brown women to live with them.

I'll tell you this much:

You'll never catch me going to bed
with an Indian woman.

I bet you'd go crawling
in a pinch.

There's nothing wrong
with their pussies,

even if they are a bit small.

We were thinking we should write
to the Swedish government

and tell them to send over
a shipload of females.

Sturdy, respectable,
upstanding females, of course.

And we'd promise in writing

to take the virginity
of every one of them

the very day they arrived...

Or by the next night

at the very latest.

And if any woman still had
her maidenhood at sunrise,

she could claim
a thousand daler in damages.

If only I had an ox of my own.

I could double our harvest.

You'd better get off.

Stamp your feet.

No!

Move!

Go, damn youl!

We'll be home soon.

Bundle up tight.

Come here.

Johan!

Johan, my boy!

There, Johan.

Keep warm.

I'll be back soon.

Robert!

You're back!

You recognized me quicker
than Karl Oskar did.

He was in the crib when I left.

We have another one now.

This is ulrika.

You must be hungry.

Thirsty more than anything.

I caught a little cold
on the steamboat.

Isn't arvid with you?

No, he didn't want to come.

Then where is he now?

He's still out there.

He stayed behind.

Eat up. You have to eat.

You're just skin and bones.

Does your ear still hurt?

Oh, it buzzes and roars.

You should hear
what it tells me at night.

What?

I should have had that cradle
out in the goldfields.

They handle gold
like a baby there.

They rock it to and fro

till the dirt and gravel
are sifted out

and the gold lies
gleaming at the bottom.

Where do they find gold?

All over the place.

Sometimes in the strangest places.

There was a man
on the washing team.

One night he got
such a horrible stomachache

that he lay on his belly
howling and screaming.

The next morning he was dead.

One of the other men

took a knife
and slit open the man's belly.

His insides were
glimmering with gold.

He'd been a nugget thief,
you see.

He'd swallow a nugget
now and then.

He thought they'd come out
the regular way, of course.

He'd swallowed gold worth $4,000.

So there's gold
in California, all right.

How dreadful!

What awful things you've seen!

Did you hear that, Karl Oskar?

Did you really find gold
in California?

I'm satisfied.

Is that the truth? I mean -

I've served my last master.

I have plenty.

Enough for all three of us.

Robert, stop lying to us.

It's more than I can listen to.

It upsets me.

You don't believe me?

You know you didn't bring
any gold home.

But no one's blaming you
for coming back with no gold.

We're just happy
to see you alive.

You think I'm lying.

Take this.

It'll do as well as gold.

I took a little pocket money
out of the bank.

Keep the bucks.
They're a present.

Intermission

390, 400, 450...

700, 750...

800, 850...

Do we dare keep it in the house?

Sure. No one would ever suspect.

Just think:

We got 1,500 riksaaler
for all korpamoen.

This is ten times as much.

I felt from the start
that Robert wasn't lying this time.

We mustn't get too excited.
We can't be sure.

You still doubt him?

It could all be worthless.

You think
your brother's a forger?

I'll be all right
once we get to California.

Ith be all right
once we get to California.

Arvid

let's turn back, Robert.

Hobert let's turn back.

Uncle Robert's asleep.

Mother, when are we eating?

Run outside and play.
Out you go!

We joined together
and formed our own parish,

with our own schoolhouse.

Your brother's become
a respected man in America.

He and uncle danijel
are on the board.

I've been made Deacon.

So you're a churchwarden?

Yes, though
with no church for now.

But we've started building it.
Finally!

They argued for a year
over where it should be.

People here
can't agree about a thing.

They squabble
over every little detail.

People had
too little say back home.

It's no surprise that
they make up for it here.

Are the children learning
english in school?

Yes.

Will you read something
for your uncle?

Stand up like at school.

I don't understand half of it.

Marta, will you sing
something for uncle Robert?

- Sing your school song.
- Yes, sing that.

To school we now go
and we stand in a row

with hands and faces so clean

let us now hear
with an attentive ear

all that we're taught
else too late it has been

if idly we linger
and don't lift a finger

we may come to grief
and it's our fault, we're told

ah, hasten fo learn
and for knowledge to yearn

for it is lar better
than silver and gold

Arvid.

One of the mules got loose.

We've got to find it
before he wakes up.

You shouldn't wear yourself out
sewing clothes.

You can afford dresses now
in the prettiest materials.

Silks and velvets
aren't what I'll be buying first.

There are a thousand things
I need more.

You're a good person, Robert.

You've always been good to me.

You had a tough time out there.

Lucky you got away with your life.

Got away...

You think I got away?

Why don't you just say
that arvid's dead?

That first night, you said
he stayed behind in the goldfields.

You didn't tell us he'd lost his life.

Who doesn't lose his life out there?

Everyone on the trail does,
one way or another.

Why all these riddles?

Why don't you speak
the plain truth for once?

You're burning up.

It feels like a fever.

Robert, we're brothers.

Why won't you confide in me?

The first night I came home...

You told me to stop lying.

I'd started to confide in you...

But you didn't believe me.

You said, “I know you've
come back without a nickel.”

Sit down.

We can be friends again.

Why did you hide the watch?

No one thinks you killed arvid

and stole his property.

But maybe that's right.

Maybe it was me who killed arvid!

Now you're talking gibberish.

One day he wanted to turn back...

But I -

I can't take it anymore.
Leave me alone!

I just can't take it.
Forgive me.

Have you never gone
to see a doctor?

I'm only 22.
I should be healthy enough.

But it could be something serious.

I don't know... it might be fatal.

Fatal?

Surely you don't think
I'm afraid of dying.

Everyone's afraid of dying.

I'm not.

Death can't do a thing to me.

That's blasphemous.

Nothing that happens
can touch me anymore.

Neither good nor bad.

You know why?

No.

Tell me.

I'm reconciled to my fate.

That's all.

You understand?

I'm not proud.

I humble myself instead.

I accept my fate.

Here's your money back.

You can use it next time
you use the outhouse!

That's right. Keep your rubbish!

I can manage
without your worthless money.

Are you crazy?
Throwing away all that money!

“Good for nothing,”
they said at the bank.

It's not worth a penny!

No... that's not true.

You still deny it?

You goddamn liar!

To think I brought you
to America.

You're so full of lies
they're coming out your ears!

You've been lying since
you came back. I've had enough.

Can't you talk things over
in a civilized way?

It never occurred to me

that the bills might be fake.

They call it “wildcats money.”

I told you that first night -

there, you see!
You knew. You admit it.

He knew it was worthless.
“Wildcats money.”

Just what they said at the bank.

He did it on purpose! Calm down.

Trying to palm
his filthy paper off on us!

I didn't mean to trick anyone.

Listen - - shut up!

To think you're my brother!
You goddamn swindler!

To live my whole life
ashamed of my own brother!

How was I to know -

for god's sake,
can't you be quiet!

I'll shut that lying mouth of yours!

Are you mad!

Just shutting
that lying mouth of his!

Are you hurt bad?

No, I don't think so.

I'm all right.

I'm all right.

I'm not bleeding.

The lying mouth isn't bleeding.

We're going
to talk things over calmly now.

Tell me the truth, Robert.

Dear, sweet Kristina...

I didn't mean to deceive anyone.

I didn't mean to trick anyone.

I'm not lying.

I had no idea.

You see, I never touched
any of that money myself.

I was saving it

for you and Kristina.

Forgive me.

I wasn't in my right mind.
Can you forgive me?

I forgive you, Karl Oskar.

It's forgiven. Remember that.

You're my only brother.

And I too would like
to ask for your -

but it's too late now.

It's all too late now.

“Here lies Axel Robert Nilsson

born in ljuder in Sweden 1833

died in Minnesota,
north America, 1855

may I rest in peace”

“...and to renounce and abjure...

For always all alleg-"

we'll have to find out
what “allegiance” means.

“And fideli-~" - “fidelity.”

- I don't know what that means either.
- Trohet

does it? Are you sure?

Are we to be swedes no longer?

They struck us
from the parish register in Sweden.

We're American citizens now.

Suppose I start using
the name in these papers

and signing my name
“Charles o. Nelson”?

How would you like that?

I wouldn't!

You can renounce the Swedish king,
but if you give up

your Swedish name,
I'll laugh in your face for such vanity!

Anyway, I get to vote
for president next time.

You can't deny that the authorities
here have been kind at us.

You mean
they've been kind fo us.

“To us.” right.

Maybe it should be said
that there way.

There you go again!

You're always saying
“that there way.”

In Swedish we say “that way.”

I see.

All right.

Maybe you're right.

Of course I'm right!

You'll just never admit it.

You “close” the door
and “put” wood on the fire

and “put out” the fire.

In Swedish we “shut” the door

and “lay” wood on the fire
and “extinguish” the fire.

I see I'd best keep my mouth shut
the rest of the evening.

Mother, listen to this.

“Last year...

25,000 of Elias howe's
sewing machines with shuttles

were manufactured and sold

in the American union.”

Wouldnt you like
a sewing machine?

Dearest Karl Oskar...

If you'll “put” more wood
on the fire, I'll cook supper.

I can't put it off any longer.
I'll join up.

Or else I might be forced to.

You're not forced to yet.

No, but I may be soon.

By October 1st
they may start drafting people.

Wait till then.

It's more honorable

to volunteer.

You're thinking of going to war
of your own free will?

If there were
an honest way out of it,

I wouldn't go at all.
You know that.

But this way I'd just be pushing
my obligation off on others.

I'd feel like a cowardly wretch.

So you'd enlist
to ease your conscience?

Yes, that's right.

What does your conscience tell you
about the fifth commandment?

“Thou shalt not kill.”

That commandment

doesn't apply in war.

The catechism doesn't say
that war is an exception.

One has a right to defend oneself.

The man you kill
says the same thing.

“I have a right to defend myself.”

Are you against me doing this?

I don't want your hands
to kill anyone.

I don't want you entering eternity
with blood on your hands.

That's why.

If you take another's life,
you lose your own.

I don't want your soul to be lost.

Tend to your eternal life.

So that's how you see it.

But you're wrong.

I won't be guilty of murder
if I kill enemies at war,

neither in god's eyes
nor in man's.

The slave drivers
in the south are to blame.

They started it.
We have to defend ourselves.

A Christian is forbidden
to kill any man.

I have no choice.

I must have peace of mind!

I don't want you
to be a murderer.

But it seems you must go

to ease your conscience.

If I were a man, I'd be proud

to be considered unfit to kill people.

You'll have me here
at home after all

as long as the war lasts.

That's right.

Some eat their own children.

They have nothing else
to live on.

The soldiers at redwood

showed me
a pile of gnawed bones...

Of Indian children
who'd been eaten.

But the storehouses...

Were full of food.

The Indians' food.

But the government
won't give in to their demands...

So they weren't allowed
to eat their own food.

How can they just
put up with it?

What are they to do?
Starve to death?

Or kill others?

What others?

Take a guess.

Those who stole their land,
of course.

And who would that be?

This entire country
was stolen from the Indians.

This entire country?
I didn't steal any land.

I paid the government

for every single acre,
fair and square.

Yes...

But you bought stolen property.

Are you accusing me
of dishonest dealings?

You acted honorably enough.
That was all right.

It was in accordance with the law.

But that law
was made afterwards...

After they'd done the stealing.

And what did they pay
for the land?

One dollar for 20,000 acres...

Of the most fertile soil
in the world.

When I came here,
there was nothing but wild grass.

Now there are crops
that can feed us and others.

I earned my land
when I cleared and plowed it.

Yes...

But you got it cheap, Nelson.

Forgive me for what
I prayed for last summer.

For not wanting any more children.

You've shown me
that it wasn't your will.

You have to be there, god.

You hear me?

You have to be.

You must have been
getting anxious, Karl Oskar.

We took so long.

But there were
so many people ahead of us,

and when it was finally our turn,

they brought in a man
from the sawmill.

His nose had been sawed off.

His face looked like mincemeat.

Such a nice-looking man, too.

Well, I'll fix lunch.

You must be starving.

What did the doctor say?

We have plenty of time
to talk about it later.

He examined Kristina.

The womb itself is fine.

The womb itself?
Then is something else wrong?

You promised
to explain to Karl Oskar.

Yes, I did, my friend.

Come, Karl Oskar.
Let's talk in the kitchen.

Kristina's insides are torn up.

She can't take any more.

Not even once more.

Going through labor again
would be the death of her.

So now you know.

The doctor's exact words were...

Now you've heard it in english too.

Your wife can be
fit and healthy again

if you take good care of her.

Take care of Kristina.

Don't ever get her pregnant again.

I'm sorry for you,

being forced to bed alone
from now on.

I'm no use anymore.

You'll get your health back.
That's all that matters.

But I'm of no use
to you anymore.

I'm worn out.

You heard what I said.

It's all that matters.

I'm useless as a woman.

You don't have
a real wife anymore.

I"m not well.

I've ruined my health

in this place.

Not everyone can take it here.

You have
to stop drinking, mansson.

You're ruining everything.

I was the ruin of my mother.

That's what you mean.

You'll be your own ruin too.

Have you ever even tried to stop?

Every day for ten years.

Then why can't you?

Because...

I"m scared.

Scared.

You can't -

you can't -

what are you afraid of?

You're up?

Yes.

Are you sick?

No.

Then what's the matter?

I'm coming back to you.

What are you talking about?

I want to be your wife again.

I've come back to you.

Don't you want me?

You don't know
what you're doing.

You're being rash.

You're not to worry.

I know what I'm doing.

We can't risk your life.

My life is in the hands
of the almighty.

It's too dangerous.

How can you even think of it?

It's easy.

I pay no attention
to the doctor.

I trust in god.

If I live, it's god's will.

If I die, it's his will.

I'm with child again.

You mustn't be afraid.

It's always gone well before.

Why shouldn't it this time?

I worked it out.

In February.

I'll carry the child
until February.

It was in may.

It happened the first time.
I'm sure of it.

That's no wonder, I guess.

What do you think?

On August 18, 1862,

70,000 gold dollars
arrived at fort ridgely.

The starving sioux tribes

had long been claiming it
from the government.

It was exactly one day too late.

Sven danjelsson's settlement
in meeker county, August 17.

- Are the others from Sweden?
- Yes.

- From smaland?
- Yes.

They're digging
in the potato patch.

Little boy.

I think we have visitors.

Do we know them?

Yes, we've given them food before.
I'll go talk to them.

Good.

Damn it!

How close are they?
Have you heard anything?

No one knows anything for sure.

At the meeting last night

we agreed we should fight back.

They're building ramparts
over by the church.

They could be here soon.
We don't have enough men.

Well, I can't come.

Kristina's in bed.
She had another miscarriage.

I understand
why you need to stay home.

You've never been one
to shit your pants in fear.

But you have
to send the kids away.

I'll arrange for them
to go with the others.

Who'd have thought it?

A man should be spared war
when he's up in years.

We're too spread out.
We'd best hide on the island.

Don't you trust
in god's protection?

God helps those
who help themselves.

Yes, I've always felt
a man must rely on himself.

Lincoln's been too lenient.

The heathen pack should have
been driven off long ago.

The white man offered
the redskins the holy gospel,

and the redskins
answered with tomahawks.

Perhaps they'd have preferred
bread over bibles.

Try and swallow this.

Have this.

I thought I'd be able
to keep it this time.

Don't trouble yourself
about that now.

I was so sure
I'd be able to keep it.

Just as long
as you get well again.

You're not to worry.

I'll be well soon.

I know it.

They're ringing
the church bells on a weekday.

It sounds like it.

Why?

I was wondering that myself.

Perhaps it's for someone who's -

don't be afraid.

Remember what I told you?

Yes, I remember.

I know.

Is it morning already?

Yes, but it's still early.

It's so quiet.

Isn't anyone else up?

Are the children all asleep?

I think so.

I must have slept a long time.

Yes, a good while.

I dreamed I was swinging...

In the ox reins.

I was in the barn at home.

Would you like anything?

Just some water.

Thank you.

Dearest, you must lie still.

Kristina, lie still.

I'm not sick.

Just so very tired.

You don't have the strength.

You have to stay still.

You're still here.

I woke you up.

Was I moaning a lot?

No, not a sound.

I'm better now.

Are you sure?

You needn't sit up with me.

You can sleep tonight.

Look.

Your astrachans are ripe.

See here?

You have to taste our first apple.

It's the first apple from your tree.

Can you take a bite?

It's so smooth.

It's soft and ripe.

It smells good.

Can you take a bite?

Astrachans are refreshing.

Where did you get it?

From your tree outside.

It's the first apple from the tree.

Now I see it.

It's an astrachan!

That's right.

It tastes like our apples.

Our apples at home!

I recognize it!

Our astrachan apples...

Are ripe.

I'm home!

Stay!

The sioux uprising in Minnesota

was the largest Indian
war in north America.

A military tribunal sentenced
303 sioux warriors to death by hanging.

Despite strong protest, president
Lincoln granted a reprieve to 265.

The execution of the remaining 38

took place at mankato
on December 26, 1862.

“My beloved sister Lydia...

I can't get over Kristina"s death.

Our lord took her from me.

How can anyone expect me
to forgive god after this?”

Ljuder parish

“Here lies Kristina johansdotter
wife of Karl Oskar Nilsson

born at duvemala, Sweden 1825
died in north America 1862

we shall meet again”

“Chisago lake settlement,

center city, minnesola,
December 20, 1890.

Mrs. Lydia Karlsson,

akerby, ljuder parish, Sweden.

As am an old neighbor
of your brother Charles,

he asked me on several occasions

if I would write to his sister
n Sweden when he died.

Your brother's children
have forgotten their Swedish

and only write in english.

On their behalf
I herewith beg to inform you

that your brother left this life

on the evening
of last December 7.

At 8:30
he was up and had supper.

He washed himself
and combed his hair

and prepared himself
neatly for bed.

Thereupon he went to bed,
and at 11:00 his spirit was set free.

He died peacefully.

Your brother's family,
your affectionate kinsmen,

send you
their most heartfelt greetings.

I ask god to send down
upon my old native land

his blessing
and everlasting peace.

With best regards,
Axel j Andersson.”

Digitally restored in 2004
by svensk filmindustri

in collaboration with