Original subtitles

Yes, number 82.

God be with you.

Hello! Yes, this is Mikkel Borgen again.

Hasn't the doctor come back yet? Oh! You have.

Is that what he said? Then he should be here soon.

Who?

The mid-wife, yes, she's come,

but she doesn't dare anything until the doctor gets here.

Yes, she has asked us to bring in a large table.

Just a moment, there's a car coming now.

Yes, it's him, thank Heavens!

Yes, goodbye.

What? Yes, thanks very much.

Goodbye.

It's not going well with Inger.

Who says so?

The mid-wife.

Well, let's see how bad it is.

Think all of you

Come all of you

God's judgement will be salvation to all

Good night, brothers and sisters.

We'll meet again, God willing, in a week's time

in the Poor House in the name of Jesus.

Goodnight, my friend, goodnight.

Good evening, Anders. And welcome.

Can you go out and light up the stove, little Anne?

Sit down beside your father.

Thank you.

Good evening and welcome.

Thank you, Kirstine.

Would you like some coffee?

All right!

Will you fill your pipe?

Well, I don't mind.

And Anders?

No, thanks, not just now.

Bacon prices are rising, Peter.

Yes, eggs fell yesterday.

Have you many hens, Peter?

About as many as you have pigs, I imagine.

Ah! There's the coffee.

Isn't Anne coming in?

I don't think so.

Why not?

She'd better not.

I think it makes it easier for her to go the Lord's way.

There, father, you hear?

Then you can drink your coffee out in the kitchen.

All right. That is, if the... if you think it best.

You can do it anyhow.

The three of us will drink in the kitchen,

since you'll decide things here.

Look here, Peter, on the way over.

I've tried to see things from your point of view.

And what did you come up with?

That there's no reason for our children to suffer because

we two don't see eye to eye about religion.

Anne shall have one of our own faith.

We have no intention of taking God from her.

It's a waste of time talking about it.

You can't understand me.

What about you? Can you understand me?

I can understand you all right. I've been like you myself once.

But that was not enough for you.

You are right, Borgen, it was not enough for me.

I won't say anything against you and the others

but I can't stand you, I'm darned if I can.

What is it you can't stand about us?

First and foremost all your conversion rubbish.

And what else have you against us?

I can't stand your undertaker faces.

Yes, I've heard that before.

No, you, you have the bright, happy Christianity,

while we, we are the dark of soul and undertakers.

But since you are one of the bright and happy Christians,

why do you always look so miserable when one meets you?

I feel so free and glad,

because I know there is a place waiting for me in heaven.

And the rest of us, all the rest of us,

we go straight down to hell to eternal torments, don't we?

Yes, that's what you think, isn't it?

Yes. Words, words, you have them all right.

And the dead arose and began to speak,

and He gave him to his mother.

Would you like to see the picture?

It's a lovely picture.

You can see better over here, Anders.

Is there any more coffee?

Yes, Peter.

You take it in, Anne.

Oh! Is it you, little Anne, with the coffee pot?

Do you think I should have some more, Anne?

Yes.

Then just half a cup. Isn't your mother in the kitchen?

Yes, but Anders is also there.

Thank you, my girl, thank you.

Well, Peter, have you changed your mind?

What do you mean by that?

I mean about Anne and Anders.

No, I haven't. Not yet, anyhow.

Not yet?

Tell me, Morten, do you feel completely content with your God?

Yes, yes, of course I do.

Do you now, Morten?

What are you trying to get at, Peter?

You are not content, Morten. Come over to us.

Have you gone out of your mind?

Then you would get peace in your soul.

Never!

Morten, Morten, don't say that.

When you are only dust returned to dust it will be too late.

Come, come over to us.

I'll be blessed if I do.

Morten, Morten, the Lord is the God of miracles.

He has the power to redeem you from disbelief and delusions.

Disbelief and...

Disbelief and delusions.

You say that of my faith.

Do you know what the difference is between your faith and mine?

You think Christianity is sullenness and self-torment.

I think Christianity is the fullness of life.

My faith is for all day long and joy in life.

Yours is the longing for death.

My faith is the warmth of life. Yours is the coldness of death.

One day you will realize, Peter, that ours is the right way.

What is it really you are looking for?

We are looking for God and nothing else.

Well, it all sounds very nice, but nevertheless

we do not regard you as being either converted or believers,

so in my opinion...

In your opinion?

You are all lost.

In the opinion of Peter the tailor we'll all end in hell...

Anders, Anders.

Yes, father.

We are going home.

But... don't I get Anne?

No.

And I say "Yes", you shall have her, the devil strike me,

you will have her, even if I myself

have to drag her out of this prison house. Come along.

Father.

We are going now.

And goodnight, Peter the tailor.

Morten. Don't you see that the wrath of God is upon you?

I won't hear another word of that rubbish.

You won't hear me but you shall hear God.

You shall be tested still more.

Hello! Yes, it is. What?

No, not yet.

Yes, they are just leaving.

What?

Oh, really!

Well, goodnight. I hope she soon gets better.

What is it? What did you mean by "hope she soon gets better"?

Truly we live in an age of miracles.

What do you mean by that?

Just as I tell you you are to be tested still more,

your son, Mikkel, calls.

And what then?

And tells me that Inger is dangerously ill.

Inger? Then it must be the child.

No, it was something unusual, so far as I understood.

Then I must hurry.

I earnestly hope that the Lord will reach your heart this time,

however hard He has to strike.

What is it you are saying? God help me,

I believe you actually hope my daughter-in-law will die.

Yes. If there is no other way,

then I hope it in the name of the Lord.

You do, do you?

Don't, Morten, don't, I tell you.

Do you know what the answer is to that?

- No, don't! - This is the only answer!

Father, control yourself.

There are witnesses. Even if you are the mighty Morten,

others also have their rights.

Go to hell.

I won't get in your way...

swine of a landowner.

Are they labor pains?

Yes, definitely.

Inger.

You can get the anaesthetic.

Yes, doctor.

Borgen, will you hold the lamp?

What was that? What has happened?

It's nothing. She will come to shortly.

How is the pulse?

Not too good.

Remove the mask.

Come give me a hand.

Let's listen to the heartbeat.

It's a bit rapid.

Is the child alive?

Yes, so far. But we must get it over with.

Will she pull through?

You mustn't disturb me... bring the lamp a bit closer...

now, put down the lamp and get me a pail.

How big? Like that?

How's it going?

Karen, run out and get that little pail

my wife bought last week.

I see the doctor is here. Isn't the mid-wife?

They are both here.

Is it the child?

It's lying wrong.

And Inger?

We must be thankful if her life can be saved.

Here you are.

Is it serious, father?

We're in for a busy night, Anders.

Are we?

Yes, praying.

Yes, father. Both for Anne and for Inger.

For Inger. Anne, that will clear itself up.

Go to bed now, and trust in God.

Shouldn't we pray together, father?

Little Anders, when it's really serious I pray best alone.

God's will be done!

Then came our Lord Himself, with His scythe and His hour-glass.

Yes, Johannes, yes.

Why art thou afraid. Oh! Thou of little faith?

I have not yet ascended unto my father.

Keep quiet, Johannes.

But in His native village He performed no great works,

because they did not believe in Him.

Go to your room. Go to bed.

Well, Mikkel?

The child has come.

Was it a boy, as Inger promised me?

Yes. It was a boy.

There, you see, the Lord does not fail...

He's lying there, in the pail, cut into four pieces.

Oh! Mikkel, if only you could pray to God.

You can do that, father.

What are you doing now, Johannes?

Didn't you see Him?

Whom?

The Lord.

The Lord?

With the hour-glass and the scythe. He took the child away.

If you had believed in me, this would not have happened.

Now I am powerless.

Oh God! Oh God!

How great must your need be before you listen to me?

Little Johannes, if you want to do your old father a favor,

go to your room.

Look, look.

What shall I look at?

Can't you see Him? He's standing there.

Who?

The man with the scythe, he has come back... to fetch Inger.

Keep quiet, man.

You still do not heed me.

Johannes... no, no, this is madness and yet...

what is madness and what is reason?

You are drawing nearer to God, it will cost you but one word.

No, no, no... go away.

You are seeking grapes on thorn bushes.

The vines you pass by...

Go away, I tell you, or you will make me mad, too.

Granddad.

What! Not in bed yet, little Maren?

Yes, I am.

But...

You spoke so loud, granddad.

Oh, did I wake you up?

Yes, we have moved.

Moved?

Our beds have been put into your room. Do you know why?

No.

Because we are expecting a little brother.

Who has told you that?

Mother.

Were you pleased about that?

I would rather have had a little sister,

but mother said she had promised you a little brother.

Did she say that?

Yes. And then just think, she goes and gets ill like this.

Yes, so our Lord has decided

not to send the little brother just yet.

Has He?

Yes, and now you can go in.

And pray to God to make your mother better again.

Yes, but He won't do that.

He won't?

No, she's going to die tonight.

What's that? What did you say?

Uncle Johannes says so. And then he'll call her back to life

just like the man in the Bible, you know.

What rubbish is this?

That's what Uncle says.

Oh! Well,

but now you'd better go and tuck yourself in bed, little Maren.

Yes, granddad.

Goodnight, sweetheart.

Goodnight, granddad.

I can't bear to be in there.

Be strong, my boy.

I can see the way it's going.

The way it's going?

Father!

Yes.

I won't bear to lose her.

You won't lose her, Mikkel. God will. God will.

Father.

Yes.

If Inger dies...

Will you promise me that you will live until

Anders and Anne are married, so that the children have a home?

It must not happen. Oh! God! Don't take Inger from us.

Let's go in to her. I'll come with you.

You are strong, old father.

Yes... but I am holding on to God's hand. Come.

Uncle, will mother die soon?

Do you want her to, little girl?

Yes, because then you'll bring her back to life, won't you?

Lt'll probably come to nothing.

Why not?

The others won't allow me to.

Then what about mother?

Then mother will go to heaven.

But I don't like that at all.

Little girl,

you don't know what it's like to have a mother in Heaven.

Is it better than having her here on earth?

You can see that for yourself.

But what nonsense!

If we get into trouble, we won't have a mother to look after us.

A child that has a mother in Heaven doesn't get into trouble.

When one's mother is dead, she is always with you.

As she is when she is alive.

But then she has so many other things to think about.

Yes, she has to milk and scrub the floors and wash up.

The dead don't have to do all that.

No.

I'd rather have you awaken her, Uncle.

Would you?

Yes, so that we could keep her.

Child.

Won't you awaken her?

If the others will allow me, I will.

Don't you bother about the others.

How happy I am.

Are you?

Yes. Will you come tuck me in?

Yes, and I will let one of my Father's angels

keep watch beside your bed tonight.

Will you give us your blessings, as you usually do?

Yes, I will.

And he took the little children

to His bosom.

Laid His hands upon them and blessed them.

God, do not send death to us.

Look now, Borgen.

Don't say it, Doctor.

It's all over.

What? No.

She's asleep, and with any luck there won't be any complications.

Eternal thanks and praise.

Yes, it was a tough job.

It certainly was, Doctor. And many thanks.

And now we want lots of coffee.

Yes, indeed, we certainly do.

Karen, Karen, we must have...

Inger's getting better, she's getting over it.

We must have coffee, coffee, from real coffee beans.

Doctor, may I go and have a look at her?

Yes, if you are quiet about it.

Very quiet.

Good evening.

Good evening, Reverend, and welcome again.

Thank you, thank you.

Do you know?

Yes, I know both the doctor and his car.

That was what made me look in.

I wanted to hear what was happening.

Good evening, Doctor.

It was kind of you. You see, my son's wife... she was,

she had to...

Yes, she was expecting, wasn't she?

The child died, but she pulled through.

I see.

Now take off your coat, Reverend.

There's some coffee coming in a minute, and then we...

Thanks, but I've got to be getting home.

You can drive with... with... with the doctor.

Yes, of course.

Yes, sit down now. I'll just take a peep in there.

She's sleeping like one of God's angels. Here you are, doctor.

Thank you.

It's like a miracle.

You must pardon me, my good Borgen.

I don't want to hurt your religious feelings,

but now that it's turned out all right, allow me

to tease you a little.

Which do you think helped most this evening,

your prayers or my treatment?

God's blessing, my dear doctor.

Ora et labora, as the old monks used to say.

Perhaps you believe in miracles, Reverend.

Believe? Naturally miracles are possible, since God

is the creator of everything and everything

is therefore possible to Him,

- But... - But?

On the other hand, even though God can perform miracles,

- He does not do so. - And why not?

Because miracles would break the laws of nature,

and naturally God does not break His own laws.

But what about the miracle of Christ?

Those were under special circumstances.

I see. That is to say "Under special circumstances"

your otherwise so reliable God can throw a hitch into the works.

Come on, my good pastor!

That's the trouble with doctors.

They always believe in what's least worth believing.

There you go, Doctor.

The Lord be with you. The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord let the light of His countenance shine upon you

and give you grace.

The Lord let the light of His countenance upon you

and give you peace. Amen.

What was that?

That was Johannes giving his blessing to the little children.

I see.

Yes. You know, Reverend... Well, you saw him, didn't you?

Excuse me, but don't you think...

I mean, wouldn't he be better off in a home?

My boy stays here with me so long as I am at Borgen's Farm.

Johannes will get better all right.

Do you think so?

Just wait until he runs against a psychic shock, which

will turn upside down that bag of tricks we call the subconscious.

You think he can be as he was before?

Yes, just as he was before...

There you are, Reverend, you see,

the doctor also believes in miracles.

I believe in those miracles which my science has taught me.

God grant it may happen.

Yes, we hope so, Borgen.

I'll have a look at the patient and then we'll be off.

I'm ready.

Dear Borgen, my heartiest congratulations.

Thank you very much, Reverend.

Aren't you grateful for what God has done for you here tonight?

You can be sure I am, Reverend.

It has been a difficult time.

It certainly has. And yet I would not have missed it.

I can also understand that.

Thank you.

Well, Doctor?

She's sleeping as she should.

Now you can just go to bed.

Goodnight.

And the thanks of Borgen's Farm for this night's work.

Karen, send two geese over to the doctor at Christmas.

I am not a vet... They will die under my treatment.

Coming along?

Yes, yes. Goodnight, Borgen.

How is it going with Inger?

Well, Anders, better than could have been expected.

That's fine.

There he is again, the man with the hour-glass,

he has come back to fetch Inger.

Johannes, go to your bed.

Look, now he's going through the wall.

Those are the doctor's car lights.

Inger is asleep now.

There is no longer any danger for her life.

Listen - it's the scythe - he missed his stroke.

That is the doctor, he's backing his car out.

Stop, will you, come back, do you hear?

You must. He will not. Then go.

In the hour of faith you will have to bring her back.

Listen, now, Johannes, that's enough of that.

Now she is dead.

What?

Suddenly, she drifted away in her sleep.

Inger dead? You're lying. Now you are lying.

It's your nerves.

But the doctor was just in there with her.

Come see for yourselves.

I felt her grow stiff in my arms.

I saw her lips turn blue and her eyes glaze over.

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.

The Lord's name be praised.

Shouldn't we call the doctor?

If you think he can deal with death, then call for him, Anders.

Inger.

No, he left from here a short time ago.

Yes. Will you tell him... will you tell him that...

that she has just died... Inger.

Thank you. Goodbye.

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.

She is not dead, she is sleeping.

Do you think so? Would you like to see her sleeping?

Show me where you have laid her.

If you have faith, you shall see the glory of God.

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.

I, the Christ, have come from God,

and with God shall I remain

among the clouds of Heaven.

Anders! Anders!

Is he dead?

No, father, these are not the ones who die.

Not even that much mercy has been granted us.

Mikkel, my boy.

Why did she have to die?

Why should we be torn from each other?

It is all so meaningless, so meaningless.

Mikkel, you know why.

What do I know? I only know that

everything I loved and worshipped

is now to be buried in the earth to rot, to rot and rot.

Death certificate: Name: Inger Borgen, House-wife

Date of Death: 13 August 1925

Register of the Parish of Husby C.J. Houen - 8/14/1925

Yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me.

Whither I go, ye cannot come (St. John Xlll. 33)

Johannes!

My faithful wife and our beloved mother INGER BORGEN born Kjar

has been taken from us MIKKEL BORGEN,

Maren, Little Inger.

Our dearly beloved daughter-in-law and sister-in-law

INGER BORGEN has gone to eternal rest in steadfast faith

in her divine Savior JESUS CHRIST,

deeply missed by all at Borgen's Farm.

Morten Borgen Anders Borgen

But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you,

and pray for those who spitefully use you.

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek

offer him also the other.

It is time to go, if we're going to get seats in church.

Yes, Kirstine.

Do you remember when Morten Borgen came here?

Yes. Why?

I offended him greatly.

It seems to me it was Morten Borgen that offended.

That's possible, but my offense was greater.

Kirstine, I should have turned the other cheek.

Aren't you a little hard on yourself?

No, remember the words of Christ, "What will you in church?

"Be reconciled to thy brother, then come and offer thy gift."

Well, we'd better be going. We must call at Borgen's Farm.

Aren't we going to church?

No, we're going to the Borgen's Farm. Are you ready, Anne?

Yes, father.

Inger Borgen, born Kjar.

Born 24 January, 1896 died 13 August, 1925

Blessed be he that hath peace in his soul

None knoweth the day, before the sun goeth down

Good morning, good morning, sings the bird on the bough

It saw the evening sun behind the prison wall

At dawn the flowers curtsied sweet-scented

By evening they lay crushed under a storm of hail

Small children played often in the red glow of morning

By evening they lay on the coffin still and dead

lt'll be a large procession, father.

Yes.

The reverend will soon be here.

Yes.

We'll have to let them finish

with their coffee-drinking in there.

Yes.

Well, Inger, we must put the lid over you.

Mikkel! Father!

Mikkel, let the parson say a prayer first.

Yes, yes. We'll send her away with full honors.

Ah! Here comes the parson. Shall we let the spectators in?

Mikkel, you'll kill me.

All right. We'll wait.

Good morning, Borgen. There she is.

I suppose some good must come of it.

Otherwise it would not have happened.

Those were the words of faith.

Good morning, Borgen.

Remember, Mikkel Borgen,

that even in pain there is beauty.

Yes. And all that beauty, Doctor,

it's so frightfully important.

Any news of Johannes?

We've looked everywhere for him,

no one has seen or heard anything of him.

Then we must be prepared for the worst.

God grant he may have found peace.

Shall I let them in?

May I say a few words?

Death is the gateway to eternity, and the young woman,

who lies here has passed through, before her dear ones.

We are mourning because we think of our grief and loss,

for truly there is no need to mourn on her behalf.

Therefore, be grateful for your memories,

your bright, happy memories,

of the days that have passed by, and the bright hope

you have for her in the life that is to come.

To you, Mikkel Borgen, I would say, if you can live your life

in the memory of her, and can bring up your children,

so that she would be glad if she could see it,

then you two, who loved one another,

shall again be re-united, never to be separated again.

Shall we say The Lord's Prayer in silence?

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend, for your kind words.

No need to thank me.

Father, look.

Peter, have you come here?

You must forgive me for intruding on you, Morten Borgen

will you take my hand?

But it was I who struck you.

It was I who forgot the words of Our Savior.

I have prayed to Him for forgiveness.

You must do the same, Morten.

It is all so unimportant now.

No, it is not, for I have something to say here,

beside this coffin, something you must all know

before Inger is carried away.

I know you mean well, Peter, but enough has been said here

I'm coming to what I have to say

that Inger's place shall not stand empty.

Anne, come here.

Is Anne with you, Peter?

Here she is.

Only God can reward you for this.

Now she belongs to you all.

Anne.

Now I have only my Savior left, and Him I shall never give up.

Oh! Peter, it warms my heart.

Be gentle with her up here.

You shall be the sunshine in all our lives, Anne.

Thank you, Anders.

Inger.

Oh! Thank God, now the tears have come.

Karen, come.

Now we'll come to the end.

Goodbye, Inger.

Thank you for everything, for everything was good.

We shall soon meet again. Yes, Mikkel, there's another meeting.

Goodbye, Inger. God rest your soul.

Say goodbye to your mother.

Goodbye, mother.

She doesn't understand any of this. She is too little.

And the rest of us, we don't understand any of it either.

That is so true, Borgen.

Goodbye, Inger and thank you.

Anders, the lid.

No, you must not take her. You must not separate us.

No! Mikkel, no!

There now, Mikkel, her soul is with God.

It is not here, you can see that.

Her body is here. I loved her body also.

Be strong, say your "Goodbye." You are a son of Borgen's Farm.

Goodbye, little sweetheart.

Goodbye, my little girl.

Johannes!

Yes, father.

Father? You say, father? Your eyes are as they were before

You have found your wits again, Johannes.

Yes, I have found my wits again.

Not one of you has had the idea

of asking God to give Inger back to you again.

Johannes, now you are blaspheming God.

No, all of you blaspheme God with your lukewarm faith.

If you had prayed to God, He'd have listened to your prayers.

What is all this?

Standing here and shouting over my wife's dead body.

My brother...

why is there not one among these believers who believe.

Inger, you must rot, because the times are rotten.

Put the lid on.

Hurry, now, uncle.

The child...

the child...

the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Hurry up now.

Do you believe I can do it?

Yes, uncle.

Thy faith is great, thy will shall be done...

Look now at your mother.

When I say the name of Jesus she will arise.

Hear me, thou who art dead.

He's crazy.

Is it crazy to wish to rescue life?

Johannes!

Trust in God.

Jesus Christ, if it is possible,

then give her leave to come back to life, give me the Word,

the word that can make the dead come to life.

Inger,

in the name of Jesus Christ, I bid thee...

arise!

Inger...

Little Inger girl.

Morten, it is the God of old

the God of Elijah, eternal and the same.

Yes, eternal and the same.

The child.

Is it alive?

Yes, Inger.

It lives at home with God.

With God?

With God?

Yes, Inger. I have found your faith.

Now life begins for us.

Life, yes...

Life.

Yes.

Life.