Original subtitles

In Germany, however, the dance is now lead by Adolf Hitler.

Here he is, just after taking power-

-with, among others, former Reichskanzler Franz von Papen.

And also, the flying ace Hermann Göring.

That Hitler is an...

...insult.

"NO HUMAN BEING CAN WITHSTAND CLOSE SCRUTINY" - TORGNY SEGERSTEDT

FEBRUARY 1933

TORGNY SEGERSTEDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

-A declaration of war. -Yes.

-Am I interrupting? -Hello, Maja.

Hello.

-Torgny has declared war, darling. -On us?

No, this time we're on the same side, all three of us.

Let me hear it.

"That Hitler is an insult."

"It is an insult to all sense to force such a leader on a great people."

"This is a matter not only for Germany."

"Germany is not an isolated island in the ocean."

"It is right in the middle of Europe."

"To force the world to expend effort on this character is inexcusable."

"Herr Hitler is an insult."

-Pirjo, are all the glasses out? -There are three at each seat, ma'am.

They're wine glasses. White, red and Madeira.

-Madeira or Port. -Yes. We need room for water glasses.

-Who set this table? -You, Ma'am, with Hilda and me.

-I see. Hilda? Where is Hilda? -In the kitchen, I believe.

Hilda! Are the seating cards correct at least?

Countess Hamilton, Dr. Mannheimer...

No, no! Mrs. Forssman. How did she end up next to the professor?

-Oh, I thought... -No, the countess sits there.

-You called, ma'am? -No. Yes, yes! Glasses.

-Water glasses are missing. -Go get them.

It's like something happened to the table setting.

My husband gets so angry. Oh my! I'm so sorry! What am I doing?

We'll sweep it up, ma'am.

-Rich people are crazy. -Grief made her ill.

Their oldest son died when he was thirteen.

Tetanus.

-You seem upbeat. -It's the spring, Puste.

-Are you looking forward to it? -What?

The party.

-I'm a little tired. -Then go lie down.

The sleeper does not sin.

As you should know, since you hardly ever sleep.

...but the truth, to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

There are moments in your life... I've experienced a few of them.

...when the truth can seem to be excruciating.

Something that you cannot utter because of human concerns.

That's more about the personal, that which is private.

But if we don't speak openly about the crimes-

-currently being committed under Nazi rule in Germany-

-we are not only hostages to the lie, but its promoters.

And we're guilty not only of high treason-

-but of throwing every honest man and woman to the tyrants and oppressors.

Maybe these words are too grand for such a festive occasion.

And I'm sure some say to themselves that the truth doesn't look like that.

It's all far away, it will pass and it does not concern us.

But the truth is that if you dine with the Devil-

-you want to have a long spoon.

However, if you hand him just a hint of your little finger-

-he'll take the arm, chest, face, wig and soul as well.

And as far as that goes, the Devil is synonymous with Adolf Hitler.

He is also a devourer of human beings.

But, my friends, do not fear. Here comes the duck.

-Bon appétit. -A toast.

The paper has a differing opinion.

It's not a matter of money and politics. It's a matter of morals.

-Handelstidningen versus Hitler. -Exactly.

The Germans will see sense as their economy grows.

-But there will be war. -Torgny...

One of my German friends has asked me to try to get a big Swedish paper-

-to write something about the harassment of Jews in Germany.

We have excellent Jews in Sweden.

That is not the case in Germany.

But if the Jews were to be exterminated there-

-the country would lose significant goodwill.

Which would almost certainly mean that no foreign debtors-

-would have any of their debts repaid.

Luckily, I am not related to any of them, District Judge Wallenberg.

The Germans, I mean.

Because there's nothing wrong with my profile, is there?

-Definitely not. -What do you say?

Mrs. Segerstedt, you're sitting all alone.

I'm just collecting myself.

-It's a big show to be a part of. -Yes.

My husband is fond of socializing. He's so gregarious.

We've switched roles over time, my husband and I.

But you were once a celebrated actress, weren't you?

Yes. But now I am only a widow.

I'm sorry. I'm so thoughtless.

That must have been terrible for you.

-It was. -Yes.

Can we address each other by our first names? I'm Puste.

-Anita. -Anita.

Everyone admires your husband.

Everyone?

-Yes, according to my sister-in-law. -Yes, she should know.

-Who is that? -My mother.

I was eight when she died. - Maja?

It's just like you.

What's the matter, mother?

What does she have that I don't have?

A newspaper, mother.

Mother?

-Did you call for me? -No.

I thought I heard something.

What did you want?

"The truth. Nothing but the truth."

The evening was a success, wasn't it?

Everyone must have thought her the hostess.

You could have made an effort.

-Maybe sung and danced. -Perish the thought.

Hello!

Professor! Telegram.

"Ich protestiere auf schärfste gegen die in ihre Zeitung..."

"I strongly protest the column in your newspaper of Friday, February 3rd-"

"-under the heading 'Today'-"

"-statements about our Reichskanzler-"

"-as a great danger to friendship and kindness between our peoples."

"Before further measures are taken-"

"-I would like to be informed how your editorial staff-"

"-will handle such statements in the future."

"Before further measures are taken"?

From Hermann Göring, Reichsminister. Morphine addict and murderer.

I thought it a practical joke, but it has been verified from Hamburg.

No! We want this framed and hung on the wall.

Tomorrow, we'll be quoted on all front pages, from DN to The Times.

-A toast! -Toast.

Our proud knight.

-All that's missing is the horse. -He has the lance.

Touché, mon chéri.

Göring!

-I think you should change this tie. -No.

Yes.

Are you going?

-Mother, it isn't true. -I'm just saying what's been said.

-And they're our friends? -They have a right to their opinion.

They said nothing bad about Jews, only that the ones in Berlin...

-Are scum? -No...

They're not as cultured as the ones we have here.

How can you be so naïve, mother?

Take Maja Forssman, for example. Now there's a cultured woman.

And a Jewess.

Maybe I am naïve, but it was certainly a good lunch.

I am happy for our friends.

-Are you happy for them, Torgny? -Yes, god damn it.

And some of them claimed that Hermann Göring is a lovely man.

Charming.

-Imagine that, all of us together. -I leave tomorrow.

But I'm staying for a while, mother.

Mother?

-Good day, Ida. -Good day, counselor.

-Oh, are you here? -As you can see.

You're always welcome, dear friend.

Well... Work is calling. I'll see you later, Axel.

Our Berlin correspondent has been sent home.

-Göring. -Yes. We're two points ahead.

Yes, but that's hardly in our interests.

"Herr Hitler is a loudmouth, an insult. He bays for the crowds:"

"Criminals, cavemen, murderers, arsonists, psychopaths."

So far, I am with you. But it's a different matter when you claim-

-that Göring was in a Swedish mental ward. That could affect the paper.

-I hope your back is covered. -In double layers. You needn't worry.

Axel, why don't you two get a divorce?

Why?

Can you give me one reason, Torgny, why Maja and I should get divorced?

And what does Puste say?

That she thinks that I will be coming back.

Although God knows I've done my best to change her thinking.

-And Maja...? -She says the same as you, "Why?".

There you go. The perfect marriage.

Speaking of which, there was a fire in the Reichstag in Berlin tonight.

Thursday? Was that what you said? Both my men are free on Thursday.

If you have expensive jewelry, it shouldn't be hidden, but worn.

In front of everyone? Was that at Torgny's insistence or yours?

He has a moral view of immorality.

And I always thought you were open-minded, Anita.

I've kicked my legs in a variety show, that doesn't mean I lack morals.

-And Axel? -I love Axel and he loves me.

-May I serve you ladies more tea? -Thank you, my dear.

No, thank you.

I take what I want, Anita.

That's one way my brother and I were quite similar.

-When it didn't go his way, he gave up. -Yes, suicide.

Dusk is falling all over the world. It is a struggle of life and death.

For or against freedom and justice.

For or against everything poets and dreamers have given us.

For or against the eternal humanity of mankind.

Dear Per-Albin, it is damned decent of the Prime Minister-

-to make the sacrifice of visiting the Politics Club.

I'm sure we differ on many points.

But as a wise man said: "disagreements are strengthening". A warm welcome.

It is wise for a majority to sometimes listen to the opinion of the minority.

In a democratic society you cannot get results-

-unless you manage to solve the problems together.

Look at Germany. A man like Hitler...

For him, there will come a day-

-when bitterness will cast away the regime of violence.

-Do you want your tea? -Yes, please.

-I thought you were coming. -Just put the tray down.

-What are you writing? -The usual.

And that couldn't wait?

Hello. Come here. Look who it is!

Lie down. Lie down.

Sometimes I wish you were more like you write, Torgny.

You look tired. Drink your tea.

Sometimes I don't even think you like me.

Two minutes. Fifteen minutes. Part of an afternoon.

You can't even give me that much.

Puste, that's not true, and you know it.

-I also know nothing is as it was. -How in Heaven's name could it be?

-After all these years? -Abbe!

-Our son would have been 27 today. -Be quiet!

-We've been quiet 14 years, Torgny! -Yes!

Why don't you come to me?

Are you impotent?

-Impotent? -Yes? Are you incapable?

Yes, maybe I am.

But maybe only when I am with you.

-Damn you! What did you do? -I burned your dog.

I scalded your stupid dog!

Seventeen years ago.

And it took three persuasion attempts to get our professor-

-to understand what was good for him, to pack his bags and move westwards.

To breathe new life into our hidebound circle.

And the matching newspaper.

And we also received a fresh breeze-

-from our brother nation to the west...

A "puste", a wind, from the Norwegian alps.

That is thanks to Torgny's good taste and judgment.

I have certainly heard, Puste, how you once upon a time-

-breathed new life into the young and terribly shy theologian.

I declare a toast. A toast to our guests of honor.

Puste and Torgny. Welcome, my friends.

Ladies and gentlemen! Time for music! Welcome.

Time for music.

"Spring" by Grieg!

What if we could hear that beautiful Norwegian language sung as well?

Puste? Won't you give us that joy? Come now, Puste.

Puste! Come now.

The thought of my thought Is concentrated on you

You are my heart's first love

I love you Like no one else on Earth

I love you I love you

I love you For time immemorial

I love you

For time immemorial

Music, Maestro! Music!

You seem to have surprised many a person with your lovely performance.

-He tells me you are ill. -Yes. I am ill.

-What ails you? -You're always so direct!

-I feel some responsibility. -You'll have to explain that to me.

You don't like my directness. I know nothing else.

Then I will explain what ails me.

It is my husband that ails me.

Well... Then I must end our relationship.

Do you hear what you're saying? You'll do this and do that.

If it's as you say, my husband has something to say about it as well.

-We are in a mutual struggle. -Yes.

You two have your Hitler. What do I have?

Mother?

Two women. Can you have two women at the same time?

Three. You are always with me now, Mother.

And now you want everything.

-Power, riches, women. -Yes.

Your father. You are just like your father.

-You deceive yourself. -I thought I was deceiving others.

Was it too difficult for you?

Maja... Don't.

Have you ever read Van de Velde's "The Perfect Marriage", Axel?

-I find that to be an odd question. -Really?

Why would I read about it when I'm living it?

-That, however, was an odd reaction. -Is it even a marriage?

-Or did you only marry my money? -Now you're being vulgar.

Which Jewish upper-class women never are.

We usually don't talk to each other like this.

No.

I guess it was overdue.

Will you give me a cigarette?

Thank you.

Do you want a light as well?

Why are you so aggressive?

Without me, you would never have had him.

Good night, Axel Forssman.

MAJA AGE 16

-Where are you going? -Away.

-I am so cold. -Where are you going, Mother?

To Norway. I must go home.

Home?

When will you be back?

How could you just let her leave, Father?

-What if she doesn't come back? -Why wouldn't she?

Because... Because you don't care about her.

Ingrid, you don't understand.

What don't I understand? That you treat her like air?

Everyone knows that.

How did it turn out this way? Ever since we moved to Gothenburg.

You are not yourself, Father.

We used to be a family.

Don't you see what she has done? To Mother. To you.

To us.

And Abbe...

Why were we never allowed to mourn him? Or even mention him?

I don't understand. I don't understand.

"If a woman has a good man, you can probably see it in her face."

"The wife is to the husband what the husband has made her."

"How long do you stay young?"

-As long as you are loved. -Yes.

-When will she be back? -I don't know if she is coming back.

I'm sure she is.

So that she can sit here, waiting for you to come back. Will you?

Will you?

Now do you understand why I'll never leave Axel?

I could never share you with your dogs.

THE ORIGINS OF POLYTHEISM ACADEMIC THESIS

Hi there! Hello.

It's your father's. He wore it the first time we met.

Berlin, 1898.

Mothballs...

We were engaged for seven years before we could afford to marry.

Right? My beloved husband.

So your little storm cloud had time to calm down a bit.

Besides, your taste in clothes has changed since then.

Take it off.

You're the one with a bright future, candidate Segerstedt.

The others have already lagged behind.

Hello. Please sit down.

"On the Origins of Polytheism".

Allow me to congratulate you on your thesis, candidate Segerstedt.

But I failed. You know that, Professor.

The enemy showed his face clearly. That's something to be grateful for.

-It's like the Devil... -I don't believe in the Devil.

But if you see him anyway, look him straight in the eyes.

I think... I think I have lost my faith.

There is so much inside me that I am not happy with.

-Maybe evil is just a metaphor. -Nonsense.

-Evil is a fact. Evil is tangible. -But how do you recognize it?

Listen to the birds. Is there anything more beautiful?

-I love nature. -Then listen to the blackbird sing...

...and let your doubt go. Nothing is more beautiful.

Damn!

Puste!

Pu...

Puste!

Puste...

You knew that my heart was weak, and not just for you.

Berlin, 1898. Do you remember?

You thought I was terrible, didn't you?

The young theologian was horrified by the promiscuous Norwegian girl.

-Well... That passed, didn't it? -Yes.

You should thank me. For having taught you.

I made you read Ibsen and Strindberg.

Not just Luther and church elders.

I'm an atheist because of you.

But lack of love will lead to death, Torgny.

I never said that I didn't love you.

I kept quiet because I loved you.

You locked me into your care, which I did not want.

-So, it's all my fault? -You're damned right it is.

At least you're mine now. You won't be rid of me.

Pirjo! There are no water glasses here!

Not that I think they will be used.

Beer and aquavit. Our prime minister is a man of the people.

Sometimes, I think our dear professor wishes he was as well.

Memento mori. Never forget that you are mortal.

Of course she's having the Prime Minister for dinner.

She seems to think she's the mistress of the house.

-You do know Per-Albin has a lover too? -Good Lord.

How is your love doing today?

Does she still love you?

A toast! A toast, dear Prime Minister.

You are a breakwater, to both the left and the right.

A toast!

How is your Hitler doing today? Will there be war?

There is a war, Mannheimer.

The unification of Germanic countries Germany and Austria is now complete.

German troops crossed the border in several spots.

These are artillery and cavalry units at the border town of Kufstein.

The youths know the Hitler salute without practicing.

Their elders quickly followed suit.

Swastika flags must have been waiting in storage and were a common sight.

TO THE JEWESS MRS. FORSMAN

I don't want this anymore.

Dagens Nyheter has Torgny on its front page today.

They published the entire speech. Should I read it to you?

Yes.

"German Jews are currently heading for Germany's borders in large numbers-"

"-in the hopes of reaching other nations."

"They are met there by guards with bayonets lowered."

"We are responsible for what we say about what happens in another nation."

"But we are also responsible for what we do not say."

"We still have a free press, and must understand and value what that means."

You once said that there were those who wished that I would get to die.

-Do you remember that? -I have said no such thing!

Oh, yes.

Well, I understand them.

But you must understand that I hoped as well.

Professor Segerstedt's residence. Excuse me?

Herr Hitler? No, you must have misdialed.

This is Segerstedt.

You want to kill me? Interesting.

Listen...let's do it this way.

Come over to my house. We can have some booze, and then you can kill me.

Are we agreed? Good. Then I will see you here.

Thank you for the kindness. Goodbye.

-You invited a murderer for booze? -Why not? I wouldn't mind some booze.

-Heavens. -Pirjo...

Murderers don't announce themselves by phone.

They come from behind when least expected.

Besides, we have our dogs.

-Have you seen Sören, by the way? -No.

Sören!

Sören!

Sören!

Strychnine is my guess.

-You should speak to the police. -Yes...

And you should take care what you eat from now on.

Adolf Hitler's birthday is performed with much pomp and noise.

Plate-lickers, sycophants....

"...and opportunists celebrate him."

"Behind them marches another group with battalions in the thousands."

"Those who have been killed in prisons and concentration camps."

"In the periphery, yet another group, this one in the millions."

"This is all those who will give their lives in the war..." - Thank you, Ida.

"...who will give their lives in the war which comes ever closer."

"The war that will be Hitler's crowning achievement."

"It is coming inevitably, predestined."

"It is coming rapidly, like the dark clouds of a storm."

Stockholm-Motala. Prime Minister Per-Albin Hansson will speak.

Citizens, that terrible thing-

-that we kept hoping the world would be spared-

-has happened. Another great war has begun.

We must accept this sad fact, and it makes little sense-

-to try and put into words the sorrow and fear we are experiencing.

Now we Swedes have to quietly and confidently unite-

-in the great task of keeping our nation out of the war.

To care for and promote our inalienable national strengths.

-What do you want? -Estrid Ancker, your new secretary.

Just come on in. Sit down, do you have paper and a pen?

-Does the Professor want me to... -No, Torgny. First name terms here.

Idun... You used to work at Idun.

As a fashion writer, I assume.

-From Scania? -Lund.

Why do you want to work with us? Quiet, Winston!

Sorry, he is just a puppy.

You were right! It's terrible.

May I introduce Estrid Ancker, my new secretary?

Mrs. Maja Forssman. You look in ridiculously good health.

And so, lightning struck from out of the clouds-

-and the thunder rolled around the world.

Those who tell this story in the future will also be able to say how it ended.

Most of us, who sit now, with bated breath-

-watching every event like a quivering droplet waiting to fall-

-will then be sleeping eternally in the embrace of Mother Earth-

-who once gave birth to such a calamitous race.

We will be gone, and the next generation-

-has inherited the burden of being human.

The inheritance both cursed and blessed.

At 4 PM, an extra news transmission from the telegraph news agency.

The Finnish president, in maintaining national defenses and general order-

-has declared Finland to be in a state of war.

Field Marshal Mannerheim is now commander-in-chief of Finnish troops.

As mentioned earlier, Russian troops have crossed the Finnish border-

-and Russian planes have bombed Helsinki, Vyborg and Enso.

Helsinki has been the target of several air strikes.

"No one can deny that Sweden's position-"

"-is affected by the Russian attack on Finland."

"Only dust-covered bureaucrats could think that nothing terrible happens-"

"-to one who cowers and quietly, with frightened eyes-"

"-watches the powerful run amuck."

"There comes a point where the shadow-boxing of diplomacy-"

"-just feels humiliating."

I've written him. My first task here, actually.

You were good friends before you became a shadow-boxer.

He hoped for a government position, once upon a time.

Foreign Minister.

The frustration shines through in everything he writes.

Now you're the Foreign Minister. You need to rein in your old friend.

FOREIGN MINISTRY

"Traitor", "Jew lackey", the epithets vary.

And Günther asks Segerstedt to stop his writings.

Germans have gotten the impression that this country is populated by sops-

-with whom they can do as they please.

"...sops with whom they can do as they please."

"Our government composes little notes for waste paper baskets in Berlin."

"And the State Information Authority pesters Swedish press-"

"-with exhortations to keep silent about this and about that."

I am here with great apprehension. Segerstedt is my close friend.

But we are surrounded by angry waves and need to guide our way through them.

Or we run the risk that we, just like Poland-

-are split between Russia and Germany.

Or to be "protected" by Germany.

Targeted procedures might be a solution.

"Targeted procedures"?

Is it better to live on your knees than to die standing?

-It's wonderful. -A toast.

Axel will answer upstairs.

Here we go again.

It's a confiscation, I believe.

The Freedom of the Press Act from 1812! "Imbroglio with a foreign power"! Damn!

But it scares advertisers, ruining our economy-

-and we can't fire our workers!

If Torgny keeps doing this, he will ruin the paper!

Axel? Calm down and have a brandy, or something.

"Within command of language and thought-"

"-I have worked to alert Swedes to the dangers-"

"-presented by the close agitation of a foreign power."

"The importance of this struggle is proven by attempts to silence..."

-I can't see a damn thing. -See nothing, hear nothing.

That's how they want it.

-For the blackout. -Ah, you're from Günther and Per-Albin.

No, we're from Larsson's Furniture. Maybe we should come back later?

No, I suggest you start in the Chief Editor's office.

That's where the most dangerous light leak is.

No... What happened?

So you actually do take him seriously? Segerstedt, I mean.

Yes, we're dealing with a psychopath. Hitler, I mean.

Seriously, does anyone think Segerstedt can drag us into the war by himself?

I don't think we need to worry about him anymore.

I thought we were playing cards.

The King of Spades. That's the one you were missing.

-So, P-A... Is your hand steady enough? -As long as you sit down in the boat.

I'm sure it takes more to rattle you.

But maybe there are those close to you who aren't as certain about the course.

You've never shown the slightest sympathy for Nazism.

Do you mean to insult me?

No, but that's why I do not understand this...cautiousness.

I'm a politician. Isn't that explanation enough?

Let me state it plainly: you endanger national security with your writings.

A lapsed theologian writing in a local paper can hardly set the world aflame.

-Is everything to your satisfaction? -No, it isn't.

But it has nothing to do with you.

You know quite well that when it comes to Nazism, silence is acquiescence.

A toast, my friend. You speak the truth.

But there's also the right word at the right time.

And sometimes freedom and freedom of speech is best served-

by shutting your mouth.

-Are you telling me to shut up? -Not at all.

So that's not what we're toasting to. Then what is it?

All I am suggesting is that you choose your words...

-...to not plunge Sweden into war. -I see. A toast.

Now I know what you mean.

So, am I a traitor, as some would have it?

No. But you're running the risk of becoming one.

-Pirjo, what is the matter? -I'm sorry, Professor.

-It's my brother. He is dead. -Dead?

-The Russians... -Poor Pirjo!

-What can I do for you? -I'm sorry, Professor.

You should go home to Finland. Your mother needs you now.

I'll pay for the trip, of course. And your return.

-You will come back, right? -Yes.

Good, then. Good. I mean, get going.

The Swedish dedication to neutrality is not a sign of weakness.

It is an expression of the spirit of a free and independent people.

It is my conviction that we have not only seen to Swedish interests-

-but also created the best conditions for aiding Finland.

I can understand if Segerstedt, after all his attacks on a foreign nation...

-...doesn't sleep well at night. -That is correct.

And I understand that our head of state sleeps well.

You ask for consistency. Isn't a compromise consistent?

Is a compromise Sweden's goal in this case?

-No. -Then what is it?

The nation demands an answer. It has to come from me - and my government.

And I am certain that the majority of the Swedish people feel as we do.

Who do you speak for, Torgny Segerstedt?

Freedom of speech and my conscience.

-Are saying aid to Finland is canceled? -No.

But Sweden sends no troops. No assistance for a brotherland at war.

-Yes, there is. -You mean no.

-I mean what I say. -You do?

There are more insinuations here than I care to hear.

Involving Swedish troops in the Finnish fight-

-could possibly prevent a collapse for a few months.

And then we're in a war against Russia, which is allied to Germany.

Should Sweden flail against both Russia and Germany? No.

No, a Swedish military intervention is out of the question.

-But we will send aid. -Aid?

-Eight thousand men. -Volunteers!

One nation in distress is better than two, if good and evil enter into it.

We run with our tail between our legs as usual!

You liken Sweden to a dog. Or maybe I am the dog?

As the saying goes, if the shoe doesn't fit, take it off.

I'm leaving now. We'll get no further here.

An extra bulletin from the telegraph news agency.

Germany has commenced military action against Norway and Denmark.

Reports from Oslo say that the German government-

-has demanded that Norway be put under German jurisdiction.

The Norwegian government denied the request.

-Good day, Ida. -Sorry about the mess, Professor.

A bomb shelter is being built in the basement. The Master is in his room.

You have to know you're at the top of their list.

-Which makes you number two, Axel. -And Maja.

One for all and all for one.

Here?

Or maybe here?

Here.

My heart belongs to you, after all.

This is about the Germans, and I intend to fire first.

Axel couldn't shoot a fly.

But you can.

Doctor Mannheimer hands out pills to those in need.

-Should I ask him for one for you? -No.

All talk of us committing non-neutral acts-

-by allowing passage of troops from warring nations is only conjecture.

We will use all methods at our disposal-

-to counter any attempts at violating our neutrality.

You do damage to Swedish interests with your writing.

This can no longer be tolerated.

This country could not defend itself for more than ten or so days.

And we do not want to be running through the woods being shot at-

-as happened to my relative Haakon of Norway.

I don't want war either, but a people can be put to harsher tests.

To lose their freedom.

You are blinded by your hate of the Germans.

I don't hate the Germans, I hate the Nazis.

I still cannot see the point of writing what you do.

I don't think it helps to write counter to my conscience.

I think we know why you help the Jews.

And we want to tell you that choosing between Germany and Russia-

-we prefer to become Germans rather than Russians.

If Your Majesty allows, I much prefer to remain a Swede.

This audience is over.

Thank you.

Remember, if war breaks out, it is your fault.

-Reputation of a dead man... -Sorry?

Sorry. The reputation of a dead man.

Havamal, the Icelandic saga.

"Cattle die, kinsmen die, you yourself die."

"I know one thing which never dies: the reputation of a dead man."

Well...

-Can you compromise with evil? -Never.

But there are different ways of fighting it.

By transporting German troops through Sweden?

-Yes, possibly. -To roll over for Hitler?

-I know no Swede who rolls over. -Sorry, but I do not agree.

Just take our excellent Foreign Minister Mr. Günther.

The smallest fart from Hitler makes him bow-

-when he should be holding his nose.

-That's unfair. -Hardly.

What may seem a bad maneuver can actually hide a clever tactic.

They do not dare draw the bow, and soon the bowstring is weak.

Weakness will rust a people.

Time and again, your voice gets too shrill.

So I should be muzzled?

No, you simply shouldn't be dead certain in other people's name.

Torgny...

Has it ever occurred to you that the battle you fight-

-might be yours alone, and one that is entirely private.

-I heard that you met the King. -How did you hear that?

You'll have to excuse me, Torgny, but I have an important meeting.

-Good day, Christian. -Torgny! How are you?

What have you conspired to do now, you and the fat cats?

You play the king and expect me to shut up.

How in the hell could they make you Foreign Minister?

Their good judgment, of course. Like when they decided against you.

-What do you want? -For you to leave my paper alone.

"Leave your paper alone". Do you hear how that sounds?

So that you can play with fire for your own amusement.

Or?

Is it maybe some sort of therapy that you're up to?

Is the defeat of the young theologian-

-to be compensated by St. Torgny's clash with the Dragon?

In front of the adoring princess.

-I won't allow it to continue. -Do you hear how that sounds?

Don't be so certain. You can be out in the cold with a few strokes of the pen.

You're lucky there are no witnesses. Threatening a government official-

-will give you six months in the dungeons, minimum.

Without paper or pen.

I have been tasked with impounding today's issue of Handelstidningen.

This one.

IN NORWEGIAN PRISONS AND CAMPS.

Please see to it that the edition is canceled right away.

Genius. Unassailable.

Yes.

Germany and Soviet Russia are at war since early this morning.

At 4:30 AM Reichsminister Goebbels read-

-a proclamation from Reichskanzler Hitler on German radio.

Right now, the greatest mobilization the world has ever seen is occurring.

At least you never had a problem with the animals.

You loved them.

Why did you die so early, Mother?

You don't decide everything yourself.

But you did make that decision, didn't you?

To lose someone is also to be freed.

Why didn't you go to your father?

He was even further away and it was you I wanted.

-It was you I wanted. -Like all small boys.

No. Like me.

Tomorrow, your little boy turns sixty-five.

A big banquet at The Grand.

Mount the HT Pegasus. Your Parnassus, Torgny!

Your lance, Torgny! Your lance!

The Jew Bitch is going home.

The Sun God.

That was what I thought the first time I saw you.

"The Sun God. Now I have seen the Sun God."

Your skull, so beautiful...

Such perfection.

Promise me that you won't let yourself be cremated.

He is so tired, our knight.

-It will turn now, I hope. -Yes.

But don't let go just yet, Torgny.

As if you've ever let go of anything.

As I'm sure you're aware, it's almost time for a departure here.

-Departure? -Maybe not as you once hoped.

This is the great departure that we all have to make.

And for me, it's the pancreas. Don't look so shocked.

Mannheimer thinks I have a few more months in me.

-But it's... -Listen to me.

Be kind to Maja.

Later. You know what I mean.

She loves us. In her way.

At least you, Torgny.

I get the feeling that you are distancing yourself from Maja.

It's almost over, the old year!

Oh my!

Is that really necessary?

-Happy New Year! -Happy New Year!

Happy New Year. Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, my dear friend.

A toast to love!

"This love will undo us all." Shakespeare.

Can you say hello? Such a loving dog!

Maja?

Is it you?

Yes.

No, it's not you anymore.

-Should I open the curtains? -No, I can't stand the light.

What am I supposed to do?

Do you love me?

I'm opening the curtains.

Come down to me in the darkness, my beloved.

I think you should thank me for having taught you.

Yes.

Who would I be without you?

Everything will be fine.

Does the darkness go away then?

Yes.

No.

Not the darkness within you.

No one will take me alive, Torgny. No one.

I had milk, but unfortunately no sugar.

You're sweet enough as you are, Estrid.

My friends call me Trixie.

-Do the dogs get some? -No, thank you.

Very kind of you.

What a surprise to have you come by.

-Winston has peed on the floor. -I'll wipe it up.

No...

-Trixie, I don't know... -What don't you know?

What I would do without you.

The Mistress is upstairs, but wants to be left alone.

-I will go get Ida. -Sit with me.

Tell him that I did not want to be a burden to him.

Do you realize that you've turned a human being into a monument?

Do you realize that?

-Will you sing for me? -What do you want me to sing?

The sun is so red, Mother And the forest turns so dark

Now the sun is dead, Mother And the day has gone away

The fox is roaming outside, Mother So let us lock our door

So sit down by my pillow, Mother And sing a little song

Mother?

-Maja! -Yes, it is me, Torgny.

So the knight got his maiden at last.

I bet you that she was actually a virgin.

Why does the night come, Mother?

With cold and frigid wind

Hear our little cat, Mother Meowing to be let in

The gulls and the terns...

...have nowhere to live

Now hear the stars begin to sing

They sing me to sleep

And here I am, chattering away! I'm supposed to go see Axel.

Farewell, Torgny. I'll see you.

You heard Doctor Mannheimer. One stroke is enough.

Why do you drink, Father?

Because I am so fantastically bored.

And you, why did you go to Göteborgsposten?

-Have you no shame? -You're a fine one to talk.

At least they actually print what I write for them.

Come, Father. A new year is about to begin.

Ring in the thousand years of peace

Ring in the valiant man and free

The larger heart, the kindlier hand

-Ring out the darkness of the land! -Thank you.

Ring in the Christ that is to be

-Happy New Year. -Happy New Year.

-Do you sleep well at night, Trixie? -Why do you ask?

-No night terrors? -Every now and again, I guess.

But once the sun rises, the trolls burst, right?

But now, the trolls do not burst anymore.

How many articles do I have to my name? Ten thousand?

That's not even close.

And at least as many enemies.

Two women's lives and the devotion of a few dogs.

"The reputation of a dead man..."

I'm tired of being enemies with so many people.

We're all in the same boat, after all.

But I would like to see Herr Hitler go overboard before I do.

And once he's there, what is there left to fight?

Evil, Trixie. The roots.

I've been thinking about getting a dog.

I can imagine. You've only got three.

A Newfoundland. They are good swimmers.

How quickly it passed.

I have written in sand. Right?

What do you think?

Are you awake, Father?

Estrid is here.

A pen, Ingrid. A pen.

I love you, Torgny.

Hitler...

Hitler.

Is he dead?

Yes. He is gone.

Subtitles by John E Thelin