All language subtitles for Oxen (The Ox) (Sweden-1991) H.264 PAL DVD convert (moviesbyrizzo upload)

THE OX

A true story told by
Sven Nykvist...

No!

Have you gone out of your mind,
Helge?

What am I to do? We have to eat.

How could you?
How could you do it... to Svenning?

Svenning has another one.
We must survive.

Help me.

Stop whimpering and help me.

What's done is done.

Help me. You don't wantAnna
to fall ill and die, do you?

Dear friends.

In times of hunger and need
there aren't many good tidings.

"When were we last blessed with
good news", we ask ourselves.

The meager crops which we've had
for the past two years now,

have resulted in sickness,
and unrest throughoutthe country.

Right here in our parish
the old and young are dying.

Evil and false rumors
are going around,

promising abundance and easy gain
elsewhere in the world.

It is of the utmost importance
that we are not led astray.

We who have remained
are needed here.

Thank you.

Thanks, Helge.
I'll take care of the rest.

They're waiting for you.
Svenning is waiting on the coachbox.

Merry Christmas, Helge.

- Merry Christmas.
- I appreciate your help.

Soon you can slaughterthe fatted
calf and make yourselves merry!

- You said that last year...
- Do you not believe me?

Thunder sounded when winter began.
That is a good sign!

But in America there is but
coughing and pissing of blood.

Have you had your Christmas
stirring yet? If not, come to me!

What is the matter?

Can't you even keep your peace
on a day like today?

I'm afraid we'll have to make do
with what little food we have.

- You look pale, Elfrida.
- She doesn't get much sleep.

The baby cries and fusses.
She's hungry too, I suppose.

And for you, a little comb.

- Here's a nice present for you.
- Thank you.

Shall we see if there is
something else for you?

- There. - And this is for you.
- Thank you.

And some milkforAnna.
- Merry Christmas, Anna.

I can't take you on right away
as things are. I can't afford it.

Maybe in the summer.

Svenning, what have you done
with the other ox?

What are you saying?

There's only one out there.
They usually stay together.

What a time to disappear!

- I'll tell them.
- Do you wantAnna to die?

Helge, we'll go look in the bog.
You know where they normally are.

I think Anna's running a temperature.

She is not well.

We'd better go home.

I want you to know that
we'll do our best to help you.

Thank you.

I'm sure they'll find the ox soon,
and Helge will come back.

Merry Christmas.

We'll have to stop.
It'll be dark soon.

Why don't we go look near Krokhult?
That's where it came from.

Come on.

We didn't find it.

We have sinned before God...

before the law...

and before Svenning,
ourown master.

We could at least
have asked him first.

You knew that we would both
be guilty in the eyes of the Lord.

You should have asked the vicar...

Be quiet!

What do you want me to do?
Give them backthe meat?

Eat slowly,
so that you don't throw up.

Eat so that you can suckle her.

Salt. We need a lot of salt.
Otherwise it will spoil.

- How do you do, vicar.
- How do you do, Flykt.

- Knives? Axes?
- I'll wait till after the holidays.

- I know who stole the ox.
- Do you, now?

Roos. Helge Roos.

Implacability leads nowhere. Do not
deepen the enmity between you two!

That old story about Roos' wife
is a thing of the past.

Leave heralone,
and you will all be happier.

I saw him in a pasture a few days ago
stealing the salt of the cows.

What do you think
he needs that for, vicar?

I don't think you should
cast the first stone. Goodbye.

I'm a little short of money but...

No credit, I'm sorry.

They've been broke for six months.
Now they're off to America.

I'll give you credit. Long credit
against the clock and the spoons.

Don't stay here, Silver.
I don't want you around.

You do not look so bad, Roos.
You seem to have all you want.

We mustn't eat anything today.
We're starting to look too healthy.

Svenning is coming.

I can smell real food.

It's a hare.
I finally caught a hare.

- Do you want to join us?
- No, save it for your own family.

I'll be eating at home soon.
But...

We have to fetch timber tomorrow.
Could you lend us a hand?

Yes.

Good.

Enjoy your meal.

Off you go.

Go on! Go on, you lazy ox!

If We don't get it to the mill,
We'll lose our Winter income.

- Can't we lighten the load?
- That damned thief.

If I got my hands on him,
I'd give him hell!

Have I done anyone wrong?
Is it some sort of revenge?

-Is Abraham Larsson present?
- Yes.

And how about Flykt, the soldier?

- The drunk got lost on the way here.
- And on the way to the war, too.

Ancl Marta, daughter of Daniel,
with her daughter... Britta?

Yes.

Our congregation gets smaller
every Week, but We have a newcomer.

Anna, daughter of Helge and Elfrida
Roos. Born on October 12th last year.

I suppose nobody knows where
the farm-hand Johan Nilsson is.

I saw him in Seftabo. It's true!
Selling all sorts of things...

Are you ill? Helge!

They stare as if I were a killer...

"Give us today our daily bread."
What is that, Silver?

All the necessities of life.

Food and drink and money and clothes.

Woolen cloths and linen
and buttons and smelling salt.

Brass buttons and nice weather,
and respectability...

Thank you, that's very good.

Who can tell me the 7th commandment?
Kajsa Johansdotter?

-"Thou shalt not steal."
- What does that mean, Jéns Petter?

We shall fear and love God,
so that we not

by trading deceitfully
rob our neighbour

of his money and possessions...

"Thou shalt not bear false witness
against the wife of thy neighbour."

"And thou shalt not kill...",
be it one thing or another.

I know of someone who...
has done both this and that.

I know.

I know!

Not only Flykt goes his own way.

It looks as if one of Svennings oxen
has gone off on its own.

Let us hope
it can be replaced orfound.

Helge.

I know that you are not
an evil person.

Get away from here!

Damnation!

- That's why the dogs went wild.
- It must be God's will.

God has nothing to do with it.
We just didn't have enough salt.

Not all the salt in the world could
have prevented it from spoiling.

We'll just have to starve again,
then.

- What's that?
- Some bread and butter.

Have you been out begging?

We have to live.

But We don't beg!

- That's all we have left.
- We can't eat that.

There's the market in Jénképing.

Maybe we can sell it there.

- I might meet someone I know.
- Not if you take the cattle paths.

You'll only meet cattle there.
The market is in a week.

- I'll thinkabout it.
- What else can we do?

I said I'cl think about it!

Good afternoon.

- What do you want?
- Can I have a drink of water?

- I've been Walking all clay.
- I don't have any Water here.

There's a pail there.
You're welcome to fetch some.

- Thank you.
- Before you leave...

Would you please read this to me?
My eyesight is very bad.

It's from America.

"Minnesota, March 4th, 1868.

My beloved wife.
We are of sound health.

We hope that the Lord has
granted you the same good fortune.

At the very bottom of your trunk...

At the very bottom
I ask you to place the order bill."

Helge?

I thought it was you, Helge.

- Where are you off to?
- I'm going to the market.

Really? So am I.
Why don't you go with me?

Yes...

- Why are you going there?
- I was forced to...

To what?

May the Lord forgive you, Helge.
I'm speechless.

What are we going to do about it?

Won't you finish the letter?

Go ahead, finish reading it.

And the three pairs..."

of long underwearl didn't
think... I'd need over here.

Butwhich I do need.

All my love.
May the Lord watch over you.

Gustaf Samuel."

We'd better go to the courthouse
at once. You do understand.

We have to settle this matter.

I was on my way to the governor
to ask for relief.

And then this happens.

First-rate silver and copper.
Half price!

Hurry up and buy some
before it's all gone.

Come near, clear friends!

You'd better take that with you.

Easy, now.

Helge...

How could you do this
to Svenning Gustavsson, Helge?

- He's done so much for you.
- I thought, "we're going to die".

And then it was like
I was someone else.

Someone else held the sledgehammer.

Are you blaming the devil?

Think, Helge.

If we were all to go around
slaughtering in times of hardship...

In the end we wouldn't
restrict ourselves to the cattle.

We'd slaughter each other.

We have to gather strength
and courage to fight evil.

- Don't we?
- Yes.

- You confess?
- Yes.

Have you anything
to say for yourself?

Yes...

You see...

Have you or have you not
anything to say for yourself?

Not.

Next.

It'll be all right.
With God's help.

Roos, Helge Wilhelm.

The sentence of the court is:

Helge Roos has confessed that he
unlawfully slaughtered and ate an ox.

It was his attention to sell
the hide at the market in Jénképing.

In accordance with
chapter 40 section 3,

and chapter 43 section 1,

he shall be punished
by flogging, 40 blows,

and subsequently
forced laborfor life.

Take the prisoner away
and execute the sentence.

I'll do everything in my power
to have the verdict changed.

- I hadn't expected a life sentence.
- Don't tell Elfrida about it.

No.

No!

- So who the hell are you?
- Roos, Helge Roos.

That is not something
to lookforward to.

Well, Helge...
Tell me about your misfortune.

I killed an ox.

I suppose you'll get out
before Christmas, then.

I'm in for life.

Oh, for life. Because of an ox?

Christ! - Did you hear him?

- He's in for life because of an ox!
- Shut up! I'm trying to sleep.

Ijustwanted some food
for the child.

The child?
What a bloody injustice.

A life sentence is a very long time.
At least in this hole.

If you want to stay alive,
then just mind your own business.

You can't come in without permission.

Permission? Why?
You and I are best friends.

Ge away.

Look, What I have here.

The infant hasn't eaten
for several days, I suspect.

You've stolen it
from one ofourtraps.

There now, little girl.

I know what you need, now that
you won't see your man anymore.

By now the whole parish knows
that he's in for life.

Come now, Elfrida. I've seen the eyes
you have been making at me.

I know what promises they hold.

Elfrida? Come in...

- Why...?
- Go inside.

Why didn't you tell me
that Helge got the life sentence?

My clear Elfricla, it was Helge's own
request. To make it easier for you.

Can't you help me, please?
I have to go and see him.

People in Helge's situation
aren't allowed to have visitors.

I would neverforgive myself
if anything happened...

Elfrida! I'll try to persuade them
to reduce the sentence.

Elfrida, don't give up!
I promise to do my utmost.

- Stop! What have you got there?
- Clothes! Are you planning to escape?

- No.
- What's this, then?

- Who does it belong to?
- Somebody put it there.

The one with the red beard.

- Fucking informer!
- Traitor!

- Squealer!
- Just wait...

You'll pay for this!

Traitor!

What are you doing?
What are you up to?

Karlsborg, September 14th, 1868.

My dear beloved wife...

I'm writing this letter full of grief

in Karlsborg Prison.

Forgive me.

The awful thought of having left
you and little Anna in poverty

tortures my soul.

Not until now do I see what
a terrible thing I did to Svenning.

I owe him a tremendous apology.

My days here are long and strenuous.
And the nights are far too short.

I'm constantly tired and drowsy.

As I'm an upstart, I'm a victim
of the others'!!! will every day.

My warmest love to you, dear wife,
and my daughter, Anna. Helge.

Do you want some food?

We are decent navvies.
There's no need to be shy.

We'd betterfind you another job.

- He deserves a harsh punishment.
- Yes, but life sentence?

His wife and child
can not survive on air alone.

He worked here for 8 years, was like
a son to me, and yet he did this...

I do not want to sign a petition.

Sometimes we suffer without cause.
- Without cause?

The future of my farm is at stake.
Why should I be punished?

I just want a fair treatment.

For Whom? Helge or me?
Can you tell me that?

The spiteful believes himselfjust.

But in the eyes of the Lord
we are all sinners, Svenning.

And as for Helge and Elfrida
I ask you to have mercy on them.

Do not punish them further.

Almighty God.
Forgive us oursins.

Show yourgreat
and unfathomable mercy.

For the sake
of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Help us mend our Ways

and grant us eternal life with Him.

Amen.

Come on.

I'm convinced that
if we alljoined forces,

we could puttogether a petition
and send it to the courthouse.

- Do you want my name, vicar?
- Yes, please.

- Are you willing to help?
- Sure.

I'd like to send the petition
as quickly as possible.

Rams'.!

Roos, you rascal.

I haven't seen you outside.
Are you on bread and water?

Or is it true
you're at the blacksmith's now?

Do you think
you can earn yourfreedom?

- Why are you here?
- Sins of the flesh, Roos.

Too many womenfolk about.
Not fitting for a soldier.

Your Wife sends her greetings.

Believe it or not,
we're the best of friends now.

Believe me or not,
but she gave me soup last week.

She gave a treat of a dessert...

You are incurable... Swine!

Elfrida! Here you are, pillaging
the garbage like a beggar.

I always thought you were
a wise and proud woman.

I am so sorry
that Svenning can't forgive you.

-L'cl like to help you.
- I can't accept any help.

Not even if it was offered.

I beg of you.
Go and talk to the vicar.

Elmostorp. May 19th, 1869.

My dear beloved Helge.

My eyes overflow with tears

at the thought that we'll never
see each other again in this life.

I'll do my best
to help Anna remember her father.

The vicar has managed to get me
some work for the other peasants.

He says he hasn't lost hope
that Svenning will forgive you.

What you did, killing the ox,

has given me food for
a great deal of thought lately.

Forgive me for
harbouring doubts for so long.

I know it's a great sacrifice
to act against one's conscience.

1 wish you God's peace and blessings.

My dearest and most heartfelt wishes
for you, my dear husband.

Elfrida och Anna.

That's right...

Come on.

That's good.

Good.

Yes...

At last there's a man
in the house again.

Helge.

It's good to see you again, Helge.

I got special permission
to come and see you today.

I wanted to tell you personally
that a retrial is underway at last.

- There's just one obstacle.
- How are they, vicar?

- Anna and Elfrida?
- They're well looked after.

- But there is just one thing...
- Have they been ill?

Don't worry. They're fine.

But listen to me, now.
We only need Svenning's signature.

When I get that, it's a question of
days before the verdict is changed.

Tell me about Anna, vicar.
She must have grown.

She's scampering about,
playing and laughing, I suppose.

- Is she happy?
- Yes.

Yes, Helge,
she's a fine little girl.

Will you give Elfrida this?

It's a cross.

Tell herthat...

it's from the bottom of my heart.

I have asked everyone to try
to understand and forgive you.

I've asked them to help me
persuade Svenning to sign.

There aren't many left in the parish,

but most of them are willing
to do what they can.

As long as your are set free, Helge.

I'll convey them your gratitude.

And tell them
you lookforward to coming home.

"My dear beloved Flykt. You haven't
written to me for a long time."

Let me see!

I'm not going to show you my love
letters. It's a woman from back home.

She's married, but Writes anyway.
You probably know her.

Give me that letter.

Jesus! He is growing horns
like the devil himself!

It's my letter. Give it to me!

"Thou shalt not steal."
Or so it says in the Scripture.

-"Thou shalt not kill" either.
- Give it to me, or else!

Open your mouth! Give me the letter!

- Give it to him!
- Yeah, kill him!

- Kill the bastard!
- Give it to me! Open your mouth!

Yeah, that's good!
A fucking squealer!

Karlsborg, May 20th, 1873.

My unspeakably beloved wife.

The act which set us apart
keeps haunting my thoughts.

Maybe we would have managed
on relief.

But t was so worried
that Anna might get sick.

I also remember that I had been
feeling ill at ease for some time.

We were getting on each other's
nerves because of the starvation.

I should have foreseen
that I couldn't get away with it

and that I would be
punished severely.

And that it would end up hurting you
and Anna... later on... and terribly.

But what t don't understand is
that when the vicar caught me,

I was relieved, as if a great
load had been taken off my back.

I still hope
my sentence will be reduced.

loan'? stand much more.
Pray for me.

AH my love to you, my dear wife,
Elfrida, and Anna. Helge.

Roos, Helge Wilhelm.

Both the commander and myself
can attest that

you have behaved, as they say,
"properly and in an orderly fashion".

Except for that incident
not so long ago.

This decision is based on the
recommendation of my superiors.

They release you from your duties
at the state prison.

In otherwords, you're a free man.

The plaintiff Svenning Gustavsson
has signed the petition, too.

It rather seems as if
the sentence was a bit severe.

Come and dance with me.

She's afraid of me.
It's been too long.

Yes...

Too long.

Who is the boy?

Who is the boy?

Who is he?

“Was a navvy...

We'd have been dead otherwise.

What... what is this?

What is all this?

- What is all this?
- The peasants paid my work with that.

Did he give you these, too?

Is this his chair?

You probably lay there laughing
at that imprisoned idiot!

Lying there with your legs
in the air!

- Are you back already?
- We have to find Helge.

He's back and
they've argued aboutthe boy.

Helge?

Helge!

At last, Helge. Welcome home.

I suppose you've been home.
Come and sit down, Helge.

- I'm going to America. I can't stay.
- You mustn't do anything rash.

Listen to me. It's so easy to
condemn people. You should know.

You acted as you did to save Anna.

And so did Elfrida.

I was imprisoned.

But Elfrida has waited for so long,
not knowing if you would be freed.

Yet she hasn't stopped loving you.
And now you have a son.

He can't help the way he came about.
And he needs a father.

- How can I stay here?
- You're wrong, Helge.

I've talked to everyone in the parish
and they have forgiven you.

Now it's your turn to forgive.

You knew it all the time.
But you nevertolcl me.

I trusted you, vicar.

Would it have done you any good
to know about it in prison?

Helge and Elfrlda had eight children.
They all behaved well.