Original subtitles

1678. For three years, Denmark and Sweden-

- have fought for control of Sk�ne.

Caught in between are the Scanian peasants-

- who have suffered for decades under Swedish rule.

Many have left their farms to fight to free Sk�ne.

Some have formed their own bands, and some have joined the Danish army.

To aid these resistance fighters is extremely dangerous-

- since the Swedish king has authorized summary executions.

These resistance fighters are called "snapphanes".

T�LLE CHURCH

Jesus Christ!

Jakob! Take the girls inside. Where's Nils?

- I don't know. - Wasn't he with you? Go find him!

Nils!

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if...

Nils! Don't you hear the bells? It might be Swedes. Come on!

They've taken everything. All our silver!

Even Jesus Christ from the cross.

- How many? - A woman and a man. Bandits.

Why are you standing around? I'll take the boys through the forest.

Hurry up, Bigscared!

- What is it? - They're after us. Come on.

Up there. We'll take them on the other side of the hill.

Nils, get that!

- No, just the big ones. - You don't want it all?

- We need the silver more than you. - Leave it. And drop your weapons.

We're not bandits. You know that.

That's our church silver.

Let us go.

Unless you want to end up like a Swede.

Keep your distance. Stay over there!

- Let us go. - No.

Drop the gun! And get down!

Down!

Stay there. - Jakob!

Tie them up. What are you waiting for?

- We have the silver. Let them go. - Why?

- They're snapphanes. - That's the same as bandits.

- I didn't know you were a Swede. - What was that?

I didn't know you were a Swede.

And I didn't know that you're a Dane.

I'm a Scanian. They're fighting for a Danish Sk�ne.

- Is Nils in with you on this? - Raise your hand to set them free.

Leave Nils out of this. - Nils...

Get the rope.

The rope!

We found it on the ground.

They must have dropped it to get away.

You're a good man, Olof Geting. God bless you and your family.

The important thing is that we have our silver back.

Nils.

What if people find out that we let them go?

- They may never find out. - But you're not sure?

The war is getting closer, and you two don't understand a thing.

At least we know who the enemy is.

Kerstin, take the little ones outside.

I need to talk with the boys.

What I'm about to tell you has to stay between us.

I swore that I would never even tell my own family.

But you've left me no choice.

You may think that I was born here in T�lle.

- Yes. - No.

I'm from the capital. From Stockholm.

Twenty years ago, I was a young soldier in the Swedish army.

Just like now, our enemies were the Danes.

I was new to the army and had never even seen a Dane.

I couldn't wait to get into battle.

I was the best and viewed the war as a great adventure.

The Danes were there, just across the Great Belt.

The king, Charles X Gustavus, needed a way to surprise the enemy.

And I...

One night, I realized how that could be accomplished.

I convinced my superior, Quartermaster Dahlbergh.

The Danes knew we couldn't get to them, unless we outsmarted them.

The ice was strong enough for the Swedish army to cross the Belt.

That very night, we crossed the ice.

The Danes were caught by surprise.

All those lives...

Lost.

Thanks to your father.

You've done a lot for Sweden, despite your youth.

How does a farm in Sk�ne strike you?

But never tell anyone about last night.

It was my idea to cross the ice.

Leave, Olof Geting. But never forget who gave you that dagger.

I made up my mind that day.

I wanted my family to live free of sin.

No blood shall flow across the hands of a Geting.

And neither snapphanes, nor Danes or Swedes-

- will ever change that.

What is man, and what is his grace?

And what is his good, or what is his evil?

There's a company of snapphanes around here. Have you seen them?

How about food and water? And a place to rest?

How many are there of you?

We need help.

- You can rest here. - Thanks. What's your name?

- Nils Geting. - You're a brave man, Nils.

We need people like you. Join us and fight to free Sk�ne.

- Are you scared? - Of violating the fifth commandment.

- Nils, move the wagon! - Stay calm. It's just my brother.

What's going on here?

The Swedes... We killed four of their soldiers.

But we lost half our strength.

- How long can we stay here? - One night.

No, as long as you need to! You can count on us.

Do you need anything? I can ride into T�lle.

Someone must have seen you.

The people in the village know. They've gathered in the church.

- They're armed. - How come?

- They'll be coming here. - What business do they have here?

Jesus Christ!

- What have you done? - They needed help.

Nils told me that you're a good man. I'm asking you for help.

- I can't help you. - There are snapphanes around.

We're looking to join them. But we need to rest first.

Father! They're hurt!

Nils, get a horse ready. - Jakob, you come with me.

The horse is ready.

We have to find the snapphanes before the entire village gets here.

I'll stay here with Jakob and defend the farm.

- You may have until daybreak. - I'll find them.

Send them to the farm. But don't come back with them.

Keep going up north. To Stockholm.

I can't keep Jakob out of the war.

But you will be a priest, Nils.

I've saved up some money. Take this.

Find Dahlbergh when you get to the capital.

- Dahlbergh. - He's close to the seat of power.

Tell him that it was your father who helped him cross the Belt.

He'll help you.

Get going now.

Snapphanes! I'm looking for snapphanes!

We have snapphanes on our farm and they need your help.

Geting Farm in T�lle, due west from here.

Listen to me! You need to go there!

Thank you.

Sweden thanks you.

Tell me... Did they scream?

Like pigs.

Three months later

The war goes on

In response to Swedish success-

- many snapphanes join the Danish army.

I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath.

They will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.

I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath.

They will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.

I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath.

They will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.

Hey! Can you hear me?

Can you hear me? Hey!

Die! Die! Die!

My name is Mogens Lauman.

It's my duty to inform you that you will be executed.

You will die now.

Jensen!

Blows and kicks.

All the fingers broken. Teeth marks.

You'll be whipped until you're no longer breathing.

Stop whipping him!

Hey. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your family?

Not anymore.

I sent snapphanes to the farm. They butchered them all.

- Snapphanes don't kill the innocent. - I saw them with my own eyes.

They must have been Swedish soldiers, disguised as snapphanes.

Swedes?

Sweden thanks you.

They do that sometimes to keep the peasants loyal to Sweden.

What's your name?

Nils...

...Geting.

- This is Bigscared. - Bigscared.

Black Stina. I'll get you something warm.

- Black Stina? - They say that she's all black.

To the core. But she's not.

- They need you at the latrine. - Again?

- Here. - Bigscared?

Yeah, he's awfully big. And people say that he's scared.

But he's not.

I gave my men the gold coins. The rest is there.

What will you do now?

- I'll avenge my family. - Revenge is a luxury.

Do something for Sk�ne. We need everyone we can get.

Right, Black Stina. The boy's your responsibility now.

Nils Geting, you're a snapphane.

Thanks.

- Hey. - Hey.

Snapphanes eat with other snapphanes.

You've met Bigscared. This is David and Josua Swartz. Brothers.

- Why aren't you eating? - I lost my food.

God bless you both.

There's salt today. It's good.

How many Swedes have you killed, Nils Geting?

They're everywhere. You'll have to kill them, or you'll die yourself.

- Then I'll do it. - Yeah?

How?

Will you beat them to death with your bible?

When we leave this camp, you might as well leave God behind.

With the number of bodies we leave behind, we're riding straight to hell.

No bible can save you from that.

But first... First we free Sk�ne.

Amen to that.

Amen.

Amen.

I guess you've never seen one of these before.

Butt, stock, bolt track, trigger, stirrup...

Aren't we missing something?

Bolt!

A gun takes time to load. Powder can get wet.

And it makes noise. We may have to attack without being heard.

That's why David and I use crossbows.

They've been around since before guns. They're light, silent...

And accurate.

But not everyone can master this outstanding weapon.

- A good gun. - Lauman wants to see you. Now.

Let's go, boys.

- Can't he talk? - David?

They were the only survivors when the Swedes attacked their village.

David has sworn not to speak until every last Swede is dead.

- I've been ordered to move west. - West?

The Swedes are near Sandby. The side that can gather strength this winter-

- will have an advantage next year. If we can defeat the Swedes at Sandby...

...Sk�ne will be ours.

- So we're going to Sandby? - We are, but not you.

You'll go after Sweden's most powerful and dangerous man.

His name is Gabriel Lejonhufvud.

Gabriel Lejonhufvud? Who's that?

He's Charles XI's closest man.

He makes all political and military decisions. He controls Sweden.

- Should we...? - Draw and quarter him?

Lejonhufvud knows that we need the Scanian villages.

He's going around forcing people to sign an oath of allegiance.

The villages promise not to aid Danish troops or snapphanes.

If people refuse, he has ways of changing their minds.

"Lejonhufvud's oath journey."

He's like a plague that's spreading from village to village.

We think he's traveling with the Swedish war-chest.

He'll need it before the next big battle.

It will be easier to defeat the Swedes if someone gets to the war-chest.

That's where you come in.

Come.

Roosman's men will be waiting for you here.

- Roosman. - Who's that?

He's the greatest. The Swedes fear him and his men.

They're keeping track of Lejonhufvud and are waiting for your arrival.

If you get the war-chest, use it against Lejonhufvud.

Pay the peasants to fight against Lejonhufvud.

Sandby Castle. The Danish headquarters will be there.

If any of you survive, you'll be welcome there.

Black Stina, you're in charge until Roosman assumes command.

Do as she says. Any questions?

- When are we leaving? - Now.

Roosman's waiting for us down there.

What is it?

Roosman always has sentries out.

Come on.

What's going on?

Roosman... Where's Roosman?

They're all here.

Except for him.

Our mission is to recover the war-chest.

- I say we go on. - Without Roosman?

- Yeah. - But we'll bury our brothers first.

Almighty Father.

We ask You to receive these men in Heaven.

Provide them with everything they gave up here on earth.

Give them love, freedom, and joy.

And let that be a sign for us who remain-

- that you have blessed our struggle.

We've been put on this earth to fight as snapphanes.

Amen.

Kn�arp. If Lejonhufvud's there, then so will the war-chest.

- They're way too many. - We have to get into the village.

All five of us?

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.

For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Priest! Step forward.

- Isn't that Nils? - Yes.

What's he doing?

- Name? - Ludwig Trulsson.

- Apprentice priest. - Welcome to Kn�arp.

We had a priest here, but he left.

He's probably hiding in his church, like most priests do when we arrive.

We have five men here who won't be alive for much longer.

They're entitled to their last rites.

Forgive me, but I can't.

- Condemned men must be guilty. - Of course.

But who says that they're not guilty?

God.

What would you have me do?

Spare them.

- You want me to spare them? - Yes.

Let him fight for their lives.

If he's so sure they deserve to live, he should be willing to die for them.

How about it, apprentice priest?

Excellent. We'll need a champion.

There's your opponent.

You're welcome to dine with us.

You may sit.

The others will be here soon.

"Why's she here?" You must have thought that when you saw me.

You know what I thought when I saw you?

"Oh, an apprentice priest. I'll have him killed in a duel."

Well said.

There's our survivor. My personal physician - Anders Sparre.

And my wonderful fianc�e - Hedvig Sparre.

Who misses her life in the capital.

I don't see why we don't just let the Danes have Sk�ne.

They wouldn't thank us sufficiently.

By all means... We're in the backwoods now.

Help yourself.

Something occurred to me when I watched you fight today.

"There's a man fighting for his life. A priest."

A priest who's willing to risk his life to save others.

Only such a priest could bless our marriage.

- They're preparing the church now. - When were you going to tell me?

I'd give you plenty of time to change.

Finally, Hedvig!

Thank you.

Ludwig Trulsson.

Will you do us the honor of marrying Hedvig and I?

In the presence of God?

I doubt that God will be in attendance.

What was that?

You've killed a man today.

Are you sure that God has already forgiven you?

They'll kill him now.

My name is Gabriel Lejonhufvud. I'm the one who shot your husband.

May we come in?

The children shouldn't have to see him. I'll have the body moved.

- You shot my husband. - Yes.

- In the back! - That's right.

I'm here to ask you people to come to your senses.

Sweden is being attacked.

Denmark strikes when we're weak.

So what do we do? We defend ourselves. And why?

They won't settle for Blekinge, Halland, Bohusl�n, and Sk�ne.

I'm here to let you know what the price is for those who turn on us.

Treason will cost each village every tenth able-bodied man.

It's a low price to pay.

- You have a woman with you. - Hedvig.

- She's beautiful. - Yes, wonderful.

- She'll be my wife in an hour. - You're getting married?

If I were to shoot her, she'll never be your wife.

She'll just be a smelly corpse.

What would that be like?

- Now you know how I feel. - No.

You've lost your husband. But you can meet someone else.

But losing Hedvig would be completely different.

I'm talking about a love that's greater than you can imagine.

You've lost a provider. There are plenty of those.

I'd lose my own blood.

Welcome to Sk�ne.

Nils!

- How are you? - Fine.

You see the soldiers up there? The war-chest.

Nils, come with me.

- Halt! - Drop your weapons!

We'll die now.

Spread out!

Spread out!

I'm Gabriel Lejonhufvud. Advisor to Charles XI.

Come forward!

We're looking for a woman taken by snapphanes. Come forward!

The war-chest contained copper coins worth 30,000 daler.

Enough to decide the fight for Sk�ne.

Snapphanes aren't welcome here!

Lejonhufvud is coming here. You'll need help to resist him.

We have enough troubles. Leave!

He'll offer you Swedish liberty. Is that what you want?

At least we'll get to keep our lives!

Haven't you heard? He's executing every tenth able-bodied peasant.

Only if you go against the Swedes. Now you listen to me, snapphane!

If you don't leave here right quick, you won't be alive for long.

Go ahead. Shoot me first. My life's worthless anyway.

The Swedes burned down my farm.

They murdered my family.

I'm here to tell you that the same will happen to you.

You'll have to spill your blood.

Those who survive will long for a revenge that you'll never get.

You'll spend the rest of your lives consumed by hate!

If that's what you want, there's nothing more to say.

We'll keep going.

- But fighting the Swedes... - We've brought copper coins.

- It won't be enough. - Bigscared.

- Courtesy of the Swedes. - That can feed and arm everyone.

It's good Swedish copper.

What does it say?

"Follow the girl."

Black Stina.

- Roosman. - I heard you were here.

- I thought I'd warn you. - Warn us? About the Swedes?

There's something...

There's something else out there in the woods.

- It's... - What?

It's... It's terrible.

Didn't you see what happened to my men?

We were attacked.

All of a sudden... he just turned up.

They call him The Lone Rider.

Nobody knows who he is, but everyone knows what he does.

He kills snapphanes.

I'm only alive thanks to the grace of God.

Well, I've warned you now.

- Where are you going? - I'm running away.

Stay and fight with us.

Swedes don't scare me. But ghosts...

"The foremost snapphane..."

Make sure that the villagers are prepared.

- Where will we meet up? - The Tykarp Caves.

Let's get started.

Retreat!

TOMMARP LEJONHUFVUD'S CAMP

Get out.

Get out of here!

Your Majesty!

Report.

A battle is inevitable. The Danes need Sandby as much as we do.

We're prepared. We'll win.

So peace is imminent? We do want peace, right?

Of course.

But...?

Sweden can become powerful again. And wealthy.

We can keep going after we defeat the Danes.

We just need to control the countries around the Baltic.

One nation. One force. Dominum maris baltici.

And Your Majesty will govern it from Stockholm.

There are rumors about a missing war-chest. Are they true?

They're true.

The Council will be informed and they'll blame you.

- What would You have me do? - Find the war-chest, of course!

Why won't you take the troops into the woods?

- I don't have enough men. - Men?

We'll get a squadron together and clean up.

- Hedvig. - Hedvig?

The snapphanes took Hedvig.

If we go into the woods, I'm afraid we might lose her.

We'll give you three days. Then We'll summon a squadron.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What about her?

We'll keep her as long as she means something to Lejonhufvud.

- And then what? - What do you think?

- But she's innocent. - Hey there! Save some food for us.

You have two hungry brothers here.

- How did it go in Harl�sa? - We crushed them. And Vellinge?

Lejonhufvud's been defeated by five dirty snapphanes.

We had fifteen men. Peasants. We'd placed some...

- Head into the cave. - What's wrong?

Head into the cave.

- What's going on? - I don't know.

Nice and easy.

No, no, no! Get up!

It's The Lone Rider!

He'll find us, and we'll die!

David? Isn't there another...?

- He got me. - No, it's not that bad.

I'll carry you.

I'll stay here. Try to get away when he follows me.

When all this is over, we'll rebuild the farm again. You and me, David.

- Say it will be so! - Josua. Go.

- Josua! - Go.

- For Sk�ne. - For Sk�ne!

Here's an exit! I found it.

I have to rest.

Nils, the war-chest! Run!

- Don't. - It's okay.

Who was that?

What are you doing?

- I have to find the others. - Don't leave me here!

- I'll come get you later. - Don't leave me here, Nils!

- How are the brothers? - Josua won't come out.

He's looking for David in there.

- Where's the war-chest? - Over there.

It was here.

Jesus said to the people: