Original subtitles

- I don't want anyone to support me. - My divorce is final.

- Can't I even give a short message? - No. Sorry. You're disconnected.

- I was married. - Was it long ago?

- They're having a banquet. - I won't celebrate under a swastika.

- What about Aalborg airport? - There are guards everywhere.

- Arne Kokholm works there. - May I call you Alice?

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Did I wake you when I left? - No.

- Did you sleep well? - I never slept better.

- We forgot the blackout curtains. - So we did. Here you are.

- Did anyone see you? - No.

I even remembered to mess up the bed in my room.

I have to go to Copenhagen for a few days.

The Germans want us to double our export of medicine. We're pressed for time.

I intend to bargain with them. If I'm to accommodate them -

- they'll have to grant a good friend an import license.

We talked about this, Johan. Don't do it for my sake.

It bothers me that you have tobacco stuck in Rotterdam.

It's too risky. Don't put your export market at risk.

As you wish.

Mr. Ramsing is leaving today, but he'll return in a few days.

Mrs. Frigh will be alone. Haven't you noticed that they're always together?

- That doesn't have to mean anything. - But she has to do without Bertha too.

- I wonder how they manage in the tent. - Don't we feed them?

- The young lady prefers independence. - Then that's a good question.

- Love and fresh air. - Yes.

Frau Berggren?

Helene, I had a terrible nightmare.

How awful.

I dreamed that Fl�gelhorn found out that I sang for the Germans.

Edward, he hasn't found out and he won't. Let's have breakfast.

The boys are ready.

And he was yelling at me. "You have ruined my film.

Can't you see that I can't use you now, Weyse?"

It was very vivid.

- Fl�gelhorn. - Good morning, Weyse.

- What's wrong? Rough night? - No, I slept like a baby.

- And you? - A German soldier just brought these.

A German soldier?

- That can't be right. - Your name is on the card.

- That doesn't make sense. - Yes, it's because... Oh, right.

- Here. - Thank you, Edith.

What's this all about?

It must from the ones who wanted you to perform in the Skaw.

Yes, Helene. I think you're right.

The Germans found out that Edward was vacationing here.

- Yes, they did. - They wanted him to perform for them.

- Obviously, Edward declined. - I declined.

- They think flowers will help. - Well, they can forget that!

We're on our way down to breakfast. Won't you join us?

I've had mine. I'll take a walk on the stony beach.

When I return, we could work if you have the time.

Naturally. I'll look forward to it.

- They thank you for your performance. - Get rid of them!

- Good morning, Uncle Hjalmar! - Good morning, boys.

Good morning.

- It's unheard of! - Come in and have breakfast.

Guess what our foreign minister says.

"With the great German victories that fill us with admiration -

- a new era has begun in Europe."

How can a Danish minister express admiration for Hitler?

Helene, let's go inside before the boys knock everything over.

- Coming, Hjalmar? - He'll come.

- What's wrong with Aurland now? - It's the paper again.

- Have you seen the paper? - No, you always get to it first.

- Scavenius praises the Germans. - Oh. What's the weather report?

- I beg your pardon? - Will it rain? We're going to Aalborg.

- Have you seen the paper? - Not yet.

The foreign minister expresses admiration for the German victories.

"A new era has begun that will bring a new order -

- as regard politics under the leadership of Germany."

- That's rather bombastic. - How much must we kowtow for them?

Coming, Therese?

I read the paper. It's scandalous that we have to submit to the Germans.

I'm glad that there's one decent person here.

- Shall I fry an egg for you? - That's very kind.

But I lost my appetite.

- Hello, Emma. - Hi.

- You don't remember me. - You're at the hotel.

Right now I'm living in a tent. Are those rabbits yours?

They're Grandpa's. Morten just visited us.

- But he left already. - Did he?

- Is Mrs. Andersen home? - She's inside.

Hello? Mrs. Andersen?

- Is that you, Bertha? - May I buy some vegetables?

I heard that you're not at the hotel. What do you need?

- Some carrots and potatoes. - We have some.

You can go and get them. How do you manage to cook?

- We make a fire. - I can boil the potatoes for you.

You can collect them at dinnertime.

That's very kind of you. Thank you.

- Who was that? - Bertha. Mrs. Frigh's daughter.

- She's living in a tent with her beau. - The one who works in the peat bog?

Yes. Bertha asked if she could work there too.

- But Aage won't hire girls. - Why would she want to work?

The guests don't appreciate my new addition to the buffet.

They're creatures of habit, Philip.

I'll just have to eat it myself.

- Who's the letter from? - My wife.

The lovely Mitzi? Goodness. Does she want you to come home?

She's back from Germany and heard I reported my stepfather to the police.

She wants me to withdraw it -

- so the Danish Nazis can have their rally at Frijsenholm.

For Wilhelm's sake. She says our son has looked forward to it.

Why would he?

Because his mother is a Nazi and vacations in Germany.

- He's only seven. - They start early in Germany.

What are you going to do?

Nothing can be done. The boy is brainwashed.

Mitzi has spoiled him rotten.

I'm going Frijsenholm to tell my stepfather -

- that it'll be on his head if there's a conflict between the police and Nazis.

- Shouldn't you let it go, Ditmar? - No, I shouldn't.

- Is this about Wilhelm? - What do you mean?

You feel guilty about leaving him in his mother's care.

- That's why you attack your stepfather. - You're sweet, Philip.

- But you're getting things mixed up. - Am I?

I'll be back tomorrow.

Didn't he have breakfast?

He feels that his worst fears are coming true.

- Mr. Aurland is a true humanitarian. - They're always disappointed.

- What do you mean? - It's every man for himself.

The foreign minister thought that he had to praise the Germans -

- to make his job easier.

Olga, we have to do something.

Send a letter of protest or bring Mr. Aurland some breakfast?

- We're going to the Skaw tonight. - Not again, Lydia.

It's just what we need.

In Aalborg, 1,500 people came to the sing-along.

- In a gravel pit in the pouring rain. - But they showed their patriotism.

We can do that tonight in the Skaw.

How can we change the cowardice of our government by singing a song?

Well, I'm definitely going!

I'll ask the other guests if they'd like to come.

Ane said you talked to Leslie a few days ago.

- He called to talk to his mother. - Does he know that Anders is...?

- Yes. I told him. - What did he say?

What is there to say? Edith, there's no need for this.

Leslie and I only talked last summer. That's all it was.

Did he throw out the flowers? What a shame.

- Do you want them? - Flowers from the Germans? No thanks.

No, sorry. We're going to a client dinner in Aalborg.

That's too bad. Well, it can't be helped.

Unfortunately. Enjoy your evening.

- Why is our dinner a secret? - I said it was for a client.

Why not say who the client is? Why do I have to say:

- "I don't know"? - Because it confuses them.

Are you ashamed? Of building for them?

- I have nothing to be ashamed of. - I'd hate to socialize with Germans.

We're not socializing, Therese. It's just a dinner.

What's next? Praising them like the foreign minister?

Of course not...

Yes?

- Pardon the intrusion. - Business? I'm leaving.

Come in, Molin. What's wrong? Don't you feel well?

- I tried calling Stockholm again. - Did it go better this time?

No. Absolutely not.

I implored that censor woman to let me give a short message.

What's that woman made of? She's hard as flint.

She was insensible to the fact that I wanted to tell Alma...

- That you're on the market. - Yes.

Now listen, Molin.

If a private conversation is prohibited, why not make it sound like business?

- How on earth can I do that? - Come now.

You're not the type to run out of good ideas.

We've come to the climax where the plot thickens -

- and the scales fall from the audience's eyes. Page 86. Alright?

Yes. Yes.

- You have read it, haven't you? - Indeed. Naturally.

You're with Black Else, a prostitute, in the red-light district.

Suddenly you see a flash of light across the courtyard.

God! It's a fire. Where is the fire? In your own apartment!

- Is my apartment on fire? - No, Jastrau's is. The main character.

Indeed. I knew that.

This is where we truly sense Jastrau's devastating indifference.

His despondency. He's practically stimulated by the fire.

He fantasizes about it being fatal arson.

That someone is dead in there, and he killed them. Isn't it wonderful?

That's how great his self-hatred is. He loses faith in morality altogether.

He dreams of bombed train stations and sudden death. And that's what he gets.

Look around you. All over Europe. The Nazis are gaining ground.

Are you listening at all to what I'm saying?

- Yes. Every single word. - Do you agree?

Completely.

What is it you find so distracting?

Yes?

Excuse me, there's a phone call for Mr. Fl�gelhorn.

- Can't you see that we're working? - It's Nordisk Film calling.

The gentleman said it was urgent.

In that case...

I'll be back in a minute.

I'm packed. And Driver Larsen has been called.

- I'd like to go with you. - I'll be back soon, sweetie.

I couldn't resist calling the exchange office.

I'm going to a meeting there. You must have your tobacco.

If I can help, I will. And I'll pay for it.

There's a limit to what you should do for me.

Driver Larsen is already here. I'll walk you out.

- So you're still here? - Yes, of course.

Lovely.

Sorry about the interruption. That was my assistant.

He wanted me to know what was going on in Copenhagen.

Do you remember I said that the directors are groveling for the Germans?

- Yes. I believe you mentioned that. - Yes, I believe I did.

My assistant visited a place -

- where Danish henchmen help the Germans edit their disgusting newsreels.

- Do you know what he saw? - No.

He saw you.

- Me? - Yes, you, Weyse.

Entertaining German soldiers with German songs in the Skaw.

- I can explain. - You told me it was at a parish hall.

Yes, I know. But I was coerced.

The German commandant came here and threatened to take over the hotel.

I was under great pressure from the other guests.

What about my film, Weyse?

Imagine that you're seen in every cinema as a Nazi sympathizer.

I need someone who hasn't taken a political side.

- And I haven't. I wouldn't ever! - But that's what it will look like.

- Is it really that bad? - Bad? You've ruined my film!

Don't you see? I can't use you now, Weyse.

Oh! Oh, here you both are. How lovely.

A few of us are going to the Skaw tonight for the sing-along.

It would be lovely if you'd come.

Isn't that what we need to demonstrate?

That we're Danish and stick together in these hard times.

- Move! - Excuse me?

- Move! - Yes.

So this is where you are.

Fl�gelhorn left.

He's been fighting for his film for two years now.

What have I done? My career is ruined. It's over!

I won't even be offered "The Uncle from America" again.

I might as well drown myself now.

Mrs. Madsen took a dip today and said it was freezing.

Come, Edward. Let's go back to the boys.

The maids saved you some lunch.

- He didn't eat much. - Mr. Weyse just wanted to lie down.

Didn't he notice a man with a film camera?

Mrs. Weyse didn't notice it either. Maybe the camera was hidden.

- The nerve! - That must've been the point all along.

To use him as propaganda.

And I'm the one who convinced him. Damn it!

Thank you, but I'm expecting a business call, so I'll stay here.

I see. I'll ask Mr. Ramsing.

- He left. - Did he?

He had business in Copenhagen, but he'll be back. He said so.

I see. Well, I thought I'd ask anyway.

It's kind of you.

Have you found out how many guests are going to the sing-along?

I don't know if it'll amount to anything. No one wants to go.

Olga says that if it's only the two of us, she won't go either.

I'd like to come. I switched shifts.

Really? I'll tell Olga. Then at least there'll be three of us.

Oooh, that cake looks good. Who ordered coffee?

Mr. Aurland. Shall I bring you some?

Please. For both of us.

- Your coffee, Mr. Aurland. - Thank you.

Did you hear about Mr. Weyse? He was filmed for the German newsreel.

Mr. Fl�gelhorn got a call from someone who saw it.

That doesn't surprise me at all. That's the German way.

They don't stop till everyone joins them.

- Like Foreign Minister Scavenius? - If only he were the only one.

I just got a letter from my head clerk.

This will also affect you as a teacher, Miss Otilia.

An obligatory autumn course in German is planned -

- for all school teachers as well as a revision of all textbooks -

- so they represent the Nazi point of view.

- I can't believe it! - It's a burgeoning tendency.

I thought it was only in Norway, but of course it'll happen here.

I know Mrs. Ploug asked you, but won't you come to the Skaw tonight?

It'll take more than singing patriotic songs to stop this madness.

Isn't it just pitching nationalisms against each other?

- What do you mean, you're not going? - They'll take advantage of us.

- Just like they did with Mr. Weyse. - That pinhead is completely clueless.

How could he not see a film camera?

The Germans won't be taking me for a ride.

Then give them my regards. I'm going to the sing-along in the Skaw.

Mrs. Madsen is going to the Skaw.

- I think we should too. - Then you do that.

All four of us. It's just what you need.

A sing-along. So someone might have filmed you...

Not "someone might have". Someone did! It'll be in the Danish cinemas soon.

Before that happens, you'll be standing with Danes singing protest songs.

Several reporters will be there according to Mrs. Ploug.

Before long, the whole country will know that Mr. Weyse and family -

- have shown their patriotic character.

- Character. I don't have any. - Yes, you do.

We'll leave after dinner.

Yes?

Your call to Stockholm is ready. Will you take it up here?

- Hello? - Hello?

Good afternoon. Is that Mrs. Alma Molin, the actress?

- Is that you again, August? - Censor here. Is this private?

No, not at all.

My name is Axel Mortensen. I'm calling from the Danish Film Industry.

Mrs. Molin, I'm glad I have the chance to talk to you.

Yes?

Did you read the film script I sent you?

Unfortunately, I haven't received a film script.

It didn't reach you. I'm sorry to hear it.

We hope that you will be interested in the part.

- What part? What is it about? - It's very interesting.

The film is about a married couple who drifted apart -

- because the husband didn't have an eye for his wife's deepest desires.

Yes? So far it sounds realistic.

And it doesn't stop there. Sadly, the husband marries someone else -

- and is helped by his father-in-law's money.

But he can't forget his first wife -

- and feels that their breakup was his biggest mistake.

- He should've thought of that before. - You're quite right. Quite right.

He intends to make up for it by divorcing his second wife -

- and disregarding his father-in-law's money. He proposes to the woman -

- he never should've left.

Perhaps I wasn't following along, but didn't she leave him?

Yes. The plot is a bit hazy about that.

That's what I thought happened.

The crucial question in the film is: Will she take him back? And say yes?

She does. She does. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.

I'll gladly come to Stockholm to discuss it.

I'll think about it. Goodbye.

Yes. Goodbye, Mrs. Molin.

- Telephone call. - For me?

Who is it?

Someone you only talked to last summer.

- Hello? - Leslie here. Is this a bad time?

- No. - I just wanted to say...

I was shocked by what you said. That Anders was killed by the Germans.

I told my mother. I thought she knew, but she didn't.

I only told Mrs. Fjelds� and you. None of the other guests.

- I didn't want them to talk. - I'm sorry I told her.

That's alright. Now it's out in the open.

- I should head home. - Are you working late on a Saturday?

- I'm busy before my vacation. - So you get a vacation. Where to?

To the hotel. My mother hopes I can lure Bertha back.

- Then I'll see you. - We're both coming.

- My fianc�e wants to see the North Sea. - I understand.

- I'll let you go. - Thanks for calling. Goodbye.

There you are. They're almost done. Have a seat.

- Can you keep warm in the tent? - It can be a bit cold at night.

Yes, I should think so.

Emma said that Morten came for a visit.

- Traveling from England isn't possible. - It wasn't easy.

- Some hot food in the tent is nice. - Yes.

Here, Bertha. Some potatoes and some chicken and asparagus.

- You shouldn't have. - There's no stopping her.

- I'll bring the bowls back later. - Wait till tomorrow.

- Thank you very much. - Don't mention it.

- What was that about Morten? - Emma told her.

- Did she say he went to Aalborg? - It didn't sound like it.

- You're back. - My arms are about to fall off.

- Where did you get that? - Mrs. Andersen. You asked her for work.

She used to run the hotel. A great cook. I asked if I could buy some vegetables.

- She cooked chicken for us. - For the director's daughter.

It's not like that. That's just what she's like.

- So? What do we say? - Fine.

- Or have your bread and sausage. - Since she made it, give me some.

Yes. After you've washed up.

- Should I wear a tie as well? - Yes. And nothing else.

The German lieutenant is on the phone for you, Mrs. Berggren.

Tell him I don't have time. We have to serve dinner.

- Shall I tell him you'll call him back? - No, do not tell him that.

Let's have a cognac.

The F�hrer doesn't smoke or drink, but all of us can't be so perfect.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a great follower of the F�hrer.

Without him we would be nothing. Nothing at all.

- Let's sit down. - It's already late.

- We must soon retire. - After we've had a cognac.

Sit down, gentlemen.

Thanks for your kind words, Mr. Madsen. And for your translation, Mr. Molin.

It's a shame that your wife has a sore throat -

- and couldn't come. She would have been proud of you.

- Won't you translate? - No, I understood.

Your German is improving, Mr. Madsen. Soon you'll join our ranks.

You'll find out how fun it is to be on the winning team.

It's intoxicating. Your new foreign minister has shown the way.

No thank you. I'm driving.

We have a long drive ahead of us.

Stay till tomorrow. We have plenty of room.

Then we can inspect the airport after breakfast.

Surely you can make this sacrifice for the sake of our cooperation.

Naturally.

To a good collaboration, gentlemen.

It's wonderful when Germans and Danes get to know each other.

You should have come. It was a wonderful evening.

- I'm glad to hear it. - There were at least 300 of us.

Yes, we weren't alone.

I'll say! People gathered around us because Mr. Weyse was with us.

- I could have done without that. - I'm telling Mrs. Frigh about it.

- It was a fine experience. - It was very intense.

- We stood there feeling the solidarity. - I asked the other maids.

- Mr. Ramsing hasn't called. - Oh.

Well, if he does call, I'll be in my room.

- Why should he call? He just left. - You remember what love is like.

Good Lord!

Yes?

- Do you have a moment? - Yes, of course.

Please sit down.

At the sing-along last night, I couldn't help thinking about what you said.

That teachers must take a course in German, and textbooks will be revised.

- Should we just accept it? - It's been decided.

What if the teachers refuse? It's probably true -

- that singing Danish songs won't help -

- but you work in the ministry and are in contact with those in power.

Why keep that information to yourself? Tell the teachers' union and colleges.

- Then I'm sure they'll protest. - As a civil servant I can't do that.

You once said that the best thing a sensible person could do -

- was to worry about the new generation and avoid another Germany.

- Did I? - Yes, you did, Mr. Aurland.

And now I'll say the same to you.

- Hi, Arne. - So now you're in Aalborg.

- I wish it was for a different reason. - I was sorry to hear about the ship.

- We have them to thank for it. - I had hoped we could get closer.

- You can't see much from here. - They're building on the other side.

Three runways. Each a kilometer long.

Have you been inside?

Yes, until they found out how I feel about it all.

I'm not good enough to deliver cement anymore.

Others can help you. The contractors are Danish.

I won't get Wright, Thomsen & Kier to give me the plans.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

- I'll tell the English what I've heard. - When do you go back?

As soon as possible. My family and business are waiting.

- Give Fie my best. - I will. Thanks for coming.

- That looked like... - It is. There's no mistaking that car.

I heard about another contractor. That'll make it easy for you.

You can get the plans from your old partner.

The German lieutenant is on the phone asking for you.

It's unbelievable! He's dense. Ane, tell him I don't have time.

- I don't know how to say it in German. - I'll tell him myself.

- Are we finished upstairs? - Nana and Edith are up there.

- What's on your mind? - Nothing.

Three months ago today, Anders died.

When they told me what had happened, it was as if I felt nothing.

My mother said it was because I was in shock, but I don't know.

Sometimes I ask myself if it was really because...

Perhaps I was actually...

- Relieved? - You'll think I'm an awful person.

Why would I?

We should never have married. Anders should never have been killed.

He should have found a woman who loved him. He deserved that.

He was a good man, but he made a mistake last year -

- and that landed him in jail.

I couldn't let him down. But it was never good.

Since last summer, there's only been one.

- Does Leslie know? - No, he doesn't.

And he shouldn't because it's not possible.

- Are you going to sleep all day? - It's Sunday.

Mrs. Andersen sends her regards. I returned her bowls.

I'm sleeping.

- Bertha? - What?

You know what happens if you keep that up.

Nothing is happening right now. Wait! Now something is.

- So you are alive! - I told you not to.

What will happen now?

- I dreamed we were having a baby. - Who would support it?

- I don't know. - That's what I thought.

My mother would have to.

She's old fashioned. If I got pregnant, she'd have to...

- Put up with me. Is that what you mean? - No.

- Then what? - Forget it.

It's what you dream of. Of going back.

Stop it. I dream of you and me.

Married in Vedb�k Church and supported by your mother.

- What I can offer isn't good enough. - Don't be childish.

No, I'm just tired of it.

I'm tired of your complaining and me being the director's daughter.

I talked about a baby, but in your black and white world -

- you don't know I meant it lovingly. You're being stupid. I'm going swimming.

Aren't you getting dressed? I just ran into Mrs. Ploug.

She was so glad you went yesterday. It was so nice to feel the love -

- when people realized you were there.

It will soon pass, Helene.

In a few days, disaster will strike at the cinemas -

- and people will despise me.

- Then go to another sing-along. - Forget it!

I'm done with singing.

No more Danish, German or English songs.

- No, it's over. - Yes?

A phone call for Mr. Weyse from Nordisk Film.

- Tell them I'm not here. - I'll take it.

Mrs. Helene Weyse here. My husband is busy. What is it?

Let me guess. Fl�gelhorn found someone else.

- It was the head of the company. - What did he want?

The film has been stopped. "Havoc" won't be made.

It's not because of you. The director has been fired.

He was found in a state of extreme intoxication.

- It's a breach of his contract. - That's not fair.

- He was under emotional strain. - That's not all.

This morning he broke into the place where the Germans edit their newsreels.

He set fire to and ruined every roll of film -

- until the watchman apprehended him.

Well, then...

- He did manage to create havoc. - Yes, you could put it that way.

And you never sang for the Germans, Edward. The evidence is gone.

You have a point. The evidence is burned!

That's wonderful, Helene!

That's wonderful!

I feel a sudden urge to sing the kind of ditty that invokes the Spring

So to spare you any pain, I'll skip the darn thing and sing the refrain

The night is young, the skies are clear

and if you want to go walkin', dear, it's delightful

it's delicious, it's de-lovely

- Is that your husband? This early? - Yes, it seems to be.

It must be due to his experience last night.

So please be sweet, my chickadee, and when I kiss ya, just say to me:

It's delightful, it's delicious, it's delectable, it's delirious

it's dilemma, it's de limit, it's deluxe, it's de...

Come, Wilhelm. Yes, this is my son.

- Hello, Wilhelm. - He's going upstairs to change.

- Who's this then? Wilhelm? - Yes, he's vacationing with Dad.

- What did his mother say? - I don't know. I told the butler.

And only him. Interesting.

- This is Leander's. I think it'll fit. - Here, Wilhelm.

You get to borrow Leander's fine shirt.

We'll shop for new clothes tomorrow when the shops open.

You look handsome. Out here by the sea, it's very windy.

And it makes your hair tousled.

- It doesn't do that to Dad's. - Right you are.

You look funny, Dad.

So do you.

Subtitles: Karen Margrete Wiin Dansk Video Tekst