Original subtitles

GOLDFEVER TOOK HIS LIFE

Arvid ! One of your donkeys has got loose. We need to find it before he wakes up.

Don't exhaust yourself making your own clothes. From now on you can afford to buy your dresses.

I'm not buying silk and velvet to begin with.

There are a thousand things I need more than that

-You are a good person' Robert. -You've always been kind to me.

You've had a tough time over there. It's a good thing you came out of it alive.

Alive. . .

You think I got out of it. . .

POISONUS WATER

Why daren't you tell us that Arvid is dead?

What?

That first night you told us Arvid had stayed behind in the gold fields.

You didn't say he had lost his life.

Who doesn't loose their life over there' do you think?

Everyone on the gold trail looses their life' one way or another.

Why do you always speak in riddles?! Why can't you just tell us the truth for once.

Your burning up! I think you have a fever.

At least we are brothers. Why won't you tell me?

That first night when I got home you said : ''''Stop lying.''''

I had started to tell you' but you didn't believe me.

You said : ''''I know you've come home without a nickel to your name.''''

Sit down' Robert. Sit.

Can't we be close again?

Why did you hide the watch?

Nobody thinks you have killed Arvid and stolen his belongings.

Maybe your guess is correct. Maybe it was me that killed Arvid !

Now your fantasising again.

One day he wanted to turn back' but I. . .

I can't take it any more. Leave me alone!

I can't stand it. . . forgive me!

DANGER! GOLDFEVER

Robert! Have you never been to a doctor?

-I'm 22 years old. I'm healthy. -It could be something dangerous.

-It could be something fatal. -Fatal. . .?

Kristina' you don't think I'm afraid of dying do you?

Isn't everyone afraid of dying' Robert?

Not me. Death can't do anything to me.

Don't say such things!

Nothing that happens can touch me any more. Neither good nor bad.

-And do you know why? -No. Tell me' Robert.

Because I have accepted my destiny That is all.

Do you understand what I am saying' Kristina?

I am not arrogant.

I would rather humble myself. Accept what there is.

Here you have you pocket money back! Use them next time you go to the loo!

Pick the shit up! I can manage without your useless money.

Are you insane? Throwing away all that money.

''''Nothing worth''''' that's what the bank said. They're not worth a shilling.

No' that can't be true.

Are you saying. . .? Are you denying it' you devils liar?!

Your so full of lies they come up to above your ears.

You have spread you lies' but it ends here.

Why can't you speak to each other like normal people.

I always thought the money was good.

It's called ''''wildcat money''''. I told you that first night. . .

there we have it! You knew. You admit it.

He knew it was ''''wildcat money''''' just like they told me in the bank.

He did it on purpose. Threw his filthy money at us. !

I had no intention of tricking anyone Listen to me. . .

Shut your mouth ! And you're meant to be my brother you god damn devils trickster.

To think one would have to go through ones who life being ashamed of ones own brother.

-I would never think. . . -I'll shut your lying mouth for you !

-Have you gone insane?! -I was just going to shut his lying mouth.

Are you badly hurt?

No' I don't think so.

It's nothing

It's nothing. It's not even bleeding.

'Lier-mouth' doesn't bleed.

Now we are going to have a talk. Tell me the truth' Robert.

Dear' sweet Kristina ! I had no intention of tricking anyone.

I didn't want to trick anyone. I'm not lying. I didn't know.

Since I never touched the money.

For I was saving them for you and Kristina.

I'm sorry' Robert. I was out of it earlier' can you forgive me?

I forgive you' Karl Oskar.

It is forgiven. Remember that.

You are my only brother' Karl Oskar.

But I would like to ask you to. . .

But it's too late now.

Too late for everything.

HERE RESTS ROBERT NILSSON BORN IN LJUDER IN SWEDEN 1833

DIED IN MINNESOTA NORTH AMERI CA 1855' MAY I REST IN PEACE

''''and to withdraw. . .''''

''''. . .for ever' all allegiance. . .'''' we better find out what that means.

-''''and fide. . .'''' what does that mean? -''''Fidelity''''.

-Fidelity. -Are you sure about that' Johan?

-Aren't we going to be Swedish any more? -In Sweden we have been struck off the register.

We are American citizens now.

Imagine if I were to use the name they have given me here ''''Chariest O. Nelson.''''

What do you think about that' Kristina?

I don't think so. You may resign obedience to the Swedish King'-

-but if you change your name' I will laugh at you' for that is vanity

Next time I get to vote for president

The American authorities have been gentle with us.

Maybe that is the right way to say it.

You always say things should be done ''''this way''''. It is ''''this way'''' !

Really? Oh well. Yes' maybe your right.

Of course I'm right. You just don't want to admit it.

You ''''closer'''' the door' ''''putter'''' in firewood and ''''putter'''' out the fire-

- when it really is to close the door' put more firewood in and put out the fire.

Okay' okay. I better keep my mouth shut the rest of the evening then.

Mother' listen to this: “Last year 25.000 of Elias Howell’s"-

-''''sewing machine with wheel were produced and sold''''-

-''''In America.'''' Doesn't mother want a sewing machine?

Dear Karl Oskar. Put in some more firewood and I'll make us some supper.

I can't put it off any longer. I am signing up' or they will draft me.

-You don't have to yet. -I might well do.

They can start drafting people on the 1st of October

Wait till then.

It is more honourable to go of ones own free will

Are you going to war of your own free will?

If I could get away for an honourable price' I wouldn't go at all.

In that way I would be dumping my responsibilities on someone else.

Are you saying you are joining up so you can have a clear conscience?

Yes' exactly. Yes' that's it.

What does you conscience tell you about the fifth commandment?

Thou shalt not kill.

Yes' well' that doesn't apply to war.

-Where does it say that war is exempt. -Doesn't a man have the right to defend himself?

That is what the other guy is saying as you kill him ''''I have a right to defend myself.''''

Kristina' are you against me doing this?

I don't want your hands to kill anyone.

I don't want you to have to live with the regret for eternity.

If you take the life of another' you loose your own.

I don't want you to be lost afterwards.

I am thinking of your eternal life.

So' that's what you mean.

It will not be sin if I kill my enemy in war.

Not for God' nor for humans.

It's the slave owners in the south who started this' we must be allowed to defend ourselves.

A Christian is not allowed to go out and kill people.

But I have to. For my peace of mind' Kristina !

I don't want you to become a murderer.

But if you must go' then go. For your peace of mind.

Take a deep breath. Breath out.

You'll make a good soldier. Get dressed.

Sir? Come back here.

Bend your knees.

Walk around the table.

Run !

I'm sorry' but you have a bad leg. I'm sorry' it's a shame.

If I were a man I would be proud not to be suited for killing.

Now you get to have me home for as long as the war lasts.

Yes. . . There are those that eat their own kids-

-when they have nothing left to live off.

The soldiers in Red Wood-

-showed me a bunch of gnawed up skeletons of eaten Indian children.

But the stores were full of food. The Indians food.

But the government didn't want to listen to their claim'-

-so they are not allowed to eat their own food.

How can they just accept that?

What are they meant to do? Starve to death?

Or kill others?

-What ''''others''''? -Well' have a guess.

Those how have stolen their lands' of course.

-And who would that be? -This entire country has been stolen from the Indians

The whole country? I haven't stolen any land.

I've paid the government for every acre I've got.

Yes. . . but you bought stolen property.

Are you accusing me of dodgy dealings?

You acted honourable enough. You acted in accordance with the law.

But that law was created after the fact' after they had stolen the land.

and what did they pay them for the land?

One daler for 20 000 acres of the most fertile soil in the world.

When I got here' there was only wild grasses here.

Now there are crops that can sustain us and others.

I earned the soil when I ploughed and cultivated it.

Yes' but you had bought it cheap' Nelson.

Forgive me what I asked for this summer.

Because I didn't want any more children.

Now you have shown me you wanted things differently.

You must exist' God.

Do you hear me? You must exist!

Of course your waiting for us' Karl Oskar. We stayed too long.

Bu there we so many before us' and when it was finally our turn'-

-a man who had had his nose saw of came in.

His face looked like mince meat.

A shame with such a nice man.

-I'm going to make dinner. -So' what did the doctor say?

We have plenty of time to talk about this later. Kristina has had her examination.

-There is nothing really wrong. -Well' does it hurt anywhere?

-You promised you would explain it to Karl Oskar. -Yes' I did' my friend.

Come along' Karl Oskar' let's go into the kitchen and talk about it.

Kristina is broken inside And now she can't take anymore.

Not a single time more. The next pregnancy will mean death for Kristina.

Now you've heard it' so now you know. Literally the doctor said :

''''Next childbed will be her death.'''' So now you've heard it in English too

Your wife will be fine and healthy' as long as you take good care of her.

Take care of Kristina' Karl Oskar. And don't make her pregnant.

I'm sorry for you' having to sleep on your own from now on.

-I'm no good anymore -You health is the only important thing.

But I can't stand by you any longer. I'm used up.

You heard me. The only important thing.

I'm a useless woman. You no longer have a real wife' Karl Oskar.

I'm no good.

I've spoiled my health here.

Not everyone can take it

You have to stop drinking' Månsson. You're ruining everything.

I have ruined my mother' is that what you mean' Nelson.

You're ruining yourself as well. Stop drinking !

Have you ever even tried to stop drinking?

Every day for 10 years.

Then why can you stop?

Because. . .because I'm afraid. Afraid.

Afraid ! Afraid !

You can't. . . You can't. . .

Then what are you afraid of?

Mother!

-Are you up? -Yes.

-Are you ill' Kristina? -No.

Then what is wrong with you?

I am coming back to you' Karl Oskar.

What are you saying?

I want to be your wife again.

I have come back to you. Do you want me?

You don't know what you are doing. You're rushing into this

Don't worry. I know what I am doing.

We can't risk your life.

Only the almighty controls my life.

It's too dangerous. How can you dare do this?

Easy. I don't care about the doctor. I'm putting my faith in God.

If I live it is his will. If I die it is his will.

Karl Oskar' I am pregnant again. Now don't be afraid.

Things have always worked out before. Why wouldn't they this time.

I have worked it out. In February.

It is due in February.

So it was in May. That very first time' I see that.

That's not so strange' or what do you think?

Are the others Swedes?

-From Småland? -From Småland.

Now they're running around in the potato field

little boy. . .

I think we are getting visitors.

Really? Do we know them?

Yes' they have been here before and been given food. I will talk to them.

Satan !

-How close are they? Have you heard anything? -No' nobody knows anything for sure.

At last nights meeting we agreed that we were going to resist' use force.

They could be here at any time. We don't have enough soldiers.

I can't come. Kristina is bedridden. She's had another accident.

I can understand you wanting to stay home.

You've never been one to shit your pants in fear.

But you need to get the children to safety. I'll see to it they leave with the others.

One should be spared war when one has reached a certain age.

-We would be safest hiding on the island -Don't' you trust God?

-He helps him who helps himself -That is what I have always believed.

Lincoln has been to easy on them. The heathens should have been driven off log ago.

The white man gives the red man the gospel' and the red man repays it with a war axe.

Perhaps they would rather have had bread than sermons.

Try swallowing that now.

Take this.

I though I would be allowed to keep it this time.

-I was so sure. -Yes' but as long as you get well. . .

You shouldn't worry' Karl Oskar.

I'll be fine soon.

I know.

-They are ringing the church bells on a week day. -It sounds like it.

-Why? -I wonder.

-Maybe they are ringing for someone who has. . . -Don't worry' Karl Oskar.

-You remember what I told you. -Yes' I remember. I know.

Karl Oskar. . .

-Is it morning already? -Yes' but it is still early.

It's so quiet.

Is nobody but you up?

-Are all the kids sleeping? -Yes' I think so.

-I've been asleep for a long time . -Yes' you've been sleeping for a good while.

I was dreaming that I was winging in the ox reins.

We were at home in the barn

Do you want anything?

Just some water

Thank you.

My love' you must keep still. You must lie still !

I'm not sick. I'm just very tired

You're still too weak. You must lie still.

Karl Oskar. . .

-You're here' Karl Oskar. -I must have woken you.

-Was I whimpering? -No' not a pip.

-I'm better now. -Is that really true?

You don't have to sit by me' anymore.

Tonight you can sleep' Karl Oskar.

Look here. Your glass apples are ripe.

Have you seen such a thing? You have to taste our first apple.

This is the first apple from your apple tree.

-Do you want to taste it? -It feels so smooth.

-It is tender and ripe. -It smells good.

Can you manage a bite? Glass apples are so fresh.

-Where did you get that? -From your apple tree outside.

It is the first apple we have harvested from the tree.

I see it now.

-It's a glass apple! -It sure is.

It tastes like our apples.

Like our apples at home!

I recognise it.

Our glass apples are ripe.

But I am home!

Kristina ! Stop!

Dear sister Lydia Karlsson

The glass apple tree has fruit.

I haven't recovered from Kristina's death. God took her from me.

How can you ask me to forgive God after this?

Hurry up kids! It's time for food.

LJUDER COUNTY

HERE LIES KRISTINA JOHANSDOTTER KARL OSKAR NILSSONS WIFE

BORN IN DUVEMÅLA IN SWEDEN 1825 DIED IN NORTH AMERI CA 1862

''''Chicago Lake Settlement' Centre City Minnesota the 20th of December 1890.''''

''''Mrs Lydia Karlsson' Akerby in Ljuder County' Sweden.''''

''''Since I am an old neighbour of your brother Charles''''''-

-''''he asked me on several occasions to write to his sister in Sweden when he passed away.''''

''''Your brothers children have forgotten their Swedish' and only write in English now.''''

''''I am hereby' on behalf of his children' informing you that your brother's life has ended''''-

-''''on the 7th of December last year' in the evening''''

''''At 9 o'clock he was up and ate his evening meal''''-

-''''he washed' straightened himself out and prepared himself for bed.''''

''''Thereafter he went to bed' and at 11 o'clock his spirit was set free.''''

''''He passed away in his sleep.''''

''''Your brother Nelsons family''''-

-''''send you their heartfelt greetings.''''

''''I call for Gods blessing and eternal peace over old motherland.''''

''''Kind Regards AxeI J. Andersson.''''

Text: EvilPenguin Productions