Original subtitles

You're letting your hair down for the last time.

You don't know, Mother �shild, how kind my father is.

Those who don't know him cannot know -

- how kind he's always been to me.

But I have behaved shamelessly towards him.

When he thought I was at the convent, I was bedding with Erlend.

No sin is so great -

- that God's grace is not greater.

Did he not hear the dove cry so

"the hawk took my beloved away"

then he rode so far away

the hawk took to the sky

it flew to a garden far away that blooms every day

in the garden there is a hall

the walls are clad in purple

there lies a knight a'bleeding he is the great and goodly king

under a sheet of blue he lies Corpus Domini before our eyes.

Look at yourself, Kristin.

Over 600 years ago, before the plague reached Norway,-

- the J�rundg�rd people lived in The Gudbrand Valley.

When the girl Kristin was seven, her father let her come with him-

- to the summer pasture.

It was a beautiful summer morning.

She'd never been in the mountains before.

Next to Lavrans and his daughter rode Arne, Kristin's best friend.

Ulvhild wants to come!

A pleasant journey, Lavrans!

Lavrans had married young.

He was 28 and younger than his wife.

As a swain he had served the king as a housecarl-

- but after marrying he settled down on his farm.

Tastes good, does it?

Kristin knew that this was wolf and bear country-

- and behind the waterfall there lived trolls, goblins and fairies.

She was frightened because there were many more of them-

- then of Christian people.

Father!

Jesus Christ.

Her father was pale, as if he knew she had been in great danger.

She whispered that a woman had waved with a golden wreath.

Perhaps it was the midget maiden she had seen.

Kristin's younger sister Ulvhild showered everybody with love.

Her mother Ragnfrid loved her youngest child so much-

- that all her joy for Ulvhild made her flourish.

Lavrans had never seen her happier and more beautiful-

- in all the years they had been married.

Can no one put an end to Ulvhild's pain?

God help everyone in this house.

She will soon forget her pain.

I've lost three sons.

I cannot lose her, too. Do you hear me, Father Erik?

God does not grant all prayers. Do not force your will upon him.

I've sent for Mistress �shild. If God does not help, I'll ask her.

Yes, you know her. I do not.

I'd go to hell if the devil would help me.

We'll hit you and kick you!

Every single day we'll trample on you!

Ragnfrid had sent for Mistress �shild.

Kristin had heard that she was a witch who, when she was rich,-

- had poisoned her first husband and had been excommunicated.

Now she lived in a poor farmhouse-

- with Bj�rn, the man she had bewitched.

Finn Arnesen

he rode at the front

how pretty that little foot is

in its bright red sock.

The king himself taught me that song.

I've had my days of glory, Kristin, and I'm wise enough not to complain -

- if I have to drink sour milk now -

- because I've drunk all the wine and the beer.

Good days can last long, if you are careful.

All wise people know that.

That is why I think ...

... that wise people will make do with their good days.

For the best days are precious.

Well, what do you say to me ...

... who threw away the best thing I had?

And I've been punished for it. Oh, how I've been punished.

You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs, Ragnfrid.

And he who will sacrifice his life must stake it and see what he wins.

That night they collected dew for Ulvhild's morning wash.

As Mistress �shild bent over,-

- she almost floated across the meadow like the midget maiden.

And the child whispered that she saw the maiden.

But she dared not take the golden wreath, because it felt wrong.

It's good when you dare not do something that is wrong.

But it's not good if something seems wrong -

- because you dare not do it.

There's something evil about her. Even the dogs become quiet.

They say that she walks the nights as a woolf at Haugen.

It would probably be the best thing for you to become like Lavrans.

Both in body and soul.

You ought to marry a knight, Kristin.

My nephew, Erlend Nikulauss�n from Husaby, -

- he'd make you a fine groom.

You probably can't have him -

- but I wouldn't mind spreading the bridal quilt over the two of you.

His hair is as black as yours is blond.

And he has beautiful eyes.

You've never seen eyes like that, Kristin.

It was early autumn, but already frosty weather.

Ulvhild's pilgrimage to the Nidaros Cathedral-

- had to cross snowy mountains.

Stand quite still here.

The light from Christ's clothes falls right upon you.

You see, Kristin ...

The church is the body of Christ.

They are one.

As your body and soul are inextricably bound together.

Would you sacrifice you lovely hair and serve the Lord as a nun?

- I'm going to marry Simon Darre. - I see.

Then you must look for me at your wedding.

I'll come on the ray of sun upon which you hang your bridal crown.

She's the only thing I own that God has not taken from me.

And her little sister ... May he watch over her.

When my three sons died, I became so lonely.

It wasn't even in the war.

Friar Edvin ...

War! Fighting ...

It was the best thing I knew.

Then the war ended. But then I got my two daughters.

And all my adventures became dear to me -

- when I held those two ...

... little lives in my arms.

You have to learn to live with it.

To bear the fate God has given you.

Arne! Come on!

Arne, my dear. Is that my chest?

The Bishop of Hamar had promised Lavrans to help Arne,-

- so now he was going off with Father Erik's son Bentein-

- to become a priest's apprentice.

And one day, Anders Darre took his son Simon to J�rundg�rd-

- to meet his bride.

When I see you two I know this is what all the songs are about.

I raise my cup to you, Simon Darre.

My son.

There's no one better for my Kristin to share her bridal bed with.

I raise my cup to you, Lavrans Bj�rgulfss�n, Knight of Olav, -

- who has given my son Simon the loveliest maid in the valley.

It is said about you, Lavrans ...

It is said about your father, Kristin, that courage and joy -

- live in his heart.

Cheers!

Arne ...

There is a dance at Munkholm

upon the whitest sands

Simon. The dog.

I've brought a dog for Kristin ...

To comfort you when I go back to Oslo.

Do you remember the song from our wedding, Bj�rn?

In my nightmares.

In my nightmares ...

It occurred to Kristin that if she swore her faith to God,-

- God might give Ulvhild the use of her limbs back-

- and she could put off marrying Simon for a while.

Holy Cross! Give me a sign that you will perform a miracle for Ulvhild -

- and I'll swear to serve you.

Mistress �shild.

Have you got any more of that water you once gave a young girl, -

- so she could become a virgin again before her wedding night?

Shut that dirty mouth of yours, you fire-and-brimstone preacher!

- You'll never be a priest, Bentein. - Go away!

Go away!

You're going to be a priest's apprentice now.

I let Bentein ride ahead.

We can be alone then.

I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you are today, Arne.

Would you rather have married me than Simon?

Yes, I think so.

I know you better.

This is for you.

Put it in your chest.

A buckle, so you'll think of me.

I'll never forget you and my sorrow.

You have no idea how much my heart aches because I'm losing you.

- I'll never be happy again. - Don't say that, Arne.

Can't you ask Lavrans ...

... for permission to let Simon go?

He would never force you.

I think I have to follow the wish of my parents.

If you cared for me ...

... you'd go to Lavrans and ask him.

I can't!

No man is dear enough to me -

- for me to oppose my parents' will for his sake.

Show me a bit of kindness too, Kristin. I'm cold.

You won't tell anyone. We're going to enjoy ourselves.

If you can't hide it, blame Arne.

I'm sure your mother would understand.

Jesus ...

Kristin, what happened?

It was your son.

He did this.

Bentein? But he's on his way to Hamar.

He's lying in the woods.

I hit him with a stone.

When your father comes back from Nidaros, we'll have the wedding.

They say the King's men will be back by Easter.

Jesus.

Arne Gyrds�n just came home.

Dead, on a sledge.

He was sitting at the table in Hamar.

Bentein came in. Nobody wanted to talk to him.

Arne let him sit next to him.

Then Bentein said something. I don't know what.

Arne flew at him, and Bentein pulled a knife -

- and stabbed Arne in the throat and several times in the chest.

Arne died almost instantly.

Ragnfrid sends this and asks God to watch over you.

Have you come too, Kristin?

Do you want to see my son as he came home to me?

Perhaps kiss him?

Arne is cold now and not as beautiful as when you met in the woods.

You don't want to kiss him now, but back then you liked it well enough.

Please tell me how I can help you.

I can't stand it here any longer.

Send me to a convent, Father. I have wanted to go for a long time.

- She wants to go to a convent. - Yes, I know.

The best thing would be to send her to the convent in Oslo for one year.

Are you in love with Kristin?

I understand her. And you.

I haven't met anyone I would rather share my life with.

THE WREATH

This is Kristin Lavransdatter whom we told you about.

Ingebj�rg and Helga are going to be your bed mates.

You'll have to make friends with them.

I'm Ingebj�rg.

This is Helga. She's going to make her vows.

In a week we can go to Oslo.

We can buy from foreigners as long as we don't talk to them.

They say I talk too much, but that's not true.

Welcome to the convent, Kristin Lavransdatter.

We thank God who let your father have you come to Mary's house -

- so you can learn to obey and serve -

- before you are allowed to order and decide.

I have also been betrothed.

He is old.

Ugly.

Twice a widower. But he's rich.

These juniper bushes have been with us for ten thousand winters.

They are the sign of the cross and will protect us from evil.

If I give you great freedom it is freedom with responsibility.

For none of my sisters have ever brought shame on my house.

By the will of God. Let it be so, in the name of Jesus Christ.

H�kon sewed his hat himself.

You can buy clothes like that in Oslo.

Kristin! They're going to hang someone!

- No, I don't want to watch! - Kristin, wait!

When I get married, I'll give H�kon a new hat.

When I get married, I'll never eat something I don't like again.

When I get married ...

We can let down our hair now.

And wear our own clothes.

And we can dance and stay out all night.

It's so beautiful, Kristin. Your hair.

- Can I comb it before you leave? - Aren't you coming?

Those of us who'll take the vow can only speak to the nuns.

Do you love Simon Darre so much that you can only dance with him?

Because you're always so kind to me.

Careful. Haven't you learnt to stay away from other men's women?

Were you not my friend and were this not God's house, I'd knife you.

Will you dance with me tonight, Kristin Lavransdatter?

It's a long walk to the arbour on such small pretty feet.

Will you make do with my simple horse?

Me?

My name is Erlend Nikulauss�n.

- Is Mistress �shild your aunt? - Yes.

I am Kristin Lavransdatter from J�rundg�rd.

I'd like to know what Aunt �shild has said about me.

Only that compared to Erlend and his family, we were not very grand.

Well, if that is a comfort to her ...

Is that all she has said about me?

My father's brother was �shild's first husband.

They were never happy together.

Suddenly he died, and she married Bj�rn.

People said she had poisoned him.

In any case, they were excommunicated.

Dance with me tonight, Kristin.

Later I'll tell you everything about me.

But not tonight.

I'm cold.

Aren't you afraid, Kristin?

I would never offend you.

You'll never shed a tear for my sake.

Sleep.

Sleep, Kristin ... here with me.

Now you've slept in my arms.

Safe as a child with its mother.

Kristin ...

Will you love me when the night is over?

I will love you, Master Erlend.

I will love you as long as you want.

And afterwards ...

... I will love no one else.

May God abandon me -

- if ever another woman should find way into these arms.

Say it too.

May God ... abandon me ...

... if I ever take another man in my arms as long as I live.

Have you thought about what will happen now?

That is for you to decide, Master Erlend.

I'll never be happy again if you're not mine.

I'll wait for you every day for a week.

I'm at the Nuns' Pasture every day until I leave. At the beach!

Did you spend all night with Erlend Nikulauss�n?

Beware of him. What will Simon say?

What about your future husband? Would he like it ...

... that you danced with Munan Stumpe?

Einar Einarss�n and Munan are friends.

Look.

He gave me this as a keepsake.

But Erlend ...

They say that his sweetheart, Eline Ormsdatter, lives with him -

- even though she's married to someone else.

He enticed a married woman -

- in spite of the king's ban and the archbishop's excommunication.

They have two children together.

He had to flee to Sweden and has had to sell so much land -

- that he'll become a poor man unless he betters his ways, -

- which he never will, says Master Munan.

But he can't hurt you. You're marrying Simon Darre.

Remember in Nidaros many years ago?

Yes.

I knew you were here with the Barefoot Friars.

- What's the matter, Kristin? - I have such evil dreams.

Everybody talks about the lust of the flesh ...

Everybody has a sinful body that wraps itself around the soul.

I heard a story -

- once, when I was travelling in foreign countries ...

... about a monk who could not believe that God loves ...

... all us miserable sinners.

But an angel came and touched his eyes -

- and he saw a stone at the bottom of the ocean -

- under which lived a blind and naked animal.

And he looked at it until it awakened his love -

- because it was so small and fragile.

When I saw you for the first time, -

- it was clear to me that God loves creatures like you.

You were so beautiful and innocent.

But you still needed protection.

And I thought I saw ...

... the whole church lying there with you -

- in God's open hand.

And that's why I am here with you.

I will never make you unhappy.

Nobody should pay heed to what you say.

You should be judged by what you do.

Chess.

Kristin!

When I go to Oslo for the winter, you must stay here, Ulv.

I've decided you're not going to war.

I'll go without you. You'll stay here and take care of her.

- Helga! Hurry up. - What is it, Kristin?

I have to see Friar Edvin. He's going to help me.

- What does Mistress Groa say? - I can go if you come with me.

You mean me? Do you want me to go with you?

I can tell that you know.

About Eline.

We'll keep our promises to each other.

Later you'll get as many rings as your hands can bear.

Look at me.

Are you cold?

Do you want me to warm you?

Are you frightened?

A bit.

I have to go.

- I was on my way to brother Edvin. - I suppose you were.

Don't look at me that way.

Do you think I wanted this?

To take you by force?

Force?

You would have let me go if I had asked you to.

I don't know.

- I had better go now. - I suppose so.

If two people swear to be true to each other for as long as they live -

- and then sleep together after that, -

- then they are married in the eyes of God.

It is only a sin if they break their promise.

I know that law in Latin, but I can't remember it.

Before we part, I ask you not to mourn.

You'll be my wife before you know it.

Are you leaving me?

Yes, I've been called up. I'm leaving in two days.

Ingebj�rg ...

It's colder now. I'm freezing.

Do you understand?

Ingebj�rg ...

One day I'll have to answer for everything.

When I think about it, it's as if ...

... my heart stops beating out of fear.

Don't be frightened.

When I think of Mother and Father, -

- it is as if they've disappeared from me.

It is as if I've been carried away by a wild river.

Oh, Ingebj�rg ...

I wish it could carry me into Erlend's arms forever.

He tore out the hearts of babies to make ointment -

- and drank the blood from a snake.

Talk to Simon first. You're staying there over the New Year.

Tell him everything.

He'll help you. Perhaps he'll relieve you from your betrothal.

I don't mind new faces, such as Einar Einarss�n's.

Forgive me!

God is evident, but not alive.

I have to see him to believe in him!

See him!

Otherwise I have to marry the 23 men who love me.

I have a rosary of children playing in my lap.

Nobody is as great a sinner as I am.

Christ our Saviour's death hasn't held me up and made me grateful.

I'm the worst one of you. I love no man.

No man has tempted me. I love only myself and the Devil.

The Devil is all-powerful on earth and in heaven.

Come with me, little Helga.

God bless both of you this Christmas.

I tell you, Kristin, every day we have looked forward -

- to bidding you welcome here.

You are like a queen who has descended from heaven.

You are just as shy in the dark as in the light, Kristin.

But at least let me hold your hand.

Can I lie under your blanket?

I won't kiss you if you don't want to, -

- but we can talk, can't we?

Do you have anything against me?

No.

Give me a kiss and I will stop pestering you.

Do you know that when there is a new moon, Mistress �shild told me, -

- you can curtsey or bow to it and make a wish.

I think they're practising for the dance tomorrow.

Or maybe Simon is teaching Kristin how to greet the king.

Make a wish that no one may know.

God bless Lady Ingeborg and your son, in the name of Christ.

Thank you for receiving us, Lady Ingeborg.

We pray for your son, King Magnus Vll, -

- that he will honour his mother and his country in God's name.

We pray that the king will learn to disregard the longing -

- planted by the Devil in all men's souls to win the praise of others.

He who keeps his eyes on the cross does not lapse into heresy.

In Christ's name, what is wrong?

It was too hot.

Come here, Kristin.

Sit down, Simon.

Erlend Nikulauss�n, come here.

I have a greeting for you from Ingebj�rg Filippusdatter.

Thank her for remembering me. I thought she had forgotten me.

How could we young maidens forget the man -

- who protected our honour?

- Ask your father if we can go now. - Now?

To think that you are so resourceful.

- I wouldn't have imagined it. - I can hide my feelings.

I've been thinking about you every day.

The worst thing was not getting word from you.

Is that why you're with the Dyrfrin people now?

- There's so much to talk about. - I'm going to the convent tomorrow.