Original subtitles

"I HAVE FIVE DRAWERS IN MY MIND.

THE THREE TOP DRAWERS I OPEN ALL THE TIME. THE FOURTH, LESS OFTEN.

I CLOSED THE BOTTOM DRAWER MAY 8TH, 1945 AND HAVEN'T OPENED IT SINCE."

[quiet breathing]

[murmur of conversation]

REPORT FROM "NO. 24"

[knocking at door]

-[man 1] Hi. We are ready. -[man 2] Hi. Yes.

-[man 1] Can you put the mic on? -[man 2] Yes. We'll be out soon.

-[man 1] Great, thanks. -[man 2] Yep.

-Ready, Gunnar? -Yeah, yeah.

I'm ready.

-[sighs] -[man 2] Are you good?

Yeah, I'm better.

It goes after a while.

Yeah.

-Pleased to meet you. Welcome. -Yes.

-Thank you, thanks. -Hello, I'm Petter.

-[woman 1] Hi, welcome. -Petter. Hi.

[whispered conversations]

-[woman 2 clears throat] -[woman 3] Shh.

Yes, yes. Were you expecting old folk here, huh?

Let's talk about, uh… values.

[calm ambient music playing]

Are you tired yet?

This is incredible. [sighs]

What?

NAZI BOOK BURNING CAUSES INTERNATIONAL WORRY

[man 2] Book burning?

I got a book from my father.

A guy called Langhoff,

who has written about his stay in a German concentration camp.

They'll burn that in no time.

Concentration camp?

Yes. It says they've been detaining folk who are against the regime.

Communists, then?

A mix of people, I think.

It's called The Peat Bog Soldiers.

Køhn has it in his bookshop.

Or I can lend you mine.

I understand they're doing that, um, to keep the communists under control.

It's the same here as well.

Or else, I mean, it's Moscow for us all.

You're not hearing what you're saying, are you?

Shouldn't people be free to say what they want?

Sure. Sure.

This is not about communism.

We should be allowed to speak and not go to jail.

Yeah, but you get what I mean, right?

[man 1 laughs]

No, I don't know what you mean.

Let's boil the water.

Yeah, here you go.

[present-day Gunnar] I went to the same school as you over 70 years ago.

We lived in a democracy.

But… some of us felt it starting to tighten around us.

Does everyone here feel secure?

[chuckles] Yes, good.

I also felt most secure.

All companions of mine,

they also felt secure,

right to when we were not any longer.

For, of course, we thought we were living in a post-war state,

when we suddenly became aware

we had been living in the interwar state.

And the Germans trooped in the 9th of April, 1940.

They needed barely 800 soldiers to take over Oslo.

Yes, about twice as many people are sitting here.

[ominous music playing]

[present-day Gunnar] In a war, you have to figure out if you want

to accept the situation you are in…

and to embrace what's going to become your new reality…

or stand up against it and thus risk everything.

[typing and low conversations]

[present-day Gunnar] I continued to go to work.

But I had a hard time concentrating.

[air-raid siren blaring]

[man 1] Everybody out!

[man 2] Come on, everyone!

[dog barking]

You're not easily startled, are you…

Sønsteby?

One can feel a little defiant at times.

And how defiant would that be, exactly?

[men shouting in distance]

Somewhat defiant.

[siren fades]

There are a few of us who have talked about taking a trip out to Marka.

Would you be interested in coming with us?

[suspenseful music playing]

[speaking German]

[present-day Gunnar] What else could we do?

We had to try to fight back.

[man 1] Sønsteby. Here.

Yup.

[Gunnar] But the Germans were already everywhere.

-[explosion echoing] -[shouting]

-[man 1] Get down. -[man 2] What's that?

[bomb whistles]

[man 3] Bomb!

-[man 4] Run! -[man 5] Move it!

[man 4] Keep going!

[Gunnar] It was futile.

[gunfire]

Form a line! Form a line!

[gunfire]

-[man 4] Fall back! -[man 5] Fall back!

Watch out!

[Gunnar] We didn't stand a chance.

[heavy gunfire]

Here!

[groans]

[man 6] Move it!

[man 4] Retreat! Retreat!

Retreat!

-[man 5] Stop! -[man 6] There'll be covering fire!

[Gunnar] We were so damn unprepared.

[gunfire]

[Gunnar] And I promised myself

that I would never again be so unprepared for anything.

I myself got pneumonia and terrible sinusitis.

In fact, I was told not to move for two whole years.

People say that health is the most important thing.

PRIME MINISTER QUISLING EXPLAINS POLITICAL PLANS.

[Gunnar] But that's not true.

Peace and freedom trumps everything.

And after two months or so,

I met other men who were just like myself.

[radio broadcaster] This is London.

On days like these, there are probably many people in Norway

who are trying to keep their spirits up.

Or are they beginning to lose heart?

[Gunnar] And they were Knut Haugland, who I knew from Rjukan,

and Max Manus,

Andreas Aubert,

Gregers Gram,

and Tallak, Edvard Tallaksen.

Oh, I missed that one.

[Gunnar] Here I put my background as an accountant to good use.

I became Erling Fjeld,

Gunnar Lier, Harald Sørensen.

The bakery in Grønland,

with Reidun Andersen in charge,

became a hub for us.

It was all well we were making a newspaper, but we wanted better.

The Norwegian government had fled to London.

[tense music playing]

[Gunnar] I got word that they had a representative

at the British legation in Sweden.

NORWAY - SWEDEN

[Gunnar] I wanted to meet him.

THE BRITISH LEGATION - STOCKHOLM

[man 1] We need to build up a network in Oslo.

[young Gunnar] All right.

But if you would rather go to England to be trained in sabotage,

I'm certain we could send you over there.

-Thank you, but I will stay in Oslo, sir. -Okay.

Your codename is…

Number 24.

There you go.

Your first assignment.

[dramatic music playing]

BANK OF NORWAY

[engine starts]

[music fades]

-Forfang. -Erling Fjeld.

Ivar Thidemansen has asked me to meet you.

Yes.

[clears throat]

So, why are you here, then?

The Norwegian government in London has employed me

to come to you to borrow the banknote printing plates.

You… wish for a loan of our printing plates for the Norwegian banknotes?

Yes.

Resistance work costs money, as you can imagine, sir.

And we also need a sample of the paper being used.

[sighs]

Hello, Miss Løberg?

Thank you for an… interesting chat.

What must I do for you to trust me?

This meeting is over.

Miss Løberg will show you the way out.

-[Gunnar sighs] -Mr. Fjeld?

[tense music playing]

[Forfang] Mr. Fjeld?

Your grandchildren will be speaking German.

What was that?

You do understand that if action is not taken now,

your grandchildren will be speaking German?

Here, you have a chance to stand on the right side of history.

[Forfang sighs]

How do I know that you are a representative of the government?

How can I be sure of that?

-You will have to trust me. -Ah.

Easy for you to say.

If this goes wrong, I'll get shot.

And the bank manager and the entire board.

That goes for all of us.

[Forfang sighs]

[sighs]

If you are who you say,

then make the speaker from London say this on the radio

the day after tomorrow.

Then I will consider the matter.

THE ETERNAL LONGING

[melancholy music playing]

-[static cracking] -[indistinct rhythmic pattern of taps]

[rhythm repeats clearly]

[rhythm repeats]

-[static crackling] -[rhythm repeats]

[broadcaster] This is London.

In days like these, it's important to keep your spirits up.

Here are 16 special messages.

One. A man you can trust.

Two. A long spear in the fist.

Three.

The eternal longing.

Four. Looks like a school.

Five…

[clears throat]

[church bell ringing]

I hope that you know what you're doing.

[sighs]

You have until Thursday evening.

[tense music playing]

[driver] So, uh, where are we going today?

[Gunnar sighs] Please go to Kongsvinger.

-[driver] Hmm. -I have a package to get to Sweden.

So send that, then.

It's here.

[announcer] A festive meeting in the town hall.

National commissioner Terboven and Minister President Quisling

were photographed together as the company's protectors.

Under the leadership of Captain Maxvik,

the company marched through Oslo's streets.

[military band playing]

[announcer] Hirden's school in Kongsvinger

has completed a soldier training course.

Chief of State Police Marthinsen handed out letters of appointment

to the new troop leaders and superintendents.

That man is worse than Quisling.

Then followed by a simple social evening.

[present-day Gunnar] Marthinsen was head of the State Police

and also the supreme leader of the Hirden.

He allowed his people to torture Norwegians.

And the Norwegian Nazis were quite frequently worse than the German Nazis.

I could not understand how our fellow countrymen

could collaborate with those who had occupied us.

It made it difficult to know who to trust.

[tense music playing]

The government in London needed eyes and ears in Oslo.

[soldiers marching]

[Gunnar] And I was appointed leader of our little organisation.

[tapping]

[Gunnar] The information was collected and then smuggled over to Sweden.

[phone ringing]

[Gunnar] And from there, transported on to London.

But the Gestapo had now become aware of the resistance movement

that was building up.

Our people were arrested all over the country.

[man groaning]

[Gunnar] The Germans wanted to get hold of those in charge.

[in German] Turn him.

[man screaming]

[door slam echoes]

[muffled screaming continues]

Why Hornbæk? Why can't he just drive to Kongsvinger?

[typing, murmur of voices]

[Tallak] Andreas wants to talk to you.

He said that… [coughs]

[whispering] He said…

What was that?

[sighs]

The Germans poured boiling oil up Kristian's rectum.

Andreas' brother.

He burned from the inside.

[melancholy music playing]

Andreas.

Condolences for Kristian.

He was outstanding.

Yes, he was.

What kind of people would do that? Hmm?

Who does that?

All of us understand if you want out.

Out? What are you talking about?

I want to do the hard things. You follow?

-[Reidun] Hi. -[Gunnar] Hello.

[Reidun] She's here.

-[Gunnar] Okay. -[shop bell rings]

[Gunnar] Hello.

Krogh.

Gudrun Collett.

[man] Krogh?

But isn't it Fjeld?

Krogh, Fjeld, um… Five pockets, one for each man.

Then it's just a matter of keeping them straight.

-[man laughs] -[sighs]

[clears throat]

You fix things?

Yes. Well, you might say that.

-You need access to more apartments? -Yes.

Why so many?

I never sleep two nights in the same place.

[present-day Gunnar] Through Mrs. Collett, I got access to a network of apartments.

I just followed the logic of the Germans.

For their job was all day, every day to methodically search,

trying to predict where we could be found and get to us.

The Germans usually came to get people

between four and six in the morning.

[birdsong]

So I got up every day at half past four.

I was out on the street within a few minutes,

and then I usually went into the woods

to get a few extra hours of sleep

before heading back to the city.

-[door opens] -[shop bell rings]

We open again in the morning.

[in German] Closed.

[in English] Thank you so much, miss.

Ah…

It's a lovely scent of baking.

Mmm.

May I?

Reidun?

[tense music playing]

[door slams]

[in German] Please.

[papers rustle]

Get the prisoners.

[guard] Next.

[in English] Do you know who this is?

Look at him.

Next.

What about him?

I don't know.

[officer] Are you sure?

Mmm.

[papers rustle]

[footsteps shuffling]

[metal clanking]

[Reidun gasps softly]

No.

[conversations fall silent]

[door opens]

[door closes]

-[Reidun] I didn't say anything. -Uh…

Anything.

Okay.

[Reidun] I saw several of ours.

I saw Solnørdal.

I don't know how long he can hold up.

They'll do anything

to find out your real identity.

Okay.

[suspenseful music playing]

[baby crying]

[people speaking German]

[woman] Mmm!

What are you up to these days?

[Gunnar] You don't want to know.

But, um… you were given permission for travel to Rjukan?

[crockery clattering]

Look…

I…

There are a lot of people looking for me.

And there will more, I'm inclined to believe.

And I can't quite shake the thought that they could come and…

and that they could come here after you.

[father] You have to do your job.

And we will do ours.

[emotional music playing]

[pats back]

-Hi, Gunnar. -Hello.

[man] For the good cooperation between the German and Norwegian law enforcement,

It is very important, Mr. Marthinsen,

that we quash this terrorist activity together.

Mmm. Yes.

[in German] Did you get everything he knew?

That's impossible to know.

No, it's not. You just have to make an effort.

They'll sing like sparrows.

-[in English] Excuse me for a moment. -Yes, certainly.

[officer, in German] Come here.

[whimpering]

[in German] It's chilly here, right?

What?

-[hissing] -[prisoner groaning]

[officer, in English] The name of your boss?

-Who is your leader? -[moans]

His full name.

[spluttering] G… Gu…

[sobs]

Gunnar.

Gunnar.

-We need the surname as well. -[prisoner gasping]

[grunting]

S… Sønsteby.

[panting]

-Gunnar Sønsteby? -[prisoner] Yeah.

[sobs]

[in German] There you go.

[in English] That wasn't so hard.

[sobbing]

Apologies for the interruption.

Not at all.

[in German] But I'd say the wait was worth it.

GUNNAR SØNSTEBY REWARD: 200 000 KR.

[birdsong]

[soldier, in German] Stop.

Papers, please.

Uh…

Okay. Go on.

[door slams]

[keys jingling]

[muffled conversation in German]

[tense music playing]

[men calling out in German]

-[door slams] -[keys jingling]

[breathing shakily]

[keys jingling quietly]

[man] Please come in, Sønsteby.

Get after him!

-Stop! -[gunfire]

LEUCHARS, SCOTLAND - 1943

[man 1] Just get inside and dump them. These aren't…

Idiot! Do you know that? Leave this!

Kjakabråten.

[Gunnar chuckles]

There you are.

-Hello. -Very good to see you.

Good to see you.

It was about time you came out here.

Yes, but I'll go back at the soonest.

Of course. First things first, Gunnar.

Erling Fjeld.

Erling Fjeld.

Yes, they've asked to speak to you.

Have they?

I tried to tell them you're an upstanding citizen,

but they're not going to surrender.

[officer 1] Mr. Fjeld.

[poignant music playing]

[officer 1] Just tell us one more time, Mr. Fjeld,

why you have survived

when so many of your contacts haven't?

[man 3] Some of us believe that this is close to impossible.

When something is impossible,

there tends to be a few obvious explanations.

What are you saying?

Not saying anything, Mr. Fjeld. You tell us.

[Gunnar] I'm a thorough man.

Very few people can be thorough on this level over time.

-What am I supposed to say to that? -[officer 1] But you can?

Well, I'm not saying that I'm better than anyone.

But I plan ahead all the hours I'm awake.

-So do all the others. -So do all the others.

-I wish that was true. -So there's no component of luck in this?

Oh, yes. Luck and good planning.

Do you drink alcohol?

Not since the war started. I find it is counterproductive.

-You don't need it to calm your nerves? -No.

-What about women? -What about them?

Do you like women? Some agents prefer male company.

-[officer 1] Shocking as it may seem. -Uh, yes, I do like women.

[officer 2] How many female contacts have you established?

I'd say about five.

And of those, how many of them have you slept with?

I find your questions to be quite personal.

[officer 1] Just answer.

Zer… zero women since the war started.

[officer 1] I find that very hard to believe, Mr. Fjeld.

Sorry, but I don't feel like that's my responsibility.

[officer 2] Do you do anything at all to calm your nerves?

Yes.

I plan and prepare, as I already have told you.

That's the thing that calms my nerves.

[sighs]

-[planes flying low overhead] -[door opens]

[door closes]

[poignant music playing]

I'm sure you've had quite enough of this room.

I apologize on behalf of my agency, but we had to be absolutely certain.

It seems that you're one of those rare and brilliant individualists

who's able to achieve things that others cannot.

We're rather impressed.

I wish you nothing but the very best of luck in your training.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[present-day Gunnar] After a few months of training in Scotland,

I went back to Oslo.

I now felt ready to take on bigger assignments.

But first, I was to meet the new leader of the resistance movement,

Jens Christian Hauge.

I got hold of eggs for breakfast.

[jazz music playing]

You can have a sip of my husband's invention.

[Gunnar] Hmm.

He said it helps with everything.

[sighs] So he thought.

Apart from brain tumours,

it turned out.

My, uh… condolences.

Thank you.

But let's not get lost in melancholy.

It's important to rejoice once in a while.

[Brahms' Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15 playing]

In spite of what is facing us.

When is he supposed to arrive?

He's coming.

[Gunnar sighs]

Do you dance?

-No. -Hmm. [chuckles]

You mustn't forget to breathe a little, even if it is war.

There'll be a time and a place for that.

Hmm.

You mean one dance?

You won't be getting any more food from me if you don't dance.

Yes.

[chuckles]

-Have you danced before? -Yes, yes.

-Okay. -Absolutely.

So you put your right hand upon my shoulder.

-Mm-hmm. -And the other hand here.

I will lead first. Now.

[Gunnar] Hmm.

[clears throat]

[laughs] You cannot dance with me if you're stuck.

You must take a breath.

[inhales deeply] In through the nose.

[exhales] Out of the mouth.

-And again. -[both inhale]

[both exhale]

Let's try one more time.

Please try.

Right.

-One, two, three. One, two. -Hmm.

See? You've got it!

-[Gunnar chuckles] -Don't forget to breathe.

[Gunnar breathing deeply]

[both laughing]

[knocking at door]

-Mm-hmm. Mmm. -[chuckles]

-[door opens] -[clears throat]

[Gudrun] Welcome.

[door closes]

Mr. Hauge.

[pot lid clinks]

[pouring]

-[Gudrun] Coffee? -Yes, thank you.

I'm trying to teach Number 24 to breath a little.

[both chuckle]

Have you turned 25 yet?

[Gunnar] Yes.

There's a chance you won't get older.

Have you considered that?

I can accept that.

[puts cup down]

How do you think you'd respond to torture?

I'm not sure.

That is the only answer.

We're going to work together, you and I.

We have an urgent matter.

Okay.

Quisling and Marthinsen will forcibly conscript Norwegian boys

to fight for the Germans, sending them to Russia as cannon fodder.

3,000 men will meet at the employment office tomorrow.

Ensure that by sunrise, it looks like a fire pit down there.

[suspenseful music playing]

Akersgata 55, it's here.

An empty building. It's closed at night.

We're going to blow up the archive, and that's it.

Gregers, about eight, ten kilos?

Yeah. Ten could do it.

Max, I spoke to Selvaag. He can get weapons for us.

Yup.

Tallak, you're on reconnaissance for Akersgata.

We meet here at seven.

[suspenseful music continues]

[man] Yes, I have a good selection. Have a look.

Akersgata 55, here you are.

[Gunnar] All this must be checked before we meet up at seven o'clock.

Yeah. Yeah.

Repeat it.

[clears throat]

You said that, uh, you and, uh…

You and, uh, Max…

Tallak, this isn't going to work.

[clears throat]

That's, uh… No.

I… I smiled at her because we are in a café.

Is smiling at people not allowed any more? Is that how it is?

Some of us feel things, even if you don't.

Right. I fully understand you. Please just give her a smile.

And then when you are done with the smiling, go back to Akersgata.

I… I was just over there.

-The key you were given… -Yes.

[key jingles]

Did you check if it fits?

[music intensifies]

[music fades]

It's ready.

Okay.

MAY 18TH, 1944

-[Gunnar] Have you got the keys? -[Tallak] Yeah.

[keys jingle]

[ominous music playing]

[Gregers] Nice place.

-[door closes] -[large group conversing]

There's people here.

[Gunnar] We will proceed as planned.

[buzz of voices]

[man] Do you have to say… Let's wait…

Just need to work through this…

Hi. How can I help you?

-What's going on here? -[woman] We're working overtime.

It's going to be very busy tomorrow morning, so… And you?

We've been ordered to check the ventilation.

Oh, yes, yes. That's nice. It gets really stuffy in here, so…

-We'll get that sorted, ma'am. -Thank you.

[man 2] Yes, pass it… pass it here, please.

You know what?

When I see the young like you, standing there idle in times like this,

do you know what I'm thinking of?

I'm thinking, "What's going on?"

If I had been young today,

I'd have done anything to kick these disgusting swines out.

To be honest, it makes me want to kick you very hard, I'm telling you.

[man laughing]

[men speaking German]

-Hmm? -We're at work, but thank you.

-[Tallak] Max. -[soldiers laughing]

[Max sighs]

[man] All right, then.

-I will have a sip. -Help yourself.

-Thanks for that. -Yeah.

What the hell's goin' on 'ere?

[Max] No idea.

[music intensifies]

[man] It's a good question.

And I'll tell you something else. I would run if I was able.

Then those bastards wouldn't really be scared.

See, in the old days, literally no one could outrun me.

-And I was really tough, too. -Sure.

In 1905, I went to Drammen and back in a single night.

There was a lady down there, you see.

They don't make 'em like that any more.

[soldiers laughing]

[drunk man] Back then, there was more to love.

They drank milk back then, you see.

[mouths]

[lighter clicks]

Hello.

Hello! Hi! This building will blow up shortly!

So everyone needs to get out!

-Now! -Me first!

[clamouring]

In July… July, 3rd, 4th…

Maybe was June. It could have been. Yeah.

I was there and back to Drammen, all in just one night.

[screaming]

July. 5th of July. No.

[Max] You should get away from here, sir.

-[drunk man] What did you say? -[Max] Get away!

-Get away! Go! -[drunk man] All right.

[screaming]

[present-day Gunnar] And what do you think it said in the newspapers the day after?

That's right.

Not a thing.

All those stories that you see that are published in the papers,

they tell them.

It's the owners.

What to print and what not to print.

-Every single time. -[distant phone ringing]

So in the case of war, well, those papers should be lit instead.

-They're mere kindling. -[phone ringing loudly]

Hello, this is Marthinsen.

[Marthinsen] To hell with this! I've had enough!

[poignant music playing]

[banging at door]

[door opens]

Gustav Sønsteby?

-Yes. -You're coming with us.

Just one moment.

[emotional music continues]

[music fades]

[door closes]

[Jens] He has been sent to Grini.

[ominous music playing]

They know your name.

They know who you are.

We knew something like this might happen.

Take these with you, and always carry them, you hear that?

You cannot let them take you alive.

[door slams]

[starts engine]

[footsteps coming upstairs]

[door opens]

[Gudrun panting] The Germans know about this apartment.

[Gunnar] Okay, I'm leaving.

[sighs]

Thank you.

[soldier 1, in German] Thank you so much.

Papers.

The backpack too.

Check it.

Where are you going, Fjeld?

Work.

What work do you do?

Insurance.

[soldier 1] What do you think? Insurance?

Have a nice day.

Thank you.

[soldier 1] Off you go.

[Reidun] So they didn't recognise you?

Luckily, I look unremarkable.

Heh.

You are many things, Gunnar. Unremarkable is not one of them.

[poignant music playing]

Do you ever think about what you're going to do when it's over?

No.

And why's that?

I can't think of that now.

I want a free country, so everything else comes after.

[bicycle rattles]

-It would be wise to lay low for a while. -What?

I'm just saying that I think it would be wise to lay low for some time.

Yes, that could be wise.

[woman] It's chilly…

What is it?

I got to…

know someone, someone new.

New? What do you mean?

A woman?

I know you don't like it, but…

[scoffs] You know, it is what it is.

I have full control.

How do you have full control?

[sighs]

I've been thinking of what I have to do if I get caught.

And… I know exactly what I'll do.

-[bicycle pulls up] -[bell rings]

[sighs]

No one gets caught, Tallak.

[tense music playing]

[Jens] Kongsberg weapons factory.

850 Norwegians are forced to produce Swedish Bofors cannons for the Germans.

The Allies will bomb, even if it means killing civilians.

The centre of Kongsberg will be completely destroyed.

We have a better idea. But there could be trouble.

We need to get into the factory.

Of course, the Germans have guards there,

but it should be possible to do this between two guard rounds.

-[man 1] Hi. -Hi.

-Where are the goods? -[man 1] What goods do you mean?

-[Gunnar] Explosives. -That's inside.

[Gunnar] Inside what?

The factory.

Yeah, I've smuggled over 70 kilos of explosives into my workbench.

Who gave you that command?

No, we… we thought it was a good idea.

We'll have to wire it up from the inside, you mean?

That's right.

The plan was for us to wire everything so it's ready before we go in.

Now we need at least ten minutes more time in there.

That's as long as the guards spend on a round.

[sighs]

Well, let's get to work?

[tense music continues]

[dog barking]

[worker 1] We have a key.

Yes, but we don't want them to know that.

[lightbulb buzzing]

-[dog barking] -[clattering]

[chain jingling]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldiers conversing in German]

[dog panting]

-[door slams] -[Gunnar] Ten minutes.

[tense music continues]

[dog barking]

[exhales]

Just five more.

Come on. Finish up.

Three minutes.

-Give me the fuse. We don't have time. -Okay.

[dog barking]

-Shh, shh, shh. -[door crashes]

[dog barking]

-[Gunnar] We have to get out now! -We need to set the fuse.

-[Gunnar] Come on! -Yes!

[grunts]

[soldiers speaking German]

Here! Here!

[starts engine]

HOKKSUND - 20 KM FROM KONGSBERG

[soldier, in German] Papers, please.

And step out.

[ticking]

[explosion echoing]

Good. Everything is in order.

Drive on.

[starts engine]

[laughter]

[cheering]

[clapping and whooping]

[group chanting] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

-[Max] Wahey! Hey! Hey! -[chanting] Come on, then!

-Sing a song to show what we can do! -Whoo!

Let's show what we can do, eh?

But it was… They weren't very impressed with it.

-They weren't very impressed with it. -Oh!

-Understandably! -[Gunnar] New rules!

From here on, I do not want to see a drop of alcohol

taken before, during, or after a mission.

After a mission, when everyone is accounted for,

then it's a different matter.

Do I make myself understood?

[clatters]

[suspenseful music playing]

[muffled conversation]

Are you going?

They want me over in London.

-Do you know why? -No.

[sighs] And no fraternising while I'm not about.

We will be disciplined.

Yes.

Gunnar?

[Gunnar gasps]

Erling.

-It's been a while. -Oh, yes, absolutely.

[both chuckle]

-This is Annlaug. -Yes, hello.

-Hi. Gunnar. -Annlaug.

How are you?

[Erling] We've know each other since childhood.

We'd go hiking up the mountains together before…

before, uh, well…

yeah, all of it.

How's your father managing?

He's all right, thanks.

And how are you? Didn't you have a job with your father?

Well, it became a bit of a mess there.

Now I'm between jobs, as they say.

Yes, that's life.

[tense music playing]

-These are difficult times. -Mmm.

Are you off on the road?

No, just running errands.

Busy life?

[chuckles] Yes, you could say that.

-It's good to see you. -Likewise.

-Well, see you. -See you, then.

[engines roaring, horns blaring]

[silence]

[clock ticking faintly]

[murmur of conversation]

[piano playing quietly]

[man] Yes, that's really good.

[Gunnar] Thank you.

[conversations fall silent]

[man] Good day.

Uh… Your Majesty.

And what are you called today?

-[Gunnar] Uh… -Erling Fjeld?

[conversations resuming]

Harold Sørensen.

An electrician from Grefsen.

[chuckles]

[Gunnar] Your Royal Highness.

Well, I was keen for the opportunity.

Sadly, I must leave you now.

Hmm. It's an honour.

[prince] Ditto.

Have a good lunch.

Shall we?

I took the liberty of ordering for us both.

Ah. Ah.

Thank you, Your Majesty. It looks delightful.

Bon appétit.

-[chuckles] -[piano playing quietly]

I hear that you are accomplishing great things at home in Oslo.

Thank you. I'd like to go back to do more.

Ah, you know what.

I think your need is greater than mine, my boy.

That's kind, thank you.

And of course, you are going.

You will go home again.

And, God damn it, you must continue to sabotage as much as you possibly can.

[woman] I do hope they play some Beethoven…

[present-day Gunnar] I will never forget that meeting.

It was as if the King himself ordered me to kick those bastards out of the country.

But before I got back home, I was to receive another message.

[sighs] Um…

It was then that Tallak and Gregers…

They had made contact with two German deserters from the Luftwaffe.

Or at least, who they thought were two German deserters.

[ominous music playing]

-[gunshots] -[screaming]

Gregers… died at the scene.

Tallak had been shot right in the face.

And they brought him to Kriegslazarette.

Had I been there in Oslo, that meeting would not have gone ahead.

I wouldn't have allowed it. They wouldn't have been killed.

But I was not there.

[ominous music playing]

We don't really know how one may or may not react to torture.

You crack,

and you're unable to hide all those around you?

[emotional music playing]

[Gunnar] No one wants to be in that situation, if it can be avoided.

[door slam echoes]

No one can really judge you if you must.

But it's costly.

Your new orders.

[music fades]

Yeah, um, I've heard that the resistance movement

occasionally had to decide upon the lives of other Norwegian men.

Um…

Yes.

Uh, have you done it?

Um, have you experienced war?

No, I have not.

But, uh, my parents have.

Then I think that your parents will very likely understand what I'm talking about.

Mmm.

And to all of you, I want to say

that I hope that you never have to understand it,

so long as you live.

Because what happens in war is that subtle differences just disappear,

and things become black and white.

And all at once, completely different rules apply.

I lost eight of my dear friends during the resistance,

and that was by order of the Germans.

But how would you have reacted

if your best friends were betrayed?

I wouldn't have liked it.

No.

But have you done it?

Any other questions for me?

[tense music playing]

[Jens] These are the worst of them.

They're Norwegians, all of them.

Marthinsen is the most zealous Nazi in the country,

but we will need more time for planning.

I think we should start with this one. He's an easier target.

He is directly responsible for the death of several of our people.

[Lindvig, in Norwegian] Take aim!

Fire!

[gunshots]

I can ask someone else, Gunnar, if you find it's too unsettling.

We can't ask our men to do it unless they know we're willing to do the same.

I'll take him.

Take someone with you.

And, uh… one thing we must agree upon.

All of this stays between you and I.

We take it to the grave.

Who's taken whom, when, where, that is vital information you and I die with.

Do you hear me?

[suspenseful music playing]

[dog barking]

[Gunnar] Excuse me.

I saw that you came out from number one.

Do you live there?

Yes.

[Gunnar] Do you like it there?

Why do you ask?

Would you say this is a… pleasant neighbourhood?

Absolutely.

[Andreas] Good neighbours?

It varies around here.

Especially nowadays.

[Andreas] Oh. What do you mean by that?

Have you got a neighbour who's not so nice?

You could say that.

And how close to him do you live?

[clock ticking]

[dog whimpers]

[vehicle draws up]

Gunnar. It's him.

[main door opens]

[main door slams]

[footsteps walking upstairs]

[door closes]

-[footsteps approaching] -[keys jingling]

[door opens]

[door slams]

[jazz playing on radio]

[Gunnar] I'll take another.

[Andreas] Can't you just play a card?

[Gunnar] All in good time.

[Andreas] Smart arse.

Ooh.

[birdsong]

Thanks very much.

You are welcome.

[spoon clinking]

[vehicle approaching]

[engine switches off]

[tense music playing]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[footsteps in hall]

[Lindvig groaning]

[music intensifies]

[woman] Wait!

This is for you!

Yep.

Hmm.

Uh… have things that occurred during the war bothered you afterwards?

No, because during the war I lived a life…

as extreme a life as I could,

so my mind never rested,

and I let very little get to me.

For if I'd done that, I would have been done for.

Um, well, I was… I was thinking more that, uh…

the resistance movement and yourself killed some of our own.

Yes, but have we not discussed this earlier on before?

Yes, but you didn't answer clearly, as I see it.

Apparently, it happened on…

[paper rustling]

…82 occasions during the campaign.

Well, now, I haven't really counted, but I'd say that's probably correct.

We took particular individuals who were committed Nazis.

And those who were about to do something

that would ensure Norway was unable to be free again.

Uh, there was no mercy at all, then?

No.

[suspenseful music playing]

You can go to number two.

Yep.

[man] No. No.

[Gunnar] I probably would have switched these two.

Astrup and Finn Kaas, I don't know.

-[groans] -[woman screaming]

-[fires] -[woman screams]

-That is the youngest, so eventually… -Okay.

[groans]

[sounds fade]

So non-violence was never something you ever considered?

Non-violence?

[student] Yes.

Uh, Gandhi?

If you have heard of him?

Gandhi did not fight against any Nazis.

Non-violence is all well and good… in theory.

But that can't be done

if your country is attacked

by those with contempt for humanity.

I think that's when it matters.

Hmm. Then we can both discuss in detail, should there be another war

and we two are still alive.

Okay, we'll discuss again if a war breaks out.

[Gunnar] Yes.

Well, let's go to, uh, Captain Linge and his company.

For in the… the company of Linge, there were a lot of people from Rjukan.

Uh…

Yes?

[inhales]

But had all the citizens executed done unforgivable things?

Yes.

And did that sometimes have any major consequences?

Say, for example, Karl Marthinsen?

Now, where the Marthinsen case is concerned, it was quite clear.

[Gunnar] So, we just go down Blindernveien.

He usually drives all the way.

Here, we can watch.

And we can hide here.

[Andreas] Selvaag, come give me a hand.

[present-day Gunnar] He was responsible for the Holocaust in Norway.

He sent the Norwegian Jews to concentration camps.

You can probably call him

the biggest mass murderer in recent Norwegian history.

So he had to be taken care of.

FEBRUARY 8TH, 1945

[suspenseful music playing]

[Marthinsen] How is your boy doing? Did he win that ski race?

Thank you for remembering. It's actually today.

[Marthinsen] Ah, today, is it?

Well, wish him good luck from me.

Thank you.

[Marthinsen] It's very cold today, isn't it?

-[machine-gun fire] -[driver yelps]

-[driver groaning] -[Marthinsen spluttering]

[gunshot echoes]

[silence]

[student] How many people do you think it was worth sacrificing

simply for you to take Marthinsen's life?

After we shot Marthinsen,

the Germans took revenge, that was the case.

Well, the reprisals were so severe

that we stopped killing the next people on the list.

But within two nights they, uh…

executed 28 of us, Norwegian men, up at the garrison.

Many good members of the resistance…

and some unfortunates who'd done nothing.

Was it worth it?

There's no way to answer that.

What is freedom worth?

Someone in my family was shot by the resistance movement.

Hmm?

[student] I said someone in my family was shot by the resistance movement.

I see. I'm sorry to hear that.

Do you know what he had done?

Uh, that… that's unclear.

Uh, about snitching… snitching on someone.

Yes. During the war, there was a lot of that.

I was hoping you might know maybe a little more about it?

[Gunnar] Oh, yes? What… what was his name?

Erling Solheim.

[emotional music playing]

[Jens] We have received a letter.

What that means is, our people at the post office

have managed to intercept this letter addressed to the State Police.

The sender is offering information that could lead to you and others being caught.

The letter names you and several other people associated with you.

He offers to identify you.

No, I'm afraid there aren't any bells ringing with that.

[typing]

[Erling] "To the State Police Commissioner, Oslo."

"Recently, I have come into contact with people

who engage in sabotage and other illegal activities."

But now we should move on.

Um, or see if we can't.

Thank you very much for your questions today.

[Erling] "I have heard and read so much about the bestial acts

"that the so-called Home Front has carried out."

[Jens] This Solheim has to disappear

before he tries to contact the Gestapo again.

Will you take care of it?

[paper rustles]

Yes.

[present-day Gunnar] I believe that freedom is worth almost anything.

And that is why war becomes so unbearably hard,

that the fronts become impossible to overcome.

For it's either freedom

or it's death.

[Erling] "I would prefer not to give too much information in writing,

but I can say that I have information on Sønsteby,

Haugland, and Heiberg,

who I know you're very interested in."

"I also don't want to involve the regular police in this,

as they cannot be trusted."

"If you could arrange for a travel permit to Oslo,

then I would come immediately."

-"Most respectfully, Erling Solheim." -[door opens]

[murmur of voices]

Can I speak with the two of you?

[tense music playing]

[man 1] Can I get a cup of tea?

[man 2 sighs] Look at this.

From Rjukan.

Do you know who he is?

Take a Stapo car with you.

Travel in civilian clothing.

A certificate of service.

Solheim is currently out of work.

-He'll be living at this address here. -Sam Eydes gate.

-Mm-hmm. -Hmm. Thank him nicely for the letter.

Then ask him to come to Oslo to be interviewed.

Tell him that Stapo is very grateful that he has taken the trouble,

and that the reward of 200,000 is waiting for him in Oslo.

200,000?

That's probably why he's doing it.

You take him out of town…

then shoot him.

["Exit Music (For a Film)" by Radiohead playing]

[engine idling]

♪ Wake ♪

♪ From your sleep ♪

♪ The dryin' of ♪

♪ Your tears ♪

♪ Today ♪

-♪ We escape… ♪ -Drop your weapon! Get down!

♪ We escape ♪

-♪ Breathe… ♪ -[Gunnar] Go into the reception area.

-♪ Keep breathin'… ♪ -Go into the reception area. Quiet!

♪ Don't lose ♪

-♪ Your nerve… ♪ -Go!

♪ Breathe ♪

♪ Keep breathin'… ♪

[man 2] Erling Solheim?

♪ I can't do this… ♪

Hello. Thank you for your correspondence.

♪ Alone ♪

[inaudible dialogue]

-[soldier] Alarm! Alarm! -♪ Sing ♪

♪ Us a song… ♪

[soldier shouts in German] What are you doing?

♪ A song ♪

-♪ To keep… ♪ -[soldier] What are you going to do?

-[staff screaming] -♪ Us warm ♪

-♪ There's… ♪ -[man 3] Get out!

♪ Such a chill… ♪

Out! Go on, get out!

-♪ Such a chill ♪ -Out!

Come on!

Out! Out!

♪ And you can laugh ♪

♪ A spineless laugh ♪

♪ We hope your rules ♪

♪ And wisdom ♪

♪ Choke you ♪

♪ Now ♪

♪ We are one ♪

♪ In everlasting peace… ♪

I don't know about you two, but I need a toilet stop.

♪ We hope ♪

♪ That you choke… ♪

FEBRUARY 27TH, 1945

♪ That you choke ♪

♪ We hope ♪

♪ That you choke ♪

♪ That you choke ♪

♪ We hope ♪

♪ That you choke ♪

♪ That you choke ♪

[wind gusting]

[shot echoing]

[shot echoing]

[car door slams]

[Gunnar] Did he realise?

-No. -[keys jingling]

[Gunnar] Good.

Right.

[emotional music playing]

[church bell ringing]

[announcer] We are free! There is peace!

A Norway in sparkling joy has celebrated its reborn freedom

in these hectic days.

We have cheered out in the dawning spring all the longings and hopes

every Norwegian woman and man have carried in their heart.

Justice will be served.

The despicable handful of traitors

who betrayed their own countrymen…

Mr. Quisling, this is Halvor Rivrud.

He was in Dachau and Mauthausen.

I think you should listen to him.

It'd be best to keep quiet.

[inaudible dialogue]

[emotional music continues]

[audience applauding]

[applause continues]

[applause fades]

[Gunnar] Thank you. Thank you.

Hi.

I was wondering if you could sign this book for me?

[Gunnar] Yes, of course.

Um…

Gladly.

Goodness gracious. Well.

You're really interested in all this, aren't you?

[student] Yes.

Yes.

Well, I had hoped that you knew something about my great-grandfather's brother.

No, I'm sorry, dear.

So much was happening during that time, so…

Yes.

Forgive me.

[poignant music playing]

I understand.

Thank you, nevertheless.

Thank you.

[Gunnar] I have five drawers in my head.

The three top drawers I open all the time.

Drawer number four I open less often.

I closed the bottom drawer on May the 8th, 1945,

and I haven't opened it since.

That's how I've managed all these years.

It went well for a surprising number of us.

COMPANY LINGE REUNION 1949

[Gunnar] But for some, it got to be too much.

Andreas started drinking on liberation day.

Everyone knew who he was.

No bar in Oslo would take his money,

and for 12 years, he went from bar to bar.

Andreas shot himself in 1965.

Yes, I sensed he wasn't doing well,

but I didn't realise at the time how bad it was.

And it has troubled me for 50 years.

[man] The first time I met Gunnar was in 1998…

[inaudible dialogue]

[music fades]

GUNNAR SØNSTEBY WAS NEVER ARRESTED BY THE GERMANS.

HE CONDUCTED MORE THAN 20 SABOTAGE MISSIONS DURING THE WAR.

HE IS THE HIGHEST DECORATED NORWEGIAN CITIZEN

AND THE ONLY ONE TO RECEIVE THE WAR CROSS WITH THREE SWORDS.

GUNNAR MARRIED HIS BELOVED ANNE-KARIN IN 1953.

DESPITE HIS FAILING HEALTH, HE ENGAGED IN EXTENSIVE LECTURING

UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH.

HE SPENT 70 YEARS OF HIS LIFE HELPING THOSE WHO STRUGGLED

WITH THE EFFECTS OF WAR.

["Omen" (feat. SKAAR) by slowshift playing]

♪ Feels like I'm fallin' ♪

♪ You don't know what it takes ♪

♪ Someday, you will ♪

♪ Omen… ♪

WHEN HE WAS 94, GUNNAR TOOK A TAXI TO DIAKONHJEMMET IN OSLO

AND LAID DOWN IN A BED.

HE HAD DONE WHAT HE SET OUT TO DO.

♪ Will we ever forget ♪

♪ Someday, we will ♪

♪ Hold me ♪

♪ Can someone hold me? ♪

NORWAY'S HOME FRONT MUSEUM HAS A COPY

OF THE LETTER ERLING SOLHEIM SENT STAPO.

GUNNAR SØNSTEBY ALWAYS MADE IT CLEAR THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SOLHEIM FAMILY

WERE ANTI-NAZI AND KNOWN TO BE "GOOD NORWEGIANS".

♪ Fallin' ♪

♪ Feels like I'm fallin' ♪

♪ You don't know what it takes ♪

♪ Someday, you will ♪

♪ So late ♪

♪ Feels like I'm fallin' ♪

♪ You don't know what it takes ♪

♪ Someday, you will ♪

♪ You don't know what it takes ♪

♪ Someday, I will ♪

[song fades]

[dramatic music playing]