Original subtitles

-Do you want to turn back? -No, wait here.

Don't stand here watching over me.

No, you can't touch me.

We can at least talk about each other?

You have misunderstood everything, Henrik.

I don't want to talk to you. We have nothing more to say.

-Can't you just leave me alone? -You're scaring her.

-Keep out of this! -You're acting like an idiot.

-We don't have time to stand around here. -Leave me alone, dear Henrik.

-Just leave me alone! -I can't go on living.

Don't be so dramatic! You can carry on, and so can l.

-Talk with me, Anna. -I said don't touch me.

No, stay back. You are awful.

To be moral is to bend to the laws of morality-

-out of pure respect for those laws-

-as they are put forth in the categorical imperative.

Behave as though your expression of will-

-can act as a principle for creating a generalized law.

THE DOORBELL RINGS

Thanks!

-Can I help you? -No.

-It was nice of you to come. -Your letter made me curious.

-How are you? -It's just a cold.

-Please, have some mineral water. -That's kind of you, Miss Strandberg.

-People have been getting sick more often this year.

It's the big strike. When people are down they get sick.

-You are going to be a nurse. -Yes, I have to go back to school.

I would have liked to do that, but I had to earn my keep...

-What can I get you, Miss Åkerblom? -Hot chocolate with whipped cream.

-Do you know this place? -Pappa took us here on Saturdays.

What do you want from me?

It has to do with Henrik.

I would like to ask you to take him back.

He's on the verge... of falling to pieces.

That sounds a bit strange when I say it so directly.

He studies long into the night and he's so pitiful I could cry.

I honestly don't know so much about your relationship. He hasn't said anything.

Mostly, I've just guessed.

I'm trying not to be angry or hurt.

Nobody can help their feelings.

I can't help it that I get worked up-

-or that I care for him even though he's weak.

I feel like we are three poor souls who are in pain and are weeping in private.

I need to do something about it for my own sake.

I won't let myself be hurt and humiliated.

He lies in my bed and cries out for someone else.

It is humiliating for both him and me.

Miss Åkerblom, I'd like to say something about what I think about all the time.

He has no proper life, the poor soul-

-so nothing means anything.

No, I have to go if I'm to be on time.

What should I do?

Take him, Miss Åkerblom. You just need to make up your mind.

Henrik is the finest and best man I know.

The nicest and kindest... I know no one better.

I wish him all the best.

Things have never gone well for him in his miserable life.

He needs someone to care for-

-so he can stop thinking so badly of himself.

I really must be going, otherwise I'll get yelled at.

It doesn't matter so much, since I'll be quitting.

It might be nice to know that I'll be leaving town.

I got a job in a hotel... I'm paying!

I'll pay at the register if you'd like to sit a while longer.

Perhaps we shouldn't parade around together.

Farewell, Miss Åkerblom. Be careful with that cough.

Yes, one more thing...

Never tell Henrik...

I mean... My letter and our conversation.

It would come to no good.

It would just make things worse for him.

Dear Henrik, I would like us to...

Shouldn't you take some Emser salts? Let me feel your forehead...

You are feverish. I'll call the manager.

-I won't let you go in this condition. -Leave me alone.

Don't call, she hates it when we drag our feet.

Just some Ember salts and I'll be fine...

Dear, dear Henrik...

We should...

Pappa!

Sweet, darling Pappa, can't you take care of me?

I can't do a thing and don't know what I should do.

Come now, and sit down with your Pappa. -I must take responsibility...

... but I can't bear it.

I'll put you to bed, my dear girl-

-then I'll call Dr. Fürstenberg and then your manager.

Then I'll give you something to help you sleep and we'll decide what

-Won't that be better, my girl? -Yes.

KNOCKING

Hello. Forgive my unannounced visit.

It's damned cold in here! I hope you don't mind me keeping my fur on.

Would you please be seated?

I said, please be seated.

-I won't take up your valuable time. -What is this all about?

My family feels that you should be informed and I have been chosen to do it.

Say what you have to say and leave!

I have been sent here to tell you the following...

My little sister, Anna, is sick. She has tuberculosis.

One lung has been stricken and there is a danger for the other lung.

At present she is staying at home.

When her health allows it, she will go to a sanatorium in Switzerland-

-where they will give her adequate care.

My sister tells us that she wants nothing more to do with you.

She has asked expressly-

-for you to refrain from writing or telephoning-

-or waiting for her outside our house.

Or in any way trying to approach her.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name-

-Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

A branch can appear healthy on the outside-

-adorned with fine leaves but lacking fruit.

The fruit will not be borne without a true change of mind.

Neither would it come without seriously taking refuge...

... in Jesus Christ.

Good Evening, Pastor.

Good Bye, Pastor.

Keep it up this weekend, Pastor.

-I don't understand what you are doing with your toenails?

-You should go to a podiatrist. -Never, I am no Sodomite.

-I will remove this callus. -lf you take it away I'll lose my balance.

I already have trouble walking.

-Good Night. -Good Night... Thanks!

-I enjoy seeing you like this. -I'm doing this so you won't become

lf you have a clear conscience you don't need to clean your feet.

When you take those pills you look like a hen with a sore throat.

And then you blink...

Now... What's bothering you now?

It's...

... Ernst.

It was you who wanted him to move out.

And our little girl who is gone... in a hospital far away.

You should bring her home now.

Would you be upset if we took a swing through Italy?

It would be amusing, to see Amalfi once again.

-Would you like to join us? -You know that I can't.

We could take it easy. Imagine, Amalfi in the Spring!

-You'll be travelling, not me. -Anna would be so happy.

-Then you'll be gone quite some time. -Four weeks, maximum.

-Do you think she can wait so long? -What do you mean?

I only mean that there might be something pulling her.

-Now that she's healthy. -I don't understand.

What is it, Johan?

You weren't home when the afternoon mail arrived.

There's a letter from Anna to Ernst.

Posted from Weimersville four days ago.

Ernst is coming home from Norway next week. No reason to forward it.

Anna forgot to seal the envelope or did it so sloppily that it opened by itself.

That's nothing remarkable. It happens all the time...

-In the envelope there is another letter. -Another letter?

On the outside it says...

..."To Henrik Bergman - to be passed on, since I don't know his address".

-That letter was well glued. -It was sealed...

... but I opened it.

-What could Anna have to say? -That's simple.

A little steam from the kettle...

-Have you read it? -No, I'm a bit ashamed, perhaps.

lf we read it, it is in Anna's best interest.

Or from jealousy, or because we are furious that she has gone behind our backs.

Or because we don't accept this young man.

You read it, I can't make out Anna's handwriting.

I'll read it out loud...

"Everything is so long ago. I know that I was childish and spoiled."

"The time in the sanatorium, together with those the same age as me, only much sicker"...

-..."has forced me to re-think." -Stop reading.

-lf you won't listen then I'll read it to myself. -This isn't right.

"I am responsible for you, Henrik."

"A responsibility I couldn't bear and tried to free myself from."

"I was sick and couldn't think clearly."

"It was comforting to sink into a fever and be taken care of."

"I was convinced you had lied and that I'd never be able to trust you."

"I don't know, but if you still, after almost two years"...

"lf you still have the same feelings for me"...

..."that you had when we were"...

-..."when we were together"... -You have yourself to blame.

..." in the pasture when we made love."

"It is so easy to profess love. I love you, dearest Pappa."

"I love you, little brother. But no one knows what it means."

"Therefore I daren't say that I love you, Henrik."

"But if you will take my hand and help me through my sorrow"-

-"Then maybe we can teach each other what that word means."

Now we know more than we wanted.

Yes... now it will get difficult.

We can't just keep the letter.

-He can't have it. -I beg you, Karin.

-lf she finds out... -Letters get lost every day.

That won't happen.

-What is this idiocy? -You're deceiving yourself...

Perhaps not, but I'll say something very important.

Sometimes I am so positive that something is right or wrong.

I am so positive that it is wrong between Anna and Henrik.

I'm going to burn the letter to Ernst and the one to Henrik.

I will go to Italy with Anna and stay there all summer, if necessary.

Are you listening to what I am saying, Johan?

Karin...

-Johan? -Yes.

Can't we still be nice to each other even though we disagree on this?

-This is life or death, Karin. -Exactly, and I don't want you to pull away.

I'll take responsibility. Just don't distance yourself.

-It is life and death for you and me. -For us?

lf you go through with this plan then you will hurt Anna.

lf you hurt Anna then you hurt me.

lf you hurt me then you hurt yourself.

How can you say that I am hurting Anna?

You're preventing her from living a life that is hers.

You can make her insecure, but you can't change a thing.

-You can destroy, but you can't change. -Are you so sure?

Sometimes... Not particularly often...

... I'm thinking about the future. We know that I will soon pass on.

We know it even if we never mention it.

You'll be left alone to steer and make order in your kingdom.

I think you'll be isolated.

Don't make yourself lonelier than necessary, Karin.

I can't possibly be more lonely than I am already.

Our children will leave us, that is true.

-I can't complain. -This had to happen sometime.

We haven't prepared ourselves and we're taken aback.

I have held the children with open hands-

-and protected them without imprisoning them, neither Ernst nor Anna.

You can't say that I have forced them.

I have sat in my study.

Sometimes listening for footsteps and voices.

Then I hear the door to the coat closet and I know that Anna is home from school.

And then my heart begins to pound.

Will she skip in and swing open the door?

Will she come to me in my study-

-hug me and tell me some important thing?

-That was a long time ago, Johan. -Yes.

It is not worth lamenting over something that will never happen again.

The main thing is that they are healthy and happy with their lives.

You and I are mostly used up and have to go into retreat.

You're still trying to control her life. How is that going?

I can't just stand idle-

-and watch how accidents pass before my eyes.

So you have decided?

Decided?

That would mean that I had a moment of doubt.

-Good Night, my friend. -Good Night.

It is so thorough, so disciplined-

-and even still, poetic.

Isn't it beautiful, Anna?

-Are you tired? -Perhaps just a little.

You should order some breakfast in your room, like me.

-Should we eat in the hotel, or outside? -It's up to you, Mamma.

Then we'll eat in the hotel and then take a long nap afterward.

Did you know that Count Snoilsky used to live here?

I knew him and met him many times.

A fine, but sad man.

I received a letter from your brother Oskar. Did I already tell you this morning?

Everything is fine at Trädgårdsgatan. Pappa misses us.

He misses you in particular-

-but he never complains. We should try to call home.

-Why don't we hear from Ernst? -Ernst? You know how he is.

-But I wrote him seven weeks ago. -Don't get worried.

I'm not worried.

-Pappa and I write daily. -I want to go home.

-Can't we go straight home tomorrow? -But we have our travel plans.

Can't things be changed once they are decided upon?

-What would the Egermans say? -They are your friends, not mine.

-Elna is actually your childhood friend. -I don't care about Elna.

-I don't give a damn about Elna. -You are like a disobedient child.

We can't just drop the Egermans, they'll be sad and hurt.

-You go to Florence, and I'll go home. -That's just stupid!

We'll do exactly what we agreed to do.

It's cold and wet at home.

The doctor wants us in the warmth until you adjust.

We'll be home after mid-summer.

KNOCKING

KNOCKING

Mamma!

-Un telegramma per la signora. -Grazie.

It's a telegram.

Can I see?

Pappa died last night.

He was alone and it was at night.

Mamma, come and sit down.

He was alone and I wasn't there.

-I left him alone. -Don't think like that, mamma.

You can't go on thinking like this.

Mamma!

When Pappa asked if I wanted to marry-

-even though he was almost twice my age and had three grown sons-

-I decided without a moment of thought.

I didn't love him.

I was not fond of him, I was sure of that.

But I did like him.

I felt sorry for him because he was so terribly alone-

-with his lazy housekeepers who tricked him out of his money.

The neglected home and the three boys in need of discipline.

I also felt a bit alone-

-so I thought that we could lessen one another's loneliness.

-That's not such a bad thing. -No, Anna, it was a mistake.

One loneliness is acceptable. But two is hard to bear.

But one should never look back.

Then you and Ernst came along...

It was like a salvation.

Ernst was Mamma's little boy and Anna, Pappa's little girl.

-Is that right? -But Mamma...

Yes, maybe you are right.

-No, let's get some rest. -Yes.

Mamma... How are you, Mamma?

There is something you must know...

-... in regards to you. -We can wait on that.

It's best you tell me now, what is so important.

In regards to Henrik...

-Aha... -You wrote to him.

Yes, that's right. I wrote to him.

I haven't received an answer, the letter must have gotten lost.

No, it wasn't lost.

I have to tell you...

I took that letter, read it and burned it.

-I destroyed the letter. -No, Mamma!

I must speak out since your father warned me.

He said it was unfair, and that we shouldn't get involved.

It would make things worse. He warned me.

I have no explanations.

I thought it was in your best interest.

Mamma!

Now that Johan is gone I need to tell you what happened.

I don't want to know any more.

I can't even ask your forgiveness-

-because I know that you will never forgive me.

I don't think I will.

In any case, now you know.

When we get home I will find Henrik, and tell him everything.

I only ask this one thing:

Don't tell him that I burned the letter.

-Why not? -lf you marry Henrik...

You understand that telling him will make the hate insurmountable.

We still have to live with each other.

Why?

Now you know.

Yes, now I do.

Shall we go to bed?

We need a little sleep, tomorrow will be a long day.

You look different.

You do too.

You are prettier.

You look so sad.

I've missed you.

I'm coming now, Henrik.

-Is this for real? -Yes, for real.

I'm coming now.

I want to give you something.

Open it up.

It's nothing special. I bought it in Amalfi.

Mary at the Annunciation.

It's pretty.

-Your father died. -Yes.

-The funeral is the day after tomorrow. -Is it difficult for you?

I lived for his love, if you can understand that.

I never gave it a thought, except when it troubled me.

Now I am sad that I was childish and ungrateful.

It's Ernst.

I asked him to come because I couldn't bear coming alone.

Ernst wanted to bet five crowns that you would be home.

Here you are, and Ernst has won five crowns.

I temporarily took over a congregation here.

I'll apply for an assignment in Norrland.

-You're not alone anymore. -No, I can change

No, don't be so stupid. We'll go up first and look around.

-The Rector is old. -We'll check him out too.

My pay will be meager.

Listen to me! We'll get engaged as soon as the funeral is over.

We'll order the rings this afternoon and then you'll write to the Rector-

-that you and your future wife are coming to inspect the rectory-

-the church and the Rector himself.

Then we'll get married. We'll have a splendid wedding.

What are you looking at?

I'm looking at you.

We have waited so long for this, Henrik.

What does your mother say about this?

Since Italy, it has been of less significance.

Has something happened?

Henrik... I thought that lovers should promise-

-to be sincere to each other until death.

That they shouldn't hold secrets. But that's stupid.

I don't want to ever demand that you reveal your secrets.

-The truth? -The truth is something else.

We must be truthful.

-We can't forget the kissing. -No, the kissing is important.

I have asked you to come here to discuss some decisions.

First I'd like to give Henrik a warm welcome into our family.

I would like now to put our conflicts and bitterness behind us.

lf we try hard both conciliation-

-and friendship can be possible.

We have been to Elgérus the lawyer and taken up your father's last will.

lf I have understood the reactions correctly everyone, without exception-

-has accepted the dispositions and found them written with care.

I appreciate our unity.

During Johan's life, we discussed what would happen-

-with this house if Johan should pass away before me.

He explained his firm desire that l, alone, would be the house's owner.

The remaining family members would be compensated with stocks and capital.

Does anyone have any questions?

No one dares say a word when Karin makes her decrees.

I'm just saying what everyone thinks.

-Svea does not represent the family's point of view.

Didn't Gustav say just yesterday that Mamma is lethally dangerous?

Svea is lying and she knows it.

Svea's hatred toward Mamma knows no bounds

I will die soon enough and I'm the only one who dares to tell the truth.

-Dear Svea! -Is that all you have to say?

Shut your mouth, Svea, before your wickedness splits you in two.

Nobody believes in your powers anymore, your body is poisoned with wickedness.

Personally, I have no objections.

As far as I understand it, Mamma Karin can do whatever she damned well wants with this house.

-Have we ever stopped to think of her? -No, but you've all cringed and smiled.

And mocked her when her back is turned.

Gustav, Carl, Oskar Åkerblom. The Three Musketeers!

lf you are planning on continuing this bullshit, I'm considering retreating.

Henrik is here for the first time-

-and for his sake and Anna's we should limit the worst of these invectives.

One might say that Pappa's death has pulled the cork from the bottle.

Why isn't Mamma saying anything?

What would you like me to say? You have always had your mutual conflicts.

Now that Pappa is dead you all pounce on me.

-I completely understand. -Pardon, it is Svea, alone...

Sometimes I wonder what the family would be like-

-if I hadn't married into it, and been complicit.

It is an amusing thought. I was so eager and wanted the best.

Order, cleanliness, togetherness, training.

Good intentions.

Don't think that I am bitter. I'm just thinking.

What would have happened to Mamma had she not taken care of us?

You ask good questions, Carl.

What would have happened to me? I would have continued teaching.

Continued to offer other people's children a bit of good manners and training.

I have never doubted the truth in my actions.

I have, perhaps, acted falsely in some trivial things-

-but the main thing is that I have nothing to reproach myself with.

-Shall we have some coffee? -Certainly.

We aren't so dreadful as we seem. We can be quite pleasant.

Now, Anna and Henrik must come for an engagement dinner here.

-What a strange boy! -Put all the grudges behind us.

Henrik must tell Oskar. Our last meeting was quite unpleasant-

-but I felt obliged to be drawn to the extreme.

Henrik and Anna please, do come have dinner at our place.

Please excuse my outburst. he doctor says my medicine throws me off balance

Henrik shouldn't believe that Aunt Svea is so unpleasant.

I warned you and now you have been caught. Blame yourself!

I'm warning your future mate, but it is useless.

-What have you been drinking, Carl? -Well, certainly not the roses.

Come now, let's go!

-Shouldn't we have the coffee first? -No, Anna.

Goodbye, Aunt Karin. Thank you for this day.

You'll be coming for dinner? You are coming back?

No, we won't be back for dinner. We're going out for a good time.

-Enjoy yourselves. Do you have money? -Thanks, Mamma. We'll manage.

Oh, your fiancée is even more beautiful in person than on the card you sent!

I do hope you'll be happy with my boy! Henrik, are you happy?

No, how idiotic of me. Now you'll be embarrassed.

I thought Anna might stay in Henrik's old room.

I have a lodger, but he has been nice enough to move out for a couple of days.

He smokes cigars. I aired it out, but you can still smell it.

-I don't notice a thing. -Oh, yes you do.

It could be nice to sleep in your fiancé's old room.

-Then I'll sleep on the ottoman in the dining room. -No, I'll sleep there.

I'll lay like a drawn sword between you two lovers.

Mamma, you're being silly, I'll take the ottoman. End of discussion.

Listen to him! Such a dictator... Is he like this with you too, Anna?

Or is it only with his mother that he makes such commands?

Well, I've put tea and sandwiches on the table.

-Mamma's sandwiches are artistic delicacies. -Now Henrik, you're playing with me.

My doctor says I should always think about my weight, because of my asthma.

Dear child!

Here's Henrik. He was so small!

Poor little Henrik. Oh Heavens, Anna!

This is so embarrassing - I was already "fat Mamma".

That's right, we were all fat in my family.

And then came thin little Henrik who we hugged and coddled.

Do you remember when we played "church"? You were the minister and we

You were so nice and sweet, we wanted to gobble you up.

You were cheerful and friendly and polite.

Then, moaning and misery. You never wanted to play with other children.

I invited his schoolmates home, but Henrik would lock himself in the bathroom.

Well, dear Anna... Now you will take care of him.

My word, life hasn't always been so merciful...

Now Henrik has become a minister-

-as I had hoped, and that is the main thing.

-I can't complain... -Please don't cry, Mamma.

-Can't we be happy this evening? -Yes.

Aunt Alma could come and stay with us for long stretches.

We'll have plenty of space at the rectory.

Dear Mamma, we'll never abandon you.

The hard times are over, everything will be better now.

"The hard times are over". You speak as though you know.

What do you know about my life? I'm not planning on being a sponge.

I'm not particularly shrewd, but I'm not dumb either.

You two will live your lives.

I'll finish mine. Such as it is, such as it will be.

That must be Freddy, an old friend. Please excuse me!

Good Day, Henrik. Well, it can't have been yesterday!

It must be ten years or so?

-Congratulations on your ordination! -Thanks.

-Anna. -Good Day, Miss Åkerblom.

I can see that Henrik has inherited his father's sense of female beauty.

Henrik's father was one of my closest friends-

-but he was younger than l. I was the same age as his grandfather.

-I never knew my grandfather. -No, I know that.

I got to know Henrik's grandmother.

Your grandmother once spoke to me about you, Henrik.

She thought that your grandfather and his family committed-

-a terrible crime against both your mother and you.

Thoughts of the insecurity and destitution, of both of you, made her sick.

She also tried to explain her powerlessness.

-Then she died, poor soul. -Yes.

Did you see her before she passed away?

-She really needed... -She was in the Academic Hospital.

I was reading for my exams and kept putting it off.

Did you see your grandfather?

We met, but we had nothing to say to one another.

I was at the funeral, but I didn't see you there.

I didn't go to my grandmother's funeral.

I understand.

Farewell.

Good Night, Aunt Alma. Thanks for having us here. It has been so nice.

-Will you turn out the lights? -I'll do that later.

-Don't fall asleep and forget. -I won't.

-Anna is a sweet girl. -Yes.

Anna is a very sweet girl. And beautiful.

A real princess.

You must take good care of her.

Right now at all seems like a dream.

I don't think it's just me.

You shouldn't blame yourself about this thing with your grandmother.

No one is more innocent than you.

Good Night, my dear boy.

-Hi. -Hi, come here!

-Oh, such cold feet! -They'll be warm soon enough.

I've always had warm feet.

I have to put them outside the blanket and pull them in later. Nice.

-You and your delights... -I'll have to teach you.

What will you teach me?

-Now? -Yes, Please!

Your mother can hear.

To think that I'm lying in my old bed cuddling with you.

We can't sleep together.

I'm not sure Mamma would serve us coffee in bed.

-Good Night. -Good Night. Don't forget me!

I've already started thinking about you.

Dear Lord, forgive my sins today and for all days.

Dear Lord, protect and bless my boy.

Dear Lord, forgive me that I can't love this girl.

Dear Lord, take her away from Henrik's life.

lf I am mistaken, if my thoughts are darkened with spite-

-punish me, not him or her.

I have something Anna should have.

Mamma, you've been crying. Her face is red and swollen.

She's always swollen, and she likes to cry.

I received this medallion, from Henrik's father, when we got engaged.

It was very expensive, but he didn't care about money.

There is a big A engraved on it-

-so Anna should take this as a gift from Henrik's father-

-as though he were here.

-May I hang it around your neck, Anna? -It is too beautiful.

Hush now, silly girl.

It is a simple gift, You are certainly used to better.