Original subtitles

"I'LL NEVER FORGET THE SCREAMS UTTERED WHEN THE BOMB HIT THE SITE"

"THE SCHOOL, DARK FROM BEING SHUTTERED, CHILDREN CRYING OUT OF FRIGHT"

Early on in 1945, the resistance had repeatedly asked the British

to bomb the Gestapo headquarters at the Shell House in Copenhagen.

The Royal Air Force hesitated.

Captured members of the resistance were kept under the roof as human shields.

However, in March, the Gestapo was so close to unraveling the resistance

that a decision was made to attack.

JUTLAND, FEBRUARY 1945

There's a run in my stocking.

We can use the nail polish.

Somebody wants to talk to you.

- They came to my house. - What?

My mom said two men came to the house.

- Can I stay here? Just for a while? - Here?

- Just for a few hours. - No. Are you crazy?

- Why not? - You just can't. Svend, please leave.

They'll kill me.

I can't help you.

Do you understand? I can't.

Did you talk to Petersen?

I can't find him.

I would go to the Shell House.

I'll see you there later.

The Shell House?

Yes.

- I'll go there. - Good.

Frede?

I owed you ten kroner.

Bye.

Do you have to wear that shit uniform at the table?

Come on now. It's just a white shirt.

Why do we live with that vermin?

Huh? Can you tell me that?

Shame on you.

Shame.

Did you have a good day, Grandma?

That is not the son you gave birth to.

The son you gave birth to isn't here anymore.

What happened to him?

He became a HIPO pig. A traitor.

- How fucking dare you! Come here! - Don't touch me, Dad.

- Leave me alone, pig! - What's wrong with you?

- Don't touch me! - Stand up, goddammit.

Our fists will crush them if they spite us

Youth, Youth

Our flag--

I know, Dad!

Our flag waves ahead of us

We march into the future with our men

We march for Hitler Through the night and suffering

With the flag of Youth…

What does she want down here? Down

She wants to marry Henrik Henrik, Henrik

She wants to marry Henrik Henrik

So please say yes and smile Smile, smile

Say yes and…

Would you watch Selma for a minute?

WINDOWS - BLINDS - PICTURES

A girl came a-walking Walking, walking

A girl came a-walking Walking

And what does she want down here? Down, down

What does she want down here? Down

She wants to marry Henrik Henrik, Henrik

She wants to marry Henrik Henrik

But she is not allowed Allowed, allowed

She is not allowed Allowed

- Svend! - So she wants to marry Peter…

Svend Nielsen!

She wants to marry Peter…

Svend!

Svend Nielsen?

Are you Svend Nielsen?

- No, that's not me. - Show me your ID.

- It's not me. - Show me your papers.

- Come on. - It's not me.

It's not me.

It's not me.

It's not me.

Well, that looks okay.

You should say hello to Poul.

Damn it.

- Take a look, Herr Schultz. - Yes, sir.

Eva! Dad, it's Eva from my class.

Eva, it's me, Greta.

Eva.

- Who do you think that was? - A snitch.

He knew too much.

Did he know too much, Mom?

Was it because he knew too much?

Come on.

Come on.

Honey, there's nothing there.

Henry, we're going to be late.

We'll be… Come on now!

Henry…

Henry!

What's the matter, Henry?

You stubborn little mite.

We can't go anywhere.

But the worst part is the voice.

That's no good at all, is it, Henry?

You need to answer your mother when she asks you a question.

If you don't reply, it'll make your mother nervous.

And then, of course, you can't tell us what's wrong.

What did you see out there?

Tell me.

What did you see?

Did you see the people in the car?

I don't understand it at all.

You've got to say something, Henry!

Speak!

Say something.

Pull yourself together!

Be a man instead of a measly little weakling!

It might sound harsh, but sometimes the best cure is to scare them a bit.

Can you say something now, Henry? Can you?

Can you say something now?

Can you?

Apparently not.

I've been thinking…

I have a sister in Copenhagen.

Not a lot of blue skies there, and he fears the sky the most.

So your reward is a trip to Copenhagen

for acting like a sissy.

Well, well. Good luck with that, then.

This is what will happen.

I'll ask you a question.

If you do not reply, I'll ask you if you're ready.

And then I'll whip you.

Shall we get started?

- I don't know anything. I'm just-- - No, you're just a small fish.

- Correct. That's what I am. - You're no fish.

You're a gnat. A little gnat of a human being.

Take off your shirt. Straddle the chair with your arms up.

As you wish.

You'll talk, all right.

You all do.

It may not look impressive.

As the first lash hits you, you'll think your pain threshold is really high.

But it's not.

The next lash is excruciating.

We know you're one of the leaders.

Which of these names do you work with?

Truelsen, Schoch, Bork Andersen, Lippmann, Tiemroth?

I know an Andersen.

It's my local butcher.

Ready?

Where do you normally hold your meetings?

- I don't know… - Ready?

Just lean into it.

That'll make it easier.

What's the line of command between the SOE and the Freedom Council? Ready?

What?

I can't hear you.

Your time's up, you dirty traitor.

You're not supposed to hit me when I'm not ready.

You ask the question, ask if I'm ready, and then you hit me!

That was the deal.

You despicable subhuman!

Come here.

What are you doing? Step away from the door.

A FREE DENMARK

Sister Teresa?

Sister Teresa?

- Yes. - The Prioress wants to speak with you.

They say you're flogging yourself.

We're not 15th-century Jesuits.

We're the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Why are you doing it?

Well, say something, girl.

I'm looking for God.

I beg your pardon?

I'm looking for God.

And why would He appear before you if you flog yourself?

If it's a sin, He'll punish me for it. Then I'll know God sees me.

God doesn't bother with your pain.

Teresa, God is omnipresent.

But He can't be.

With everything that's happening…

Does God really think so little of us humans?

God loves us humans.

And are the Jews not humans?

Maybe it's because they don't believe Christ to be the Son of God.

And is that punishable by death?

What about the children bombed in London and Berlin?

The ones we hear about being dragged off to and killed in camps?

- We don't know anything about that. - Are they not humans?

Teresa, God is both within you

and in those suffering.

He can't take away their suffering, but…

He can offer them comfort.

And what if they lose their faith?

Then they've nothing left.

Yes.

Then they've nothing left.

I am the beautiful Elizabeth of Thuringia.

There is famine and distress in this world.

It's really hard right now.

Yes, but they're saying it'll thankfully be over soon.

Yes.

But poor Henry…

Large open spaces are the worst since they show the most sky.

Yes, I can well imagine.

Then you practically have to drag him out.

He'll be fine here.

- It is incredibly kind of you. - Not at all.

It's the least we can do.

- Hey, you. - Say hello to Aunt Anna, please.

Good morning, Rigmor. Did you sleep well?

Is it because you saw those people who died in the burning car?

Is that why you stopped speaking?

Rigmor.

Let's only talk about happy things. Remember?

This is Wolle.

Some teddies find children constantly hugging them childish.

But Wolle doesn't mind.

- I have to catch the train. - Yes.

Make him use the notepad. It's really helpful.

Yes, of course.

Darling boy,

you'll be safe and happy here.

You'll have a wonderful time.

Will you look after Henry?

At school as well?

I spoke to the Sisters.

They look forward to having him.

I'll see you in a month's time, my sweet.

Okay?

Bye now.

Remember to say something.

All right. Off you go. Catch your train.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, my darling.

Bye, Henry.

Eva saw someone die too. He was shot in the head.

But you can still talk. Right, Eva?

- You have to say something to talk. - What do you want me to say?

See? She can talk even though she saw someone die.

Try it.

Just say something.

It's okay.

You probably just have a frog in your throat.

- Might a bun help? - Oh no.

Come on.

It'll be dangerous.

You see, the problem is

that the truly frightening thing is that the Hippo lives in there.

Because the Death Witch lives inside the Hippo.

And her pointy fingers are made of the bones of dead children.

But that's not the worst thing.

Her eyes can burn holes so you must never meet her gaze.

Never!

But that's not the worst thing.

- The worst thing is… - The buns are poisoned.

- One bite will kill you. - One bite will kill you.

Come on.

You probably want to know why we want a lethal bun.

Rigmor has the antidote.

Wait up, Henry.

- It might get a bit difficult now. - Yes.

We're approaching a wide avenue with a lot of visible sky.

It's a really wide avenue.

But we'll just do it like this.

We'll tie a clothesline around your waist, then I'll drag you.

- You just have to follow. - Yes.

That's how we reach the other side.

And Eva is right behind you too.

Come on, Henry. Come!

Come on.

- Eva, push him. - I'm pushing.

- Come on, Henry. - Come on.

We're almost there. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Come on, Henry.

Eva, push him.

Come on. You can do it.

Come on.

Come on.

- Come on now. - Come on.

You made it!

- Yes, you did it! - Tomorrow, you can do it without the line.

Yes.

- No! - Are you crazy?

It's poisoned.

You have to dip it three times.

And then you hold it to Jesus.

Then you can eat it.

We survived!

HURRAY!

- Hurray! - Hurray!

There you are. Follow me. We're going on a trip. Come on.

This is my cousin Henry. He doesn't speak.

Right. Welcome, Henry.

Stop! Stop, you pig! Stop!

Stop!

- No. - Get away from me.

Come on, children. No, don't look. Don't look.

Just walk on. Come on. Walk. Don't look. Look the other way. Come on.

No, avert your eyes. You there, don't look.

Come on. We're leaving.

Ouch!

HIPO pig! You fucking HIPO pig!

Stay down. And stop when we tell you to.

Can I help you?

You're the Devil.

If you don't find God, you will burn.

What?

Teresa!

What on earth are you thinking, girl?

Traitor!

Dirty HIPO pig!

Frede, are you coming?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello.

Where are we?

At Vestre Prison?

No, we're at the Shell House.

The Shell House?

I walked up the stairs. I'm under the roof of the Shell House.

- Under the roof? - Yes, the roof.

We're in the cells. Under the roof.

Under the roof at the Shell House.

How many of us are there?

I don't know.

Thirty, maybe.

Forty.

We'll hopefully be transferred to Vestre Prison soon.

No.

No?

We're human shields.

An attack is imminent.

By the British?

Do you think they'll come?

Yes.

So we're expendable?

Yes.

But…

- How do you know for sure? - I was there.

When we decided.

- That the Royal Air Force would bomb us? - Yes.

And here you are, locked up here.

Yes, that is admittedly a bit strange.

- Absurd. - Yes.

Absurd.

You!

Stop.

Turn around.

You may pass.

What do you want? Tell me.

The other day,

you said something.

The thing about God.

I don't know what it meant.

- And it's too late. - What is too late?

The war is over.

I'm doomed.

- Well, that's a shame. - I don't want your pity.

What do you want, then?

You came to me and said I had to find God.

- He doesn't like black uniforms. - Your habit's black, isn't it?

What does God say about self-righteous virgins shunning the real world?

- I shouldn't talk to someone from HIPO. - No, I'm missing a halo.

I'm the Devil incarnate.

Kiss me.

What?

If I kiss someone like you, God will surely punish me.

Then I'll know He exists.

Kiss me.

No.

Well.

Hey.

No.

Lightning didn't strike me.

God does not exist.

You may pass.

As you know, our annual theater production is Elizabeth of Thuringia.

She lived in 13th-century Germany.

Although Elizabeth was of royal descent, she did everything in her power

to help the poor.

And then what happened?

Yes, Greta?

The rich, evil Jews didn't like that she was helping people.

One day, when she arrived with her basket of bread,

the rich, evil Jews stopped her.

I don't think they were Jews.

But, other than that, you are correct.

And then what happened

when they wanted to see the contents of her basket?

Rigmor?

They turned into roses.

God performed a miracle.

In order to help Elizabeth hide the bread, He turned the bread into roses.

Yes?

- Sister Hanna, do you have a minute? - Teresa, would you take over, please?

Yes, Rigmor?

How could bread turn into roses?

Well, that's what a miracle is.

There are numerous accounts

of statues of the Virgin Mary suddenly coming to life and weeping.

In Civitavecchia in Italy, sometimes she cries tears of blood.

And it is said that other Madonnas may even speak.

But how?

Because God can do anything.

- Always? - Yes.

Even when He is sleeping?

God never sleeps.

- How does He stay awake? - Well, sometimes…

Sometimes…

very rarely though…

something might distract Him.

And then Sister Teresa just told us to drop our pencils.

So we did, of course.

And then they laid there on the floor. Then we had to pick them up again.

Then Sister Teresa said something about

God's hours and minutes being entirely different from ours.

See? It took perhaps three seconds.

Three seconds where you didn't look at me because you were looking at the pencils.

GOD LIVES GOD SLEEPS

God's hours, minutes, and seconds are entirely different from ours.

So, to God, a single day

may feel the same as 100 years.

Or, to God, a second may feel like a year.

So, if you glance away

for a couple of seconds,

then He's not there.

So, if God dropped a pencil, He looks away.

Then He's gone for two years.

Okay. And Sister Teresa said all that?

I'm just thinking that if we're really unlucky,

God may be taking a nap right now.

While we all exist.

And that might be for 100 years.

If it's a long nap, it may be even longer.

Teresa!

Oh, what's that?

What happened right there?

With the little muscles which you don't use so often?

Was that a smile?

So you do know how to smile.

SHE IS CRAZY

Yes, that's right.

What does it say?

Me?

If anyone's crazy, it's you!

- You're definitely the crazy one, okay? - Yes.

I'm a Hawaiian nun called Henry.

I'm very fond of my niece, Rigmor,

who is both very nice and clever.

And her mom and dad are nice too,

because they say the war's over soon.

Which is lucky, because God just stepped out to buy some cigarettes.

- That's brilliant. Beautiful. Encore! - Bravo! Encore!

If you want an encore, take a look at this.

Henry, do try to keep up.

Hi, my name is Henry.

I can't talk,

but if Rigmor and I had a cookie each,

I'll be all cured.

No, no. It's time for bed, children.

- Bravo. - That was so good.

Sister.

What is it?

Did you kiss me because I'm the Devil?

Yes.

I don't want to be the Devil anymore.

Sister!

Teach me how to pray.

Here.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou…

Read it.

I can't read.

Repeat after me.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with thee.

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women.

Blessed art thou among women.

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Again.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with…

If you wanted to kiss the Devil,

it should be here.

No.

No, you can't. Not here.

No, stop.

Stop!

No, stop.

He spoke to us.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I'm such a bastard.

My name is Frederik.

Teresa.

I can't.

Yes, you can.

I won't.

Stop it. Finish your breakfast. End of story.

But I don't feel well.

There's nothing wrong with you.

- I'm not hungry. - You'll be hungry in a minute.

As soon as you leave.

You can't go to school on an empty stomach.

I don't like it.

Remember "The Story of Soup-Kaspar"?

He wouldn't eat either. Nope.

After four days, he was just skin and bones.

After five days, Kaspar was dead because he wouldn't eat his soup.

Dead.

Finish your food!

Fine. Off you go on an empty stomach.

Go on. Your porridge will be here when you get back. You'll eat it cold.

Wait! Wait for me!

What is it?

Nothing.

- Where's Frederik? - I haven't seen him in two days.

I don't know what the Corps will do.

But it's over.

My son.

You're doomed once the liberation comes.

Goodbye, son.

Rigmor.

Rigmor, what on earth are you doing?

I'm walking with my basket.

Yes, but just walk around a little, saying hello to people.

Then step forward, and speak to the audience.

- Fine. - Yes. Go on, then.

Rigmor, why aren't you stopping?

I thought I should go say hello to my old grandmother in the woods.

No, you shouldn't. We're not performing a fairy tale.

If you say so.

I am the beautiful Elizabeth of Thuringia.

There is famine and distress in this world.

My heart is broken. My faith is weak.

Little children die from hunger.

Tonight, I heard a calling, a sound.

"Elizabeth, my harbinger. I am the Lord, and this is the truth."

Who is it?

Open the basket.

Thank you.

Thank you, girls. That was lovely.

Eva, could you come down here, please?

What is wrong with you? Does your tummy hurt?

- Did you not have breakfast? - No.

Eva.

You can't survive without eating breakfast.

Well, off you go to the bathroom.

Yes, you can go too.

Did you find God?

Or do you prefer your HIPO pig?

I spoke to the Prioress.

Today's your last day at the school.

What you did is an abomination.

Try dipping your head.

Maybe it will make you better.

It's the antidote.

Come on. Try it.

Help! Keys!

Let us out!

Give them to me!

Give them to me, goddammit! Let go!

Calm down. Let's go two-by-two. Come on now. Let's go.

- Calmly and quietly. - No running, girls. Nice and calmly.

Come on!

Go.

Calmly and quietly.

Get away from the stairs! Away!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

Teresa!

- Teresa! - Teresa!

- Teresa! - Get down in the basement. Go.

Did you hurt your finger, sweetie? There you go.

It's okay. It'll grow back.

It'll grow back again.

- What's happening? - They're bombing the school.

- They're bombing the French school. - They're bombing the school.

Emma!

Go inside. Wait in the theater.

Has anyone seen Eva?

Eva?

Tell me, have you seen Eva?

- Did she come out? Did you see her? - No.

- Emma, you need to stay here. - Rigmor.

Stay here! Emma, stay! Listen to me now!

I'll find her! Okay? I'll find her.

- You need to find her. - I'll find them both.

Mommy!

- Hello? - Mommy!

Hello!

- Hello? - Mommy!

Help! There's someone down here! There's somebody here!

Mommy!

Hello! Is anybody there?

Hello!

Mommy!

Mommy.

Oh my God.

Help.

Here.

We found someone!

No.

Okay.

Rigmor?

Greta?

Greta and Rigmor, are you there?

Are you there?

Sister?

Where are you, Rigmor?

Sister Teresa?

Yes. Where are you?

I'm down here.

- How long do we have to stay here? - We need…

We just need to wait a while. Then somebody will come and get us.

Greta?

Greta?

Why isn't Greta answering?

Come on. Off you go. Come!

Go wait at the theater.

Hey! You there! Yes, you. Come over here.

Come here!

Hey! Hello!

Are you okay?

I need someone to write descriptions of each of the girls we rescue.

Give the descriptions to the lady at the theater

so that she can tell the parents whom we've rescued.

Can you do that?

How about that one? Can you write on that? Can you?

Great.

See that girl?

Do you see her? Blonde hair, green dress, yellow socks.

Eight years of age. Write it down. She's going to Frederiksberg Hospital.

Write that down too.

If they can talk, ask their names and write them down.

Then deliver the note. Got it?

Well done, boy. Off you go. Go!

She's conscious. Get her name. Run over to the theater with it.

Go on, goddammit!

- We have to get moving. - What…

Wha…

What's your…

What's your name?

Your name? What…

What's your name?

What's your name?

What's your name?

Done? Great. Go.

What's your name?

What? You have to speak…

You have to…

- Louder. - Jenny.

How old are you?

Seven.

- What color is your dress? - Done.

Lift.

Rigmor?

Yes.

Can you see anything?

I can't see a thing.

But I can feel water rising up to my belly.

Water?

Are you lying on your stomach?

Rigmor?

Are you lying on your stomach?

Yes. There's a lot of water now.

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

I'm going in.

Does anyone have a flashlight?

Here.

Eva?

Come on, everyone. All the parents…

- Did you find her? - No.

Follow me to the seats.

- Do we have to stay here? - Yes.

It's this way. Come into the theater.

- Would you please tell the parents… - Yes.

…where they've taken them. Thank you.

If we stay here, we'll get messages from the school

about the girls they've found

and where they're taking them.

There is a young girl.

She's seven.

Wearing a red dress.

She's going to Frederiksberg Hospital.

Her name is Jenny.

Jenny!

Well done, sweetie.

Hurry up and get some more messages, okay?

Then we have little Agnete, aged eight.

She's been taken to Frederiksberg Hospital.

Grey dress and red socks. Black hair.

Rigmor?

Rig…

Come on. Follow me this way.

Help!

We're coming!

We're here!

We're on our way! We're coming!

Did you hear that, Rigmor?

Did you hear that?

Rigmor?

Are you there?

Are you there?

Yes.

Did you hear that? Someone's coming for us.

Someone's coming.

We're coming!

Rigmor.

Rigmor.

Rigmor!

Rigmor!

The water.

It's rising.

The water's rising.

The water…

Can you still feel it beneath you?

It's almost up to my mouth now.

Could you lift your head?

Can you?

But my mouth is already all the way up.

How?

How, Rigmor?

There's some iron going through my chin,

lifting up my head.

Through it?

Hel…

Help!

We're down here!

- We're here. - Hello!

We're here. Help us. Help. We're here.

The water's rising! Help!

Help! The water's rising!

Goddammit.

Goddammit to hell.

Read it!

Read it!

Can you read it? Just read.

Can you help me read this, please?

Blonde hair, eight years of age.

Yellow socks…

- Blue… - Louder.

Blonde, eight years of age, yellow socks, blue dress.

Nora!

Henry!

Oh my God!

Are you okay? Are you?

Did you see Rigmor?

Did you see her? Did you?

No.

- I have to go… - Where is she?

Henry!

Sister Teresa?

Yes, Rigmor?

Do you think God dropped a pencil?

Yes, I do.

Do you think they'll be much longer?

Maybe.

I don't know.

And then, will we go to Heaven?

Yes.

We all will.

And is Jesus waiting for us?

Yes. He is.

He definitely is.

Yes. He is.

The basement's filling with water. They're drowning!

Hello?

The children are in the basement.

- What did you say? - They're in the basement.

- That's where we'll find most of them. - And the water?

- What about the water? - What about it?

Jensen!

Rasmussen!

Get the pumps.

Get all the pumps you can get your hands on. Now! Go!

- There's too much water rising. - Come on!

- Come on! - Come on!

We're coming!

Hello? Where are you?

Hello! We're here.

We're down here.

I have a hose to pump the water with. I'll try to get it to you!

Rigmor?

Rigmor?

Listen to me. I'm sending a hose down to you.

It'll pump away the water.

Do you hear me, Rigmor?

It'll make the water go away.

Rigmor?

Rigmor!

Rigmor!

Rigmor!

Rigmor!

Rigmor.

Rig…

We're so stupid.

I yelled at her.

I said she'd die.

It was the last thing I said to her.

Because she wouldn't eat her porridge.

Because she wouldn't eat.

I need some air.

You're the boy with the notes?

Do you have a note about Eva?

Eva? She's blonde.

Brown coat, gingham dress, yellow socks and gloves.

But Eva isn't here anymore.

What do you mean?

Why isn't she here anymore?

I think she went home.

ADULTS KILLED

CATHOLIC SISTERS

TEACHERS

CHILDREN KILLED