Original subtitles

I'm writing this for it to be remembered.

But who the reader is, I do not know.

Denmark was a country under the sun.

And no one could ever have imagined -

- that the most bloody defeat was waiting to happen.

It became the story of a forgotten time and war.

The story of Laust, Peter, Johan and Didrich.

Of Sofia, Karen, Dinesen, Einar.

Erasmus, Alfred and the thousands of others -

- who fell victim to euphoric blunders of mad people.

And to our own belief in them.

I'm Inge. The estate manager's daughter.

The love of Laust and Peter. I'm the last living witness.

I am the times that have disappeared.

Let's all gather here before we move on.

Okay. This is where it all happened. The 18th of April, 1864.

The Danish army fought against the Prussians. Caroline!

Someone tap Caroline on the shoulder.

Now, only some indentations and entrenchments are left.

But

Try to picture, by using your imagination

that the Prussian army came in over there.

And over here lay the Danish defense positions.

Is anybody listening? We drove all the way over here.

Dybbel Mralle.

Right here, young Danish soldiers fought an impossible battle -

- against a massive Prussian army.

Dybbel Mralle.

This is some Grade A weed.

I'm gonna make a fortune. You want some?

You'll never get rich, Zlatko.

"Entrenchment lV."

"Fallen on the 18th of April, 1864. Captain S.U.R. Lundbye."

"2nd Regiment. Alongside several privates."

"Their names have not been written."

How lame. Got a monument because he fell.

- I fell! I want a monument! - Idiot.

SOUTH FUNEN, 1851

Good morning.

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him."

If there were two of all the animal species -

- were there also two lice?

Noah brought two of all living creatures.

- But lice? - They're all God's creation.

- But lice? - You like it when they're gone.

Without lice I couldn't delouse you.

- Damn it. - No swearing!

Come, Peter!

Therefore, Denmark is at war right now.

Nobody is as brave as the Danish soldier.

The Germans are fleeing and Slesvig bends its head.

Many of your fathers are fighting.

You should be very proud of them for defending Denmark.

Peter's father is also fighting, while he's late for school.

The Germans are trying to devour Slesvig.

Like the wolf trying to lure the lost sheep. "Come with me."

But no! For this is the kingdom of Denmark.

And it stretches all the way down to here.

Slesvig is a part of Denmark, even though they don't believe it.

- Einar. - But don't they speak German?

Yes, but that will have to stop, because we only accept Danish.

That's why God gave us this flag. Yes, Peter?

Did it really fall from the sky?

Yes. God let the Dannebrog fall down to the Danish people -

- because he loves us the most.

- Hooray! - Hooray!

- Are you sure? - Yes. It's gonna come out.

I do it at least once a day -

- and then I put it in the jar over there.

It's coming.

Look.

This stuff is what makes children.

Then, why can't I just

You'll get there.

Why are the bells ringing?

- It's Didrich! - The soldiers are back!

I was 12 years old in 1851 -

- when the soldiers returned from the Three Years' War.

They had defeated the Prussians and the insurgents of Slesvig.

And everyone was thrilled with joy.

I still hear the women cry -

- when they reunite with their sons and husbands.

And I remember how handsome Didrich was -

- when he came riding on his horse, looking like a true prince.

I ran next to him on my bare feet, looking up in admiration.

And his father and his people -

- who greeted him with blind enthusiasm.

- There's our hero! - Hooray!

Didrich!

And that's

Get my son some brandy. Come, my son.

You didn't get me!

You bloody German!

Mom?

Father?

Come here, boys.

How many did you kill?

Let's not talk about that.

- More than Didrich, I'm sure. - Did you fix the fence yourself?

- Yes. - You're very skilled.

Peter reads books.

- He attends school and he can write. - You might study in Copenhagen.

- Maybe. - A priest in the family, perhaps?

Hooray!

How about it?

- How many did you whack? - About 120.

How are you feeling?

Did you assert yourself? Were you admired by your men?

Do you wish to continue in the military?

If you had seen what I have seen

- Grown men shredded to pieces. - Yes

I was standing next to my lieutenant and all of the sudden

his face was gone.

It was gone, father. It could have been me.

War is terribly messy.

Do you know how it feels, watching yourself die -

- every single day?

But you're alive. Your mother would have been happy.

To see you back in one piece. Safe and sound.

In one piece.

I'm not safe and sound.

Get a hold of yourself!

Not many people saw the scars on Didrich's soul.

Who knows what lurks behind appearances?

Even the strongest of us sometimes feel alone -

- like weak and whimpering children, or like bizarre demons.

Denmark is great.

Like the greatest of them all.

It's even bigger.

But the reactionaries, the conservatives -

- and the aristocrats have all the power.

Ditlev?

Can't you see that I'm working, woman?

My dearest Ditlev. We have to leave.

Thank you, Emilie.

For God's sake, Monrad. You're the rhetorician.

I need your help to defang the conservatives.

- Pull yourself together. - Where's your head at, Monrad?

We have to unite this country, but you're faltering.

Our leader provides the instruments. You make the music.

- But you're dead silent. - I know.

Oh hell, you need to speak out!

Don't talk about hell in front of me.

We've got a great project and we must do all it takes -

- to shut up the conservatives.

They too love the growing democracy.

The Danish colors are showing Europe -

- that we're a modern and democratic kingdom.

In order to unite people we need to use

Your rhetoric, Monrad.

This is what you do so well. You and Grundtvig.

Doesn't the Lord himself speak through priests like you?

Pull yourself together. You're the master here.

- What are we watching? - Mrs. Heiberg. MacBeth.

Yet do I fear thy nature.

It's too nice.

And too full of the milk of human kindness -

- to catch the nearest way.

Thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition -

- but without the illness should attend it.

What thou wouldst highly. That would thou holily.

Wouldst not play false -

- and yet wouldst wrongly win.

Thou dost have, which cries;

"Thus thou must do, if thou want it.“

And that, which rather thou dost fear to do -

- than wishest should be undone.

Dost thou not dare to follow your desires?

Dost thou only wish for life's finest ornament?

To stand a cur by your own estimation.

And to let your cowardice wait upon your wish.

Like the cat with a craving for fish -

- but not for wet paws.

Bravo!

Bravo!

Because it's your birthday you get this.

- And - Save some for Laust.

Thank you, Peter.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

"Linné's Book of Flora and Plants in Scandinavia."

- Wow. - I traded it with a Swedish person.

It's in Swedish, but that's easy to learn.

- I didn't find you a book, Laust. - That's okay.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Perhaps this will do instead.

You'd better check that a Prussian isn't stuck at the end of it.

Let's go, Peter.

That day the sun lit up this world of ours

which is infinitely small.

All I see are two filthy boys.

And they see me as a pillar risen from the ocean.

But that day became a day we would never forget.

This is no place for girls. This is our secret place!

That's right. This is our place!

You assholes! You gigantic -

- filthy and damned assholes!

- Who are you? - I'm Inge.

The new estate manager's daughter.

And this place is just as much mine as it is yours!

Anybody can stay here!

- What are your names, assholes? - I'm Laust.

We attend school together.

Were you the one, who got smacked?

What would you do?

This man, Egeus, has a beautiful daughter, Hermia -

- and all the young men want to marry her.

Especially Lysander and Demetrius.

Egeus wants Hermia to marry the wrong one, Demetrius -

- but she's in love with Lysander. But her father is in charge -

- and he doesn't like Lysander.

They ask Hermia to chose one of three solutions.

She can marry Demetrius, become an nun, or die.

What should she choose?

What should she choose? What should she choose?

- What are you doing? - What should she choose?

Death, of course!

Come on, you assholes!

The water is fantastic!

Come on!

Oh, to send back the clouds from where they came.

And to stay here for all eternity.

It felt as if time stood still.

If only time could stand still and we could live for eternity.

You can stay here for a while.

If you really want to.

You know how it is.

You're not supposed to lock the front door.

You always put the snap lock on. Sebastian might come home.

He might stand outside the door unable to come in -

- while we're sleeping.

Then he might leave again.

- I can't stand the thought - Mom, Sebastian is not coming home.

Sebastian is dead.

- Can I have some money? - No.

Why not?

Because I haven't got any money.

This is the third continuation school you quit.

I know it's hard on your mom, but it's hard on everybody.

What do you want to do, Claudia'?

I would like

I would like to have

my own TV show.

Go find yourself a job. You're scraping the bottom here.

But if you like it down there, be my guest. Goodbye.

Then what? What should I do?

Look at me. I need some help!

Do you know Hagenfeldt Estate? I do this because I know your mother.

You're too young for a job offer, so this is not a job.

The Baron is old and needs help.

But he refuses. We may need to remove him.

Unless

- I'm not wiping his old ass. - You may have something in common.

- Like what? - You also have no future.

So?

- So what? - Do you have the money?

What are you doing? Claudia!

When off to war I run When off to war I run

My girlfriend wants to come Yes, my girlfriend wants to come

To this I must say no, and off to war I go

Unless I fall in war I'll see you once more

If everything was dandy I'd stay here in your arms

Clematis Vitalba.

I've found a cure for your wound.

Clematis Vitalba.

It helps wounds that won't heal.

- What's the name again? - Clematis Vitalba.

Clematis

- Do you want me to go look for it? - Yes.

Run along. Both of you.

Plants can heal everything.

It's all to be found out here.

Most people only believe in stuff you can see and touch.

Especially men.

In the old days they used to burn women -

- who knew about the secrets of plants and nature.

Witches?

It's too bad you're men, because men are quite stupid.

Dad says Peter will become a priest in Copenhagen.

I'm also going to Copenhagen. But a priest?

I can't be with a priest. You have to study something else.

- Come. - Where are we going?

We're searching for secrets.

Come on.

Are we allowed to be here?

I don't want to. The Baron might

- Do you believe in God? - Yes.

All property belongs to God.

The Baron is just borrowing this.

- Do you think so? - Come on.

Laust? Cover his eyes.

- Why'? - Just do it.

Peter, look.

Have you ever seen so many books before?

Isn't it incredible?

And it's even more incredible that they don't even read them.

It's just posh to have them.

Dickens, Shakespeare and Homer.

But they don't know who they are. They just like to have them.

Well Count Snuff butt - ready for a fight?

I am bad bad shot!

You think this is for fun?

I stick it up your ass if you don't behave right!

What's going on here?

What are you doing? Are you insane? It's a real pistol!

Inge, get out of here this minute.

- It was my fault. - Get out!

- I told them to come. - Get out of here.

- What's that? - My book.

Give me that book.

Give me that book!

- It's Peter's book. - Shut up. And your pistol, right?

The rules are quite clear. We don't tolerate thieves.

Laust?

Peter?

- What's going on? - I've been gone too long.

- They've turned into thieves. - Stop it.

I've washed and pressed your clothes since I was a little girl.

Thmger has harrowed and plowed and sowed the fields -

- his entire life. He knows this area inside and out.

You've always been a just man.

Let me know, if you're unsatisfied with the work we do.

But thieves!

We have no thieves in this family!

That book was Peter's and we want it back to us before we leave.

The baron apologizes.

It was obviously a misunderstanding. Therefore

Boys."

It's important to be able to apologize.

I apologize. I should have trusted you.

- You may now hit me. - What?

I hit you, and you didn't deserve it. Now

you must hit me. Come now.

Do it. Give it all you've got.

You only get one shot. Come on.

Come on.

What was that? A breeze of air?

You can do better. Just swing your arm.

It's okay. Laust.

Don't hold yourself back.

That was too strong a breeze. May I try again?

- Bishop Monrad. I'm honored. - No, I'm

Initially, I thought Johanne was teasing me.

But she insisted, and we're so very proud.

- Is it ...? - Yes.

A feeling of folksiness comes over her once in a while.

She loves this song. Personally, I feel it's

It's a great Danish song. For the Danish people.

Nationalistic and cheerful. Full of bravery and optimism.

- No wonder the people love it. - My words exactly.

I hope you don't mind me stealing your wife like this.

I'm terribly importunate, I know. But it's a matter of art.

I understand.

Do you believe that art in itself can win a war?

That it can make a person believe so strongly in the impossible -

- that he gets supernatural powers almost?

That it has the strength of cannons?

For if cannons protect us against the external enemies -

- then it's art that protects us against the plain and ordinary.

Against stupidity's attempt to control our inner thoughts.

I truly admire you. You've transformed this country.

Sure, the king signed the constitution -

- but your role was pivotal. Thank you, Monrad.

May I have my hand back?

What can I do for you?

Mrs. Heiberg, when you read a play such as Macbeth -

- you read all these words written on paper.

And it's art, but it's not alive. Not until you speak the words.

You recite them each night with such enthusiasm -

- that impresses me no end.

You speak with such passion that makes people listen -

- and makes them feel -

- deep within their hearts.

You have lost that enthusiasm yourself?

Am I that transparent?

The country's political leader comes here to talk about passion.

Where did you misplace yours?

Mrs. Heiberg

What's wrong, I do not know.

But I feel bereft of emotions.

Bereft of emotions?

And emoooootions are impooooortant?

You must have some passion.

I have a passion for our country, for Denmark.

Naturally. We're are visionaries with the strongest of constitutions.

The people spoke, the king listened. The conservatives fell silent.

Denmark is for the people. God's people.

I've discussed this with Grundtvig. The Danes are very special.

Therefore, we must unite Denmark as one kingdom.

A united people in a united Denmark.

The conservatives accepted a foolish peace -

- with Schleswig-Holstein and the Germans.

According to treaty we're not to go after Schleswig.

A treaty dictated by the Britons and the Russians.

They're all conservative and against changes.

They're against all new ideas and against us -

- who want to create a new world!

- And Schleswig is a part of that? - They must follow Denmark's lead.

Get rid of the reactionaries!

- Now it's God, king and the people. - Exactly, Mrs. Heiberg.

When off to war I run my girlfriend wants to come

My girlfriend wants to come Yes, my girlfriend wants to come

To this I must say no, and off to war I go

Your Majesty. He is here.

Your Majesty. Everybody tells me how intelligent you are.

What is it that you do so well?

Europe is falling apart.

The liberals are making everyone nervous.

They threaten to set the continent on fire.

The democrats, who are said to have the people's support -

- want to do away with the monarchy.

We must do everything to avoid these liberal and democratic forces.

Remember what's happening in Denmark these days.

The liberals gain more and more power.

The king is just standing there like some parade horse.

Ajocund man who has married a common woman of the "people".

And who or what are "the people"?

The people don't want to be in charge.

They just want to work, eat and drink!

- Excuse me, I have forgotten you name? - Bismarck.

- Otto von Bismarck. - Bismarck.

Is anyone there?

Hallo?

Stay back! Or I'll shoot.

Are you a thief?

The fools from social services have sent me.

- Your food was left outside. - Food? Yuk.

Get out of here. Go!

- Are you blind? - No, I'm not blind.

- Yes, you are. - We use formal address here.

- You can't hit when you're blind. - I'm not blind.

And I'm Anastasia, the lost daughter of the Czar.

Yes.

What do your parents do?

- Whose parents? - Your parents.

- My parents? - Yes, how hard is it to understand?

- They're crying. - Why?

Because my brother died.

- How did he die? - In the war.

- Which war? Where? - Somewhere dusty out there.

Yes.

War, that's

It was different back then.

- Did you fight in that war? - Yes, and I'm 170 years old.

What do you think?

Money now! Are you with the old guy? Does he have any money?

I would like you to leave.

That thing on the wall.

The flag and the sword. It must be worth a lot.

- Oh - Does it belong to your family?

Yes.

- You can leave now. - Let me make a cup of tea.

- Tea? - I'd like to hear the story.

About the old days when everyone had lice and stuff.

And how poor everyone was. I find it very interesting.

I see.

- Where's your kitchen? - Out there. Find it yourself.

Thank you for your efforts, Jensen!

Sir

Regarding my boys. I apologize

It wasn't your sons' fault, but my son's.

I owe you an apology. A bottle of brandy.

Denmark! We're the sons of Denmark!

And we saw them getting closer.

They came charging. They were furious and enraged.

With their bayonets ready they screamed at us.

"Die! Die!"

Over and over again. They stormed us. "Die!"

But the Prussians didn't know -

- that their pathetic cries was like music to our ears.

For on our faces and in blood we had written the word, "Die".

Silent and alert we were ready to rip out their hearts!

So I stood up, raised my sword, and I yelled

Then die!

Damn Germans, die!

And I attacked the Prussians. Blood was pouring down!

Suddenly, I stood there all alone.

Hundreds of dead Prussian soldiers...

- Good evening, Inge. - Good evening.

- Did you kill all those Germans? - It was nothing.

- I don't understand. - Understand what?

It must have been terrible for you.

Yes

Are you okay?

- Do you like to dance? - Yes.

- Are you leaving for Copenhagen? - I think so.

- I'll come visit you then. - That would be nice.

Yes. And perhaps

you'll come home with me afterwards.

You're very special, Inge.

I'm just a child.

Can you keep a secret?

I'm a frog.

It's true. I'm a frog.

And if you kiss me I might turn into your prince.

You're drunk.

Croak, croak.

Where have you been?

Is anything wrong?

Then come.

Damn German. Get in here.

Peter!

No

- It's just for fun. - But I don't want you to die.

I'll protect you, Peter.