Original subtitles

He's coming.

THE WILD DUCK

Based on the eponymous play by Henrik Ibsen

Good day, Mr. Werle. -Good day, Mr. Werle. -Good day.

On behalf of your father, let me extend a warm welcome.

He would appreciate an answer.

Written and directed by

Gregers Werle.

You must not remember me. I'm Pettersen.

Oh, I see. I really didn't remember you.

But it has been more than 12 years since we last saw each other.

Yes. 12 years in the mines.

You really holed up up there in Hoidal, always underground.

Please take this letter to Hjalmar Ekdal.

You mean the photographer, Ekdal? -I mean Hjalmar Ekdal.

Very well. Hjalmar Ekdal. He became a photographer.

Bring that to him, and ask my father to add another place setting for tonight.

Please show me my room. -Come this way.

If I may...

I don't think your father will approve of inviting this Mr. Ekdal.

Pettersen, just do what I said.

Thank you.

Is your father home? -Yes, but you can't disturb him now. He's working.

I have a letter for him.

Is something wrong?

Give it to your father and tell him it's from Mr. Werle Jr.

It's important.

For you. -You're not supposed to bother me...

...when I'm working.

Or perhaps want me to make no progress on my complicated inventions?

But of course I do, Father.

In order to invent something, one needs intuition.

So, don't bother me anymore. -A servant brought this for you.

He said it's important.

It's from Mr. Werle Jr.

It's from Gregers Werle?

This is downright proper invitation.

Aren't you looking forward to it?

What time is it?

Just after six.

Gina!

Just a second. We're almost done.

That we just have to shoot portraits whenever something important comes up.

The whole week nothing happened.

And now, when I need some peace to concentrate on difficult concepts,

there's some woman sitting out there with a dog.

And wants to have her portrait taken. -Are you going to the consul?

One cannot simply reject an invitation such as this.

Ultimately, I owe the consul quite a bit.

Yes. I will go.

Go to Molvik and ask if he'll lend me his black suit!

Come on Monday.

Goodbye. -Goodbye.

Good day, Dr. Relling. -What is it?

Is the candidate Molvik here?

Well, he's there, but he's not quite there.

You can try to wake him.

Come on in.

Candidate Molvik!

Candidate Molvik!

Father wants to know if you can lend him your suit...

The good one.

He has an invitation.

Aren't you glad?

That father's going to a big part at Consul Werle's?

You can't really say he's going to the consul. The invitation is from his son.

We have no business with the consul.

I'll encounter all these upscale people again.

I don't remember how one talks to these types of people.

Don't worry, you'll acquit yourself well.

Tell them about your invention.

I'm sure they'll be interested.

Will you bring something back for me? Promise me, please.

I can ask the consul to send along something nice for you.

But I can't promise you anything. -But you can promise me you'll ask him.

Yes, I promise you that.

Why are you going to the consul? -Grandfather!

Just imagine, he has been invited over for dinner!

And he'll bring something back for me. He promised me.

It is a great joy for me,

and I have long desired to be able to welcome my son Gregers in my house again.

I thank you that you came.

And from the bottom of my heart, I hope you feel comfortable and happy at home.

Your presence, Gregers, makes me especially happy because

you will have the opportunity to get to know Mrs. S�rby,

who has been a positive influence in our house for some time,

with her spirit, her humour, and her superb homemaking skills.

Yes, in fact I would say she has changed this house,

namely in a way that makes me happier with every passing day.

In honour of you and all of you,

I would like to invite you to raise your glasses.

Thank you.

Hello. -What are you doing here at this hour, Mr. Hauptmann?

Please, I must get into the office. -The office is closed.

I have ascertained that, my friend, but Graberg is still there.

I must deliver this today, at all costs. -But take the rear door on the way out.

We have guests.

Everything transcribed, razor-sharp. Not a single stain.

Why did you come now, of all times? -You said Tuesday! And Gina needs it.

Hopefully no one noticed. -What?

There were 13 of us at the table.

Please, ladies and gentlemen, if you would care for a coffee or mocha.

Hjalmar.

You probably shouldn't have invited me. -Why shouldn't I invite my only friend?

I never come here myself anyway.

Don't worry about it. I'd rather you told me about yourself.

Finally we can have a talk. Come, have a seat.

You know, there's not much to tell.

After you left, everything went very fast.

The downfall, the shame, Dad in jail.

I couldn't even think about continuing to live like before, or resuming my studies.

There was nothing left of our family fortune either.

But that he helped me so much... -Who? -Your father!

But surely you know of that.

Where else would I have gotten the money to study photography?

To furnish an atelier and get on my feet?

My father paid for all that? -Yes!

But he didn't want anyone to know about it.

Out of consideration. But it was him, and he also made it possible for me to marry.

You have gotten married? Well, I don't think I'll ever get that far.

She a diligent, good woman.

And definitely not without breeding. -Well, I expected nothing less.

I guarantee you, you would not recognize Gina.

Gina? -Yes, did you forget that her name was Gina?

Who was named Gina? -But don't you remember?!

She was employed at your house back then!

Is it Gina Hansen? -Yes. Gina Hansen.

I find that interesting.

Tell me some more.

How did you get to know each other?

You know, that's very simple.

Shortly before your mother died, Gina resigned from the consulate.

And then she moved back in with her mother, who ran a small tavern back then.

It wasn't long after my father's downfall.

And again it was your father who alerted me to a room at Gina's mother's place.

A small, clean, inexpensive room.

I moved in there. That's how I got to know Gina.

And that was surely at exactly the time my father gave you...

I mean, when you started to become involved in photography. -Yes, exactly,

because I wanted to advance in life and start my own household.

Both your father and I were of the mind that photography was most sensible,

especially since Gina had learned how to retouch.

Yes, then that was a perfect fit.

Excuse me, please.

Please don't disagree with me again. You shouldn't lead him more into the light.

Come. -I'm almost inclined to think you are right.

Please, ladies and gentlemen,

whoever wants a glass of punch must come over into the library.

What are you perusing there, Ekdal? -I'm looking at an album, Consul.

Didn't you bring any of your own photographs, Mr Ekdal? -No.

But you should have. It's so good for the digestion to sit and look at photos.

Besides, it contributes a bit to everyone's entertainment.

And this contribution is gratefully received.

Lords in waiting are clearly of the opinion, Mr. Ekdal, that one should

do something for that, which one receives with an invitation.

It's a pure pleasure to be in a house with such a kitchen.

You have to make conversation.

Don't you agree, Consul, that Tokaji is relatively healthy for the stomach?

The one you consumed today certainly. It was one of the very best vintages.

Yes, it tasted noticeably delicate.

Don't you agree, Mr. Ekdal?

Is there a difference between vintages?

It's obviously not worthwhile to offer you a precious drop of it.

It's very simple, Mr. Ekdal. The old vintages are usually the best ones.

Gregers, we should drink a glass together.

Don't you want to keep pace?

I didn't have the opportunity to toast to you at the table.

I'm sorry, Consul, I can't get out.

Have been locked in once again?

Yes, and Feimsted took the key with him. -Well, then just come through here.

But there's another person. -Well come on, both of you. Don't be embarrassed.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

What's going on? Who was... -Pettersen...

Oh, nobody. Just an acquaintance of my bookkeeper.

Didn't you know the man, Mr. Ekdal? -I don't know. I wasn't paying attention.

What the devil is going on here?

Nothing, my good man, nothing. Come, have another glass.

But that was your father! -Yes. -You idiot!

You stand there and deny knowing him!

In front of all these people... -...know your father!

Gregers, I want to go. I feel uncomfortable...

Aha, I guess some old memories from your student days are being refreshed.

Do you smoke, Mr. Ekdal? -Thank you, I don't want one.

Don't you have a nice little poem or song that you can perform for us, Mr. Ekdal?

You used to do that so endearingly.

No, unfortunately I don't remember any by heart. -Oh, that's too bad.

Well, what do we do now? Oh, Mrs. S�rby!

Actually, it's our turn, no?

Shall we not play something four-handed?

I think everyone has been waiting for that.

Yes, gladly. -Bravo, the concert, ladies and gentlemen. The concert!

Father. -Pardon me.

Please have a seat.

You were once very close to Captain Ekdal. -Yes, unfortunately.

Too close, in fact. I began to sense that.

And if my good reputation suffered, I have him to thank.

Was he really the only one at fault? -Who else?

But you bought the big forest together back then. -Yes, but he made the map

for the area, which later proved itself unimportant.

And he also undertook the illegal logging on federal land. Not I.

He was the manager of the whole enterprise.

I was not informed of Captain Ekdal's activities.

Captain Ekdal was obviously also not exactly informed of the goings-on,

for which he was responsible. -That may well be, but he was convicted of it...

And I was acquitted. -Yes, due to insufficient evidence.

Acquittal is acquittal, Gregers.

And in the city this old story has been long forgotten.

And you can believe me, I did what I could for the Ekdal family.

I arranged that Ekdal, after his release from prison,

received writing assignments here at our office.

And I pay him much more than the work is worth. -Yes, yes.

You also paid for Hjalmar's education, as I now know.

Did you not share with me in one of you typical business letters

the marriage of Hjalmar to a Ms. Hansen?

Yes, that's right. That was her name.

But you concealed that Ms. Hansen was our one-time housemaid, Gina.

How was I to know you were interested in her?

Not I, but you.

Is this photographer spreading such rumours?

Hjalmar? He doesn't even know anything about it.

But where did you get that? -From Mother.

When I saw her for the last time. -From your mother. Of course. She and you!

She alienated you from me from the beginning. -No, not her.

Rather the sorrow you foisted upon her. -She didn't suffer more than others.

But one cannot get along with sickly and uptight people.

You should occupy yourself with something more useful, Gregers,

than rummaging around in old stories, and being suspicious of your father.

Year in and year out you hop around up there on the mountain,

making as much as a little servant, and brooding.

What do you want from me?

I wanted to suggest you join the firm as a partner.

You must have an ulterior motive. Why do you need me?

I'm a lonely man, Gregers. -But you have Mrs. S�rby.

I assume you intend to marry her. -That, yes, and if that were the case,

would it be totally unbearable for you? -No, no, no. Not at all.

Well then, I didn't know if thoughts of your late mother... -I'm not uptight!

Your marriage is not right to me.

Be that as it may, I'm at any rate very happy to count on your approval.

I see! Now I understand what you want to use me for.

A harmonious family life is being arranged for Mrs. S�rby!

The son hurries home for the marriage of his aging father,

and puts to be all rumours under which his mother suffered.

Gregers, I think no one on earth is as abhorrent to you as I am.

I have seen you excessively up-close.

And I can't forget what you inflicted on Mother.

You and all these...

The last one was this hussy with whom you hooked up Hjalmar.

Word-for-word, it's as if I'm hearing your mother talk.

And now he sits there with his childish disposition.

Under one roof with such a person and doesn't know

that his luck is built on a lie.

When I think back on everything you have done,

every person who came in contact with you, you ruined his or her happiness.

I am hereby foreclosing any sort of collaboration with you.

You're leaving? -I have finally found purpose worth living for.

And what is that purpose?

You would only laugh if you knew.

A lonely man doesn't laugh so easily, Gregers.

Goodnight.

Dad! -You're back already?

Everyone else was almost gone, too. -So early?

It was just an invitation to dinner.

Has father come home already? -He's in his room.

Did he say anything? -What should he have said? He wants to be alone.

Why? Did he say he doesn't want to see me? -No.

Dad. -Well, what is it?

You know! -No, I really don't know!

But yes! Don't make me wait longer! -For what?

Oh, don't pretend! Why don't you give it to me?

You know. What you promised me.

Oh that.

Can you imagine, I did forget it after all? -You're just pretending.

Where did you hide it?

Here it is.

This?

But it just a piece of paper. -That's the menu.

The whole menu! Here it says, "menu". That means menu.

Go on in and read it. Later I'll tell you how all the dishes tasted.

You must not have seen me at the Consul's. -No.

What kinds of people were those there? -Oh, all different kinds.

Chamberlain Flor, Balle, Mr. and Mrs. Kaspersen.

Chamberlain Baer and Mrs. Baer, and... oh, I don't know!

Did you hear? He was together with a bunch of chamberlains.

Did the chamberlains sing?

They? They only talked about stupid stuff.

Then they even wanted me to perform something for them.

But I didn't do them that favour.

You didn't do that for them...

These blokes go from one feeding to the next,

and eat and drink, day in and day out.

They can surely supply their own entertainment.

I hope you weren't impolite to anyone. -Not exactly, but

they got something of an earful. -The chamberlains personally.

Sadly, it wasn't completely preventable.

For example, we had a dispute about Tokaji.

I had to explain to them that there's a difference between vintages.

Hjalmar, you really know everything.

Have you had a peek in there already tonight? -Yes.

She went into the basket. -See? She's getting used to us.

But improvements need to be made. -I know.

May I come in with you?

They're all sleeping already.

And the clouds are hanging low over the forest, and

the moss is soaking up the moisture as if it were bottomless.

I wonder if she's cold? -Are you crazy? Cold? With all that straw?

But the improvements need to be done soon.

Let us first discuss these improvements a bit.

Sit down with me on the sofa. -No, not now.

I don't have time. Tomorrow.

Should I tell you now how all those things taste?

Yes, father.

It's really unbelievable, all one has to think of as a family's breadwinner!

One forgets a little thing, and one gets a sulky expression in return!

The old man, with his improvements!

But I'll take care of it first thing tomorrow.

You won't have time for that tomorrow. Don't forget, the photos need retouching.

They've asked about them twice already.

They'll be done in good time. Have we gotten new orders as well?

No. But this young couple, of whom I told you about, is coming tomorrow.

That's to be expected if one doesn't look around.

One really has to make a bit of an effort, Gina!

Should I bring you your flute? -No, no flute.

As you see fit, Gina. Just as you see fit.

Tomorrow, I will work as long as I have the strength.

I didn't mean it that way, Hjalmar.

Should I get you a pitcher of beer? -No, leave me alone.

Did you say something about beer? -Nice, fresh beer.

Come to me.

I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise.

But you know that I love you very much anyway. -I love you too.

Go get my flute. I play something for you.

Good evening. I'm Gregers.

Do you not recognize me?

Yes, of course.

I look quite like my mother.

And I'm sure you remember her.

Gregers, did you leave the party already, too? -The party, and my father's house.

For good.

May I come in, or...?

Oh, yes, of course.

I'm sorry. Take off your things.

Thank you.

So this is where you live. -This room is the atelier.

And because it's also the biggest room, we spend most of our time in here.

Please, make yourself comfortable.

When Dad was still on duty we had fancier living arrangements.

But this apartment has lovely side rooms.

And on the other side of the staircase we even have a room we can rent.

And this must be your daughter. -Yes, this is Hedwig.

She's having her 12th birthday the day after tomorrow.

Good day, Hedwig. -Good day. -I thought you wanted to get beer from the kitchen.

She must be your only child.

Yes, our one and everything. But please, have a seat.

She's our greatest joy.

But also our greatest concern. -Why that? Concern?

There's a possibility she might lose her eyesight.

Probably hereditary. -Yes, Hjalmar's mother also had very weak eyes.

She's going blind?

He should tell me what he wants of me!

Tell him to make it snappy, not that I'm afraid.

I have no fear.

But what does the son want of me?

I'm supposed to say hello to you from your old hunting grounds, Captain Ekdal.

My hunting grounds? -Yes, up in Hoidal.

All around the factory.

Back then, you were a powerful hunter. -That's right, I was.

A fierce hunter. I even shot bears. A whole bunch.

Hedwig!

Is the forest good up there now? -Not as good as back then.

A lot of it has been logged. -Logged.

That's a dangerous thing... success.

The forest will take revenge.

Can you live here? In the middle of such a cramped city, enclosed by four walls.

It's not so awful here. Not at all so awful.

But all that with which you coalesced. The freedom of life in the forest.

The wilderness. The birds.

Should we show it to him? -No, not tonight.

What does he want to show me? -I'll show you some other time.

You should come up to Hoidal with me, Captain.

There's some clerical work, too, and you really have little for you to enjoy here.

What? I don't have much... -No doubt, you have Hjalmar.

But he has his own family now.

And a man like you, who loves all that is free and wild...

Hjalmar, he shall see it now!

That'll be even nicer. He shall see it right away.

I should have something to enjoy.

May I come?

Well, what do you have to say now?

You're keeping animals here. -You should see them in the daylight.

There! -Shhhh!

Look over there. -Shh, don't give away any secrets.

Look there. -I see a bird.

Ha, he sees a bird. -Yes, a duck.

That's our wild duck. My best one. -My wild duck.

It belongs to me.

Can you keep a wild duck in the attic like this? It won't die?

Oh, it gets fresh water everyday,

and it can splash around in that vat as much as it wants.

Watch out!

We're interrupting their night's sleep. Stay close to me.

How did you catch the duck?

I didn't catch it. We have your father to thank for that.

He shot it in the wing, and then it couldn't fly anymore.

Then she dove under, like the wild ducks always do.

They grab onto the seaweed and algae with their beaks,

and all that other terrible stuff that grows down there.

And they never come up again. -But, your wild duck came up again.

Your father had an unbelievably good dog.

The dog dove in after the duck and brought it up again.

Are you very busy?

I'm labouring with these photographs.

Well, then I'd better not bother you.

Are you very busy?

Well, if you have no time, I don't either.

I thought you had to transcribe the stuff for Graberg?

Yes, I do, but... whether I hand it in tomorrow or in 3 days is unimportant.

Take it easy.

After all, you're not a peon.

Exactly right!

And besides, there are various preparations to undertake.

In the attic, I mean. -Do you want to go up? Should I unlock it for you?

Oh, that might be a good idea.

I mean, ultimately, everything has to be done tomorrow.

Because tomorrow is Hedwig's birthday.

Well, what's the deal?

Are you coming?

I can continue this work later.

Your friend Gregers has moved in already.

He tried to fire up the stove and almost caused a huge mess.

I'll go help him. -No, he wants to do everything himself.

Just continue what you're doing, huh?

Then you'll have put it behind you.

Do you need help?

What are you doing here?

Are you here to make sure I'm working?

Of course not.

Give me the brush. I can do it.

Then you can help Grandpa with the preparations.

You'll just ruin your eyes. -That's not true.

Please let me. -If you think so.

I'll be no more than 2 minutes.

But don't ruin your eyes, you hear? I don't want to be held responsible.

I don't mind, really.

That old character!

Where are you? -Here. Just east of you.

Hey, we have to be careful!

The wind is at our backs.

It's best if we come from the other side. This way we won't get close enough to him.

A splendid specimen!

I hope I'm not bothering you. -No. Good morning.

I'll tell them you're here. -No, please don't.

What are you doing there? -I'm helping Dad out a bit.

Did the wild duck sleep well last night? -I'm sure.

Do you like being with her? I mean, in there?

Whenever I have time.

But you probably have very little time for that, because of school.

I think the lovers are coming.

Please go in. We can start right away.

You want to take off your coat. -Only I, the husband.

Christina would like...

He was very happy with the photographs.

Please follow me.

Tell me, don't you have to go to school today?

I don't go to school.

Dad's scared I could ruin my eyes.

Oh, I see.

So then he must teach you himself. -He promised me he would.

But so far he hasn't had any time.

Is there someone else here who helps you? -Yes, Candidate Molvik.

But he's not always very level-headed.

Dad's always says I should learn how to weave baskets.

But I don't think that's worth doing.

No, I don't think much of that either.

But Dad's right.

If I had learned how to weave baskets, I could have made the new one for the

wild duck myself.

Ultimately, it's my wild duck.

And besides, I find her situation so sad. She doesn't have anyone to depend on.

What do you mean? -Like chickens, for example.

They grew up with so many other chicks.

And bunnies also have families.

But the wild duck is all alone.

Nobody knows her. And nobody knows where she came from.

And she has also been in the deepest part of the ocean.

Why do you say, "in the deepest part of the ocean"?

What should I say instead?

You could say, "in the ocean", or, "on the ocean floor".

I can just as well say, "in the deepest part of the ocean".

Why are you laughing?

Because, whenever I suddenly, out of nowhere, think about that in there,

I will always think that the whole attic, and everything in there, means

"in the deepest part of the ocean".

You used to rabbits with one shot. -Yes, but not anymore, and not of this size.

Are you waiting for something to hunt? -No, for no particular reason.

A bunny rabbit was there for our purposes.

Do you shoot rabbits with this rifle? -No!

With the pistol.

This... is father's old rifle.

One can't shoot with it anymore. But it's just fun to have it around.

Sometimes we disassemble it, clean it,

grease it, and put it back together.

Now you can get a really good look at it.

Come. Father doesn't like to be watched.

Good.

No, please stay like that. Now, don't move.

Can you take care of breakfast, as long as your mother is working?

Hand on your lap, good. Now move a bit closer together again.

Yes, that's very good.

I have a strong impression that your wife...

I mean that she's running the business. -It only looks like that.

Normal business I usually leave to her,

but only so that I have time to ponder my invention.

You're working on an invention?

I've been wondering why you haven't asked me about that yet.

Come, I'll show it to you.

You know, it's like this: when I made the decision to devote myself to photography,

I didn't see my goal in the production of photographs with everyday people.

Rather, I did it for this profession,

to elevate it to an art and a science.

That's why I decided to make this noteworthy invention.

One day... it will stand on this table.

And be presented in front of the astonished eyes of the public.

What does this invention consist of?

And what is it supposed to achieve?

You can't yet ask me about such details. All that needs time.

And anyway, I'm not working on this based on personal motives at all.

What then?

That you don't grasp that!

I'm going to reawaken my poor father's sense of self,

by bringing the name Ekdal back to honour and respect.

Do you understand?

Thereby, I will save the poor man.

Once I have gotten to a certain point with my invention,

then he'll be allowed to wear his uniform again.

When... approximately do you expect to finish with your invention?

Oh, it's progressing. No worries.

You can pick up the photographs in one week.

Please make five copies of the double-portraits.

With frames or without? -I work on it every day.

Every afternoon when we have guests

I withdraw into the living room and

think about it in peace and quiet.

One just can't rush me, you know? Dr. Relling says the same thing.

One has to force your eyes open. Hjalmar, you are sick!

What makes you think that?!

I feel as well in my own skin as any person can possibly feel!

That you do is a consequence of your madness.

Listen up! I have been listening to you two for awhile.

I'd like to make you aware of the fact that I'm the doctor in this house.

And I won't tolerate any charlatans near me.

After all, I studied this craft, not you.

You're at it too early again this morning, Dr. Relling.

Molvik smelled your pickled herring salad. I couldn't contain myself.

We know each other from the old days, Mr. Werle.

From Hoidal.

Morning, Hjalmar. -Good day, Relling.

Back then, I practised up there. May I introduce, candidate Molvik.

Candidate in theology. -Please excuse me.

Don't you want to eat breakfast with us?

Now, come on! You can't forgo Mrs. Ekdal's pickled herring salad.

You look quite tired, as always. -He boozed through the whole night.

But I retained my better self anyway.

You must know, he's demonic.

Demonic. -Molvik is demonic.

And demonic people are not given to walking through life on a straight path.

Sometimes they have to go astray.

But let's talk about you.

Have you managed in the meantime...

...to force the claim with which you dealt at the time.

You cashed in outstanding claims? -Oh, nonsense!

He absolutely did!

He went to all the workers' cabins and presented something he

called the ideal claim.

Did you actually ever have any success with this moral fad?

Here. -Thanks.

Based on your silence, I'm guessing no.

And I assume you learned from that to lower the level of the claim a bit.

Excuse me. -Man, your soda water! -I can't, I can't!

Good morning, gentlemen. A great piece, huh?

To the health of the great hunter! -To your health, father!

Hunter's Heil! -Hunter's thanks!

I'm going to put this on ice until tomorrow.

What day is tomorrow?

I'm sorry that it'll only be a small party.

A small celebration at our place in the woods. -I'm sure it'll be very nice.

Just imagine, Hedwig, what kind of birthdays you will celebrate,

when your father's invention is complete. -Oh, yes!

You'll be astonished! Your future will be secure. You will be set for life.

Oh, Dad!

Well, don't you find it quite nice to be surrounded by a happy family for a change?

So, you don't find it nice.

If you don't like something, why don't you speak up?

Did the sight of the bunny take the words out of your mouth?

For my part, I don't feel well in swampy air.

Sorry, but did you maybe bring this stench with you?

Me? That's just like you!

I have the very strong suspicion that you are partly to blame for the

miserable state of this family!

Now listen to me closely, Mr. Werle.

I would advise you not to play the righteous one as long as I am here.

And what if I do?

Then you'll tumble head-first down the stairs. You're long overdue.

Relling, please. -Can't you see the guy is nuts, unhinged?

Are your parents home?

Hjalmar!

May we be alone?

You made a remark last night.

And since you obviously live here now...

I must almost assume that you are scheming against me.

My intention is to open Hjalmar Ekdal's eyes.

He should see his situation as it is.

That's it.

I don't see any sense in doing that.

But yes.

And what sense? -I have always been cowardly.

I should have warned old Ekdal back then.

But I was too scared of you.

I have you to thank for my bad conscience.

For all those years I spent torturing myself, and almost went crazy.

But now, I'm not scared anymore.

And I will save what can be saved.

Listen, the crimes against Ekdal and my mother are irredeemable.

But I can still free Hjalmar from the web of lies,

in which he would otherwise perish.

So all this is about your conscience, huh?

I guess under these circumstances it's of no use if I ask...

...whether you want to come home again.

And you don't want to work in the company anymore either?

Very well then.

Since I am certain about committing to enter a new marriage,

I guess we'll have to split the fortune. -No!

I don't want that. -You don't want that!

But how do you want to get by? -At any rate not from your bequest.

I have some savings, and they will suffice for as long as I live.

And now I won't answer any more questions.

Live well, Gregers.

Is he gone?

What did he want? Did it have something to do with me?

Get your coat, Hjalmar.

You have to go for a long walk with me.

Where were you for so long? We looked for you everywhere.

Oh, really?

You and me.

The two of us.

I put your dinner into the oven. -I don't want to eat now.

Are you not feeling well? -Feeling well?

Will you go into the attic with me after dinner?

What's wrong with you, Dad?

Some things have changed, Hedwig.

Starting now, I will no longer go into the attic.

But you promised you would get a new pitcher for the wild duck...

This damned wild duck! I'd prefer to wring its neck!

But Father, it's my wild duck!

I want it to live, for your sake.

But, starting immediately,

I will not abide having anything in my house that was in the hands of the consul.

Only because we got the wild duck from the consul?

You know, Hedwig,

there are certain obligations, certain commandments...

that a man has to heed if he doesn't want to damage his psyche.

But the wild duck. The poor wild duck!

I promised you I wouldn't hurt it.

Now go outside for a bit. Take a walk.

I don't feel like it. -Please go! It'll be good for you.

When did you become scared of light, Gina?

You're trembling.

Just spit it out, Hjalmar. What did he tell you?

Is it true that you had a relationship with Consul Werle?

No, it's not true.

He was always after me, but there was nothing between us,

even if his wife believed there was.

So later, then.

Yes, after my resignation, my mother said...

She was not as virtuous as you thought, Hjalmar.

The consul is a widow now. Why are you making such a fuss?

And?

He pestered me for so long.

One day, I relented.

How could you keep that from me?

Would you have taken me if you had known?

Of course not.

You see? That's why I didn't tell you.

I loved you very much. You know that.

That would have been too painful for me.

And this is the mother of my Hedwig!

Everything here... everything,

I owe to this... Oh, this consul!

I had long forgotten about all this.

I was so occupied by the work and the household.

So you don't even have regret.

What would have become of you, Hjalmar, without a woman like me?

Such a woman?! -Yes, such a woman, Hjalmar.

I have always understood better than you how to obtain money.

I took all your worries away, and all was good between us, until today.

I was very happy. -I was also happy here, Gina.

But now I know it was all just a lie... and a deceit.

Oh no, you can't say that!

The whole time, I only tried my best to make everything nice for you!

What's wrong with you, Hedwig?

Father sent me outside.

But why? -I don't know.

Oh, good day, Hedwig. This is convenient. Good day, Mr. Werle.

I just wanted to come up and bid farewell.

You needn't have bothered. -Please wait!

I want you to know that I in no way acted secretively or cunningly,

as concerns my marriage with your father.

It might seem as if I'm making a great advancement.

In a certain sense, that's how it is.

But I'm of the opinion that I'm not taking more than I'm giving.

I will certainly never abandon him, and I will serve him and be useful to him...

like no one else. -Yes, yes.

But why are you telling me this? -I thought it might reassure you.

After all, you are still his son.

And I can't assume his fate has slipped your attention.

What do you mean by "fate"? -He's going blind.

But you don't have to worry about him.

I will try to see for him with my eyes, as well as I can.

Here, he wanted to give you this.

Your mother is supposed to place it on your bed tomorrow morning. Farewell.

Hey, my good friends...

Did it not happen?

It did happen. -Really?

I don't understand. -What do you not understand?

Such a decisive utterance,

which should set the foundation for a totally new life.

And now... -Do you think it's so easy to endure everything?!

No, but for a man like you... -Yes, yes, a man like me.

But you can't push yourself, understand? -Father? -Yes, what is it?

Mrs. S�rby gave me something for my birthday.

What is it? -We won't know until tomorrow.

Mother's supposed to put it onto my bed for me tomorrow.

Yet another bit of secrecy, of which I am to know nothing.

No, Father, you can gladly look at it. It's a letter.

On the envelope is written: Miss Hedwig Ekdal.

That's me.

That's the handwriting of the consul.

Mrs. S�rby said the consul is going blind.

Lots of people seem to be going blind these days.

I hereby decree that Captain Ekdal, from today until his death,

receive 100 kroners monthly.

After his death, the same sum passes over to Hedwig Ekdal.

23rd of May, 1884.

Consul Werle. -100 kroners!

So this concerns you.

His interest is only in you.

All that money. Are you not happy?

I'll give it to you.

Go into the kitchen and take off your coat.

Do as your mother says.

He's trying to silence me with money.

I don't have a child anymore.

Your child no longer has a right to live under my roof.

Hjalmar, you of all people say that to me.

Is Hedwig my child...

...or the consul's child?

I don't know.

You don't know?

How is someone like me supposed to know that so precisely?

Hjalmar! Consider what you're doing!

I have nothing to consider here anymore. -You have to forgive.

You three have to stay together.

Father!

Hedwig, don't follow me. Get out of my sight!

No, Father! Don't leave! Please!

Father! -The child! Think of the child!

Don't go, Dad! -I can't. -Please!

I have to get out of here!

I'm telling you, everyone at my alma mater looked up to me!

My poems were loved everywhere! -You wrote your own poems. That's grand!

Above all, presenting poems and songs. Yes, can you imagine,

various fellow students were jealous of my evocative writing.

Hjalmar!

Please, let's go. Come.

Let go of me! -I wouldn't think of it. You have caused enough misery.

Go home. Here, with us, Hjalmar feels really good.

He has no desire to jabber with a highfalutin gentleman like you!

Soon he'll be so drunk that he'll forget all of his anguish.

Stop talking about him like that.

Yes, yes, I know, you always need someone you can admire.

You see, you find nothing about yourself to admire.

You find yourself in a constant delirium of worship.

But you are grossly mistaken about the great character of Hjalmar Ekdal.

He's not the man you think he is!

As you know, I am a sort of doctor, and I care about poor, sick people.

But I have a feeling you are beyond help. But I've helped others!

And I'm certainly not going to allow you to disturb my healing successes.

And your friend, Hjalmar, I planted the idea for his invention in his head,

so that he could have something to believe in.

So he could forget his pathetic situation and be happy.

Along comes a sicko, a mama's boy like you, and wants to open the poor

people's eyes with ideals. Open your own eyes, you!

Blind idiot!

Oh, I almost forgot, Mister... Werle, Jr.

Why do you use the alien concept, "ideals"?

In our mother tongue we have an appropriate word for that: lies!

I'm going to take Hjalmar Ekdal home.

You won't hinder me from that.

Our father in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

And save the wild duck from all bad people.

And make Dad come home again. I will be very kind to him,

until he is happy again. Please have him come back to us! Amen.

Do you pray every night?

Yes, but only at night. During the day it's bright, and I'm not scared.

Did you find Dad?

Don't be scared. Your dad will come back.

I know why he wants nothing more to do with me.

Maybe I'm not his blood child.

How would that have happened? -Mother might have found me.

And father has now found out.

I once read about something like that. -Were that the case!

Even then, I think he could love me the same anyway.

After all, we were given the wild duck by other people, too.

And I love it regardless. -Yes, the wild duck. That's true.

He doesn't like it anymore, either.

But if you were to hand over the wild duck voluntarily,

as a favour to him... -The wild duck?

Yes.

If you would sacrifice that which you love the most in the world...

Hand it over, for Dad,

as a sign that you really love him.

Do you think it would help him...

...if the wild duck were to die? -Surely.

You have to try it.

I will ask Grandpa to shoot it dead for me.

Yes!

Do that.

Come in.

You didn't speak to your grandfather.

When I woke up this morning, it all seemed so odd to me.

What we talked about yesterday.

You disappoint me.

But the wild duck can't help it that my dad doesn't want to come home!

I can't believe that killing it will help Dad. -Not the duck itself.

But if you sacrifice it for him, then your father will know you love him.

Hedwig, you have to have the courage to make this sacrifice!

He'll only believe you if you do something really monumental.

To relinquish what you love most, that is something monumental.

I never asked the wild duck if it loved me.

But I love it anyway.

I'm dressing up today for you.

Happy birthday!

You haven't taken your morning walk yet today.

Do you not feel like going on a hunt? -This is no hunting weather.

Much too dark. One can't see one's hand in front of one's face.

Do you never want to shoot something other than rabbits?

Are rabbits not good enough for you?

Yes, but the wild duck... -Ha, are you scared I will shoot your wild duck?

Never in a million years. -No, you probably couldn't, either.

I hear it's hard to shoot wild ducks.

I couldn't do it? I ought to know that I could do it.

How would you do it, Grandpa?

Not to my wild duck. To others.

I would make sure to shoot it under the breast, understand?

That's the surest way.

Also, one should not shoot in the direction the feathers are pointing,

but rather always against the feathers, you know? Against the feathers.

Do they die that way? -They die, if one hits them right.

But... -Psst!

Father! Father!

Go away.

Go away! Can you handle that?

Grandpa's breakfast is in the kitchen. Can you bring it to him?

I just came to leave again immediately! I just need a few things...

But not this picture! I can't stand to look at it anymore.

So you really want to leave? -Of course! Am I supposed to stay here?

With your past?!

Grandfather. What about grandfather?

I know my duty.

Naturally, I'm taking him with me.

My journals! And where are my scientific periodicals?

They must all be in the trunk here. -Must, must, must!

I can't find a damned thing!

Didn't I tell you you should keep her out of my sight?

In the future I want to be spared from people I have no interest in.

This is our birthday march. Nice, huh?

Wouldn't you like some coffee, bread, and fresh cold cuts?

I will never eat under this roof again!

Should I pack your books and notes in here?

What am I supposed to do with that valise?

There are thousands of things to take with me!

Are you taking the flute? -No.

Could I, without being bothered by anyone,

stay for one, maybe two days there in the living room?

Of course. There you'd have all you need, and would be left undisturbed.

You see, I just don't think it's possible for me to haul away

all of Dad's possessions in one day.

And not only that. First you have to break the news to him that he's leaving.

Why is this letter still lying around here?

I didn't touch it. -This scrap of paper doesn't concern me.

The gift pertains above all to your child...

...and my father. But who will make use of it he must decide.

I don't want to misappropriate someone else's property.

Bring me some glue or a strip of paper.

I was just about to come to you to say farewell.

You had breakfast. Are staying after all?

No, I'm leaving.

So, what should I do now? Pack the suitcases or prepare the living room?

Pack and prepare. Yes, please.

Is it really an internal imperative for you to abandon your family?

I wasn't born to be unhappy. I need my peace and quiet.

Well, you can have that here, too.

Why don't you try it? Make a new start.

There's nothing nice than to forgive. -I am not needed here anymore.

Not true. Hedwig needs you.

You're misjudging her. I know she loves you from the bottom of her heart.

And she will prove it to you.

What proof could I now believe to be true after all these lies?

Hedwig doesn't lie.

You have much too much faith in your ideals, my friend.

What do you think will happen when all these other wealthy people come,

and say to her, "Abandon this miserable ne'er-do-well."?

"He's not even your father. And with us you will enjoy a life of abundance."

What do you think I would get as an answer?

If I were to ask her...

"Hedwig, are you ready, for my sake, to..."

Hjalmar!

Do you know what that was? -Of course I know. He's shooting rabbits again.

Nonsense! That was the proof.

What kind of proof? -Your child's sacrifice.

Hedwig asked your father to shoot the wild duck.

But why?

Don't you know?

For you, Hedwig sacrificed her most beloved possession: her wild duck.

So that you will love her again. -Hjalmar!

So now you want to go hunting alone?

She did it herself.

Hedwig?

Hedwig!

Dr. Relling! Dr. Relling! -Hedwig?

Hedwig.

You have to live...

...only long enough so that I can tell you how much I loved you.

The forest took its revenge. The forest.

I can't say it to her anymore, Gregers.

I can never make it right again.

How did it happen?

The pistol went off.

She's going to regain consciousness...

The heart has been hit.

Blessed be the Lord. To earth thou shalt become. To earth.

Shut up, you're drunk.

Don't hurt her! -From the bottom of the ocean.

The fabric of the dress is sunken.

She held the pistol directly to her chest.

Maybe... she didn't die in vain.

You see? Hjalmar. The pain is making him great and noble.

That's the way it is with most people when they are with a dead body.

How long do think that will last with him?

In one year, little Hedwig will be nothing to him but a pleasant

opportunity to hold forth about her in moving phrases.

You'll hear him lamenting about the child taken too soon from her father.

You'll see how he pickles himself in sentiment and self-pity.

Subtitles by BobbyFletcher/Radial/Oliver L. for KG and SMz.