"Skating over 200 kilometers, past eleven Friesian cities... makes it the longest skating marathon in the world." "And the prize, if you complete it, is a small silver cross." "In '63 it wasn't just a long race... but the most difficult in the history of the Eleven Cities Race." "For me, as a competitor, it has always remained a personal triumph." "But for over 10,000 skaters at the start... it was a journey into hell." "They called it the Hell of '63." "Great ice." "Will you join me?" "Not now." "Come on, skate with me." "You go." "There he goes, Melle van der Grift." "Will he win the cross?" "Yes, he will." "Setting a new record..." "Melle, get over there." "Melle, go to the hole." "ONE YEAR LATER" "Over to Friesland a hectic situation." "Dear listeners..." "The Race virus has us in its power." "It's possible that the area supervisors..." "That's the second truck you've wrecked in six weeks." "You're fired." "Get out of here." "You can't do that. I have a contract." "Yes." "And you know what I'm going to do with that contract?" "You bum." "Put the scum in Hoeks' platoon." "He'll handle it." "Brenninck, I need you." "Are you shushing me?" "We should be prepared for large snow dunes." "In Friesland, the Eleven Cities Race fever has struck." "Many skating fans are sure it will be held in a few days." "Your lease expires next month." "What'll it be?" "Are you buying?" "I should mention, I've already had a good offer." "We'll buy it." "is that the way it is?" "You know the price, don't you?" "60,000." "We offer you 55." "Sjoerd, my lad, shut up." "My father has maintained the place perfectly for 24 years." "That should count for something." "I'm warning you." "Like I said, I've had a good offer." "Then we'll settle on 57,500, right?" "Sold?" "On condition that I get a guarantee from the bank... or a reliable party, within 48 hours." "Or the deal's off." "You'll hear from me within 48 hours." "We don't have the money." "Then we'll borrow it, Dad." "The bank won't even consider it." "Uncle Olbe or Bauke will vouch for us." "They've got plenty of money." "They won't do it." "Why not?" "Never mind, I'll ask them myself tomorrow." "If the Race is on, I can combine the two." "I'm warning you." "Don't go to them, understand?" "What happened back then, Dad?" "What?" "First the cows." "Why won't you tell me?" "Dad?" "You were fired?" "Now what?" "You just started there." "l'll find something else." "You've been fired three times in nine weeks." "What's going on, Kees?" "There's only one solution." "I'm gonna be a millionaire." "...a live report on the scene..." "The area supervisors are meeting now in Leeuwarden." "They've been talking for an hour." "They'll probably decide soon... about the twelfth Race in history." "Last year it was canceled at the last moment." "We don't know why." "Don't you like skating?" "Neither do I." "Not anymore." "...according to this enthusiastic Friesian we've asked for a reaction." "Dieuw, did you hear that?" "The Race is on. I'll get my skates and... I'm going to my mother's." "Come on, girl." "I'll find a new job the day after tomorrow." "Let's go to the pub." "You think you can live on air." "We're having a baby." "Let it come." "No, you don't get it." "You never finish anything." "You never do what you promise." "It's not that bad." "l was supposed to get a TV." "Where is it?" "Only the Queen has TV." "That's not true." "My mother has one." "And my sister." "My other sister as well." "They all have a TV set." "is this great, or is this great?" "We'll crash through the ice, Jack." "No." "Friesland is part of the North Pole." "They won't be so happy about you and your paper." "Or maybe they will." "Drive normally." "You idiot." "Gentlemen, let's continue the meeting." "People are waiting for us." "Let's see." "Where were we?" "Right, gentlemen." "Have you made a decision?" "Who are you, if I may ask?" "Jack van Houten, the Telegraph." "Look what I've got here." "THE TOUR is ON" "An extra edition, for the whole country." "An Amsterdam paper telling us what to do?" "Have you set a date yet?" "This is a private meeting." "Will you make it public?" "Nothing has been decided yet." "Please leave the room." "What's the problem?" "I drove across the lJsselmeer. lce everywhere." "Please leave." "Give me a hand." "Last time, you canceled it at the last moment." "You can't do that, with this frost." "Listen, Friesian gingerbread man." "How much ice do you need?" "Unbelievable." "The whole country's counting on it." "Does Friesland have the guts?" "They're challenging us." "I won't take the bait. I'm against it, it's too dangerous." "Don't be so dramatic." "At last the ice is thick enough." "What kind of ice is it?" "Ground-ice?" "Cat ice?" "Snow ice?" "It's full of cracks and snowbanks." "You can't skate on it." "How cold is it, anyway?" "Colder every day." "17, 18 degrees below zero." "What if it stays that way?" "The Eleven Lakes Race was cancelled too. lt's irresponsible." "I agree with Kingma." "The whole country's counting on it." "Everyone." "The public, the volunteers, the press and the skaters." "The ice is thick enough, De Wolf." "They won't take no for an answer." "And what if the skaters die of cold?" "Who'll take responsibility then?" "People could get killed." "Commissioner." "The Royal Commissioner." "No, not yet." "Then I've got big news for you." "The national broadcasting company called." "TV?" "Yes." "They want to cover the Race." "Live, as they call it." "With I don't know how many cameras." "Commissioner, we haven't reached a decision yet." "Her Majesty wants to come, perhaps with the princess." "And I don't want to interfere, of course... but..." "Oh well, you know what I mean." "Don't you?" "Yes, yes, I do." "We can't pass this up, Ritsma." "Friesland will be the center of the world, and Friesland is my responsibility." "I'm counting on you." "They're voting at Friesland House." "If the Race is on... the twelfth event may take place tomorrow." "Sneek?" "For." "Kerkdriel?" "Against." "We're still waiting for the result, here in Leeuwarden." "It could happen any moment..." "The numerous journalists present are speculating wildly... and the tension is unbearable." "is for it." "Sloten?" "For." "Stavoren?" "For." "Hindeloopen?" "Against." "For." "Harlingen?" "Against." "Can you see anything?" "Quiet." "I already asked you." "Horse." "Don't do that. I asked you." "Cow." "Of course they won't do it." "Everyone would be turned into fish fingers." "That's what you think." "For." "And Leeuwarden?" "Against." "Good." "Then the result is... five against... and six in favor." "Look. lce and Friesians, they're magnets." "Just like us." "So, gentlemen... I'd say... lt will be held." "What does that mean?" "Held." "ls your name Joke?" "It means held, right?" "Of course. I'm not thick." "He means it will be held." "This means that the Race, that was called off in 1961 ... will be held this year." "It's on." "Melle, where are you?" "Go to the hole." "Grab the stick." "The hole is where the stick is." "What's the matter?" "There's going to be a Race." "Will you enter it?" "I don't know." "Melle wanted that cross so badly." "What would he say if you entered?" "Skating fanatic that he was?" "He adored the Race." "Then why are you still here?" "My daughter is pregnant." "Her waters have broken." "Higher up." "Stretch it out." "Tauter." "That's good." "It'S ON!" "Dieuwke, are you asleep?" "I'm skating in the Race." "I'll bring you the cross tonight." "is that alright?" "We'll talk then." "I'll find a new job, and you'll get your TV set." "I want to show you this is something I can do, you see?" "I promise." "Sleep well." "What are you doing?" "Sergeant-Major." "Brenninck?" "I hope there's a war on." "No, much more important. lt's on." "The Race." "What are you talking about, man?" "The Eleven Cities Race." "And I'm going to take part." "So..." "Bye." "l'm warning you." "You're staying here." "My boy, you..." "Brenninckmeijer, you're on guard duty." "Come here." "You can do without me for a day." "Brenninckmeijer's applying for leave." "Arrest that man." "What are you waiting for?" "Bunch ofjerks." "You deserter." "Bunch of stiffs." "And the sergeant-major let you go?" "He'll be proud of me." "Give me pea soup in lJlst, pancakes in Workum." "And in Leeuwarden... I want you." "Silly." "I've rented a room, at the Anchor Hotel." "For tonight." "You understand me, right?" "I want it too, Henk." "But first, pea soup in lJlst." "Don't say anything." "I just want Melle to get his cross." "Mieke, promise me one thing." "I promise, Dad." "The chances are slim." "And there won't be many holes, at minus twenty." "Where are you going?" "To the Race, and to see Uncle." "What did I tell you?" "You're not going to beg from them." "Are you mad?" "It's time for the cows." "Do them yourself, today." "Well?" "Are you coming?" "Do you have a size 41 for me?" "No, we don't." "Do you have a size 41?" "I didn't say that myself, let's make that clear." "But those announcements make it extra tricky for you." "Yes, but I can't help that." "is that Jeen van den Berg?" "ls this live?" "No, this isn't live." "Can't you cut anything out?" "Have you been training?" "Not a lot." "Everyone says they haven't been training." "So does Jeen van den Berg." "Your attention, please." "We advise you to put vaseline on your face." "You can get it here." "Do you have any size 41 skates?" "No, I don't." "How old are you?" "Seventeen." "Then you can't enter." "You have to be eighteen." "l'm just skating to my uncle." "And halfway there, you borrow a card from a dropout." "I have 24 hours..." "We don't have time for you." "Out." "I only have 24 hours..." "Competitors with a number, please get ready in the enclosure." "The starting pistol will be fired in a few minutes." "Have they left yet?" "The big boys?" "Yes, just now." "Good." "I'm glad I can skate." "I was fired yesterday." "My wife left me." "Life is a party." "And you?" "Did the general give you a day off?" "No." "So?" "I just left." "So the army has to do without you today." "Yes." "The Russians can walk right in." "Those with numbers 1 to 1999... please proceed to the start." "Just to be clear: you run 800 meters to the canal." "It's clearly indicated..." "What's your number?" "6807." "We're in the same group." "So?" "We can skate together." "But I won't wait for you." "Will the skaters with numbers between 4001 and 6999... please proceed to the start?" "Good luck." "Go for it, and come back before midnight." "Does it hurt?" "There, to the left." "This is crazy." "Which idiot gave permission for this?" "When is the Queen arriving?" "It's over for you." "I want to go on." "No, no." "Stay down." "It's hospital for you." "You can set it." "I can, but then you'll feel this." "Sir, what size do you have?" "You know, my Dieuwke wants to settle down." "But that makes me nervous." "She's got to have a TV set." "All her sisters have one." "They're on about it all day." "They have a Mies Bouwman hairdo." "Take over." "But just wait." "When I bring that cross home, she can tell her sisters:" "TV is nice, but my Kees has finished the Eleven Cities Race." "Are you deaf?" "I said take over." "Relax, pal." "This isn't the army." "We have 200 kilometers to go. lf we're going to relax, we won't finish today." "Say, Henk." "Do you have a lot of friends?" "Hey, take it easy." "Hey." "Hey, take it easy." "Slow down." "I can't hear you, Colonel." "Pace yourself." "Not so fast." "Sorry, but we're not going to relax." "Over 10,000 skating fans braved the extreme cold... and set out early for eleven cities, to collect eleven coveted stamps." "They have until midnight to put over 200 kilometers behind them." "The Race of Races has begun." "Look, an official racer." "Hey, another one." "We'll finish first this way." "Forget it." "They say the weather's gonna change." "Look at that." "We'll be on the box, we'll be famous." "I bet Dieuwke's watching at her mom's." "It's me." "Put it back on, your eyes will freeze." "I called Kees." "He's not at home." "I don't know. I'm giving birth, and he does as he pleases." "Calm down." "No, I won't." "That rotter." "Keep him away." "I'll kick his unemployed ass." "Go on home, Mom." "This will take a while." "I think she's right, it will." "Are you alright now?" "Attaboy." "Just a short stretch to go." "It feels like we're floating." "When I'm skating like this, I could cry." "Really cry." "With happiness, that is." "Sounds nice, but I didn't catch a word." "Where are you from, then?" "What's wrong?" "Where am I?" "Near Sneek." "Just go straight ahead." "Coming?" "I can't see a damn thing." "Get up." "Give me a hand." "I really can't see anything." "Let me have a look." "Your eyes are frozen." "First Aid will give you drops." "So I'm skating with a doctor." "What's the doctor's name?" "Annemiek." "l'm Erik. I study law in Groningen." "I can't see you very well, but I really like what I see." "Annemiek, listen." "We've only just met, but will you marry me?" "Then I'll kiss you warm if you freeze." "She doesn't want to." "Can't you see that?" "And who do we have here?" "Sjoerd." "And what does Tjeerd do for a living?" "No, wait, I can smell it." "Hey Tjeerd, can I hang on to your cow's tail?" "The organizers estimate that only half of the skaters have reached Stavoren." "There goes another one." "Stop moaning." "We all voted, didn't we?" "This is crazy." "When it gets dark, all hell will break loose." "You're all taking a big risk." "Gentlemen." "Please." "Your attention for an extra weather report." "The North-Northeasterly wind will strengthen to force 8." "The temperature could drop to minus 19 centigrade." "Especially in the North." "If you're home, stay indoors." "If you're driving, we're expecting heavy snowfall towards the evening." "When it gets dark, there's talk of a weather alarm." "Back to the studio, for a live report on the Eleven Cities Race." "Call it off, damn it." "Get the skaters off the ice." "I agree. I think we should stop the Race." "Stopping is out of the question." "Because of the Royal Commissioner?" "That's nasty." "They won't fall as long as it's light." "The wind will exhaust them." "Volunteers will get the exhausted and wounded skaters off the ice." "People's toes will freeze." "This is irresponsible." "People will get killed." "What do you want?" "Get 10,000 people off the ice all at once?" "Who'd you expect?" "The Race Monster?" "No, much worse." "You're finishing it, right?" "Go for the cross." "A phone booth." "Hang on, I want to hear Dieuwke." "She'll be so proud." "We have to keep up the pace." "l won't be long." "Well, hurry up then." "Bleeker." "This is Kees. ls Dieuwke there?" "Did you see me?" "I was on TV." "Dieuwke is giving birth." "Already?" "I'm coming." "You'd better not." "Why not?" "Dieuwke doesn't want you to." "She doesn't want to see you anymore." "Why?" "Why doesn't she?" "Bye, Kees." "What's wrong?" "We have to get to lJlst." "I want some pea soup." "Damn it." "Kees." "Are you alright?" "No." "You go on." "Go on. I'm stopping." "What do you mean?" "Dieuwke's giving birth." "She doesn't need you, does she?" "That's just as well. lt's over." "What do you mean, over?" "She doesn't know if she still wants me." "So what are you going to do?" "Call her again?" "To ask if you can come back?" "You have something to prove." "To yourself." "To her." "Come on, be a man." "Like you, I suppose?" "I'd rather fall through the ice." "Well, good luck." "Jeen van den Berg, the first to get a stamp." "Paping and Uitham in the lead too." "They barely take the time to eat." "Yes, Commissioner." "The Queen is on her way by helicopter." "But there's no place to land at the finish line, Ritsma." "For the helicopter." "So... what do we do?" "Take that thing down." "Yes, go on." "Lower it." "Yes, that's good." "Bring it up." "Watch out for the wind." "Draw it tight." "That's good." "You can fasten it now." "That's great." "They'll take care of you at First Aid." "It would be nice to go on together." "No, thank you." "Just for today, I mean." "Go on." "Where's your card?" "A friend of mine has it." "You have to keep it with you." "Put it on my arm." "Well, alright." "Thank you." "Those students are such smooth talkers." "It makes me feel so dumb." "Those students are such smooth talkers. lt makes me feel dumb." "So what do you do?" "l'm a farmer." "I have thirty cows." "A farm of your own?" "How old are you?" "Eighteen." "I wouldn't call that dumb." "Which idiot moved the finish line?" "I did. I gave the order." "The Bonkevaart is too narrow." "A helicopter can't land there." "And it will attract a lot of people." "Just accept it." "How's it going?" "Fine." "You were right." "About the man." "What man?" "The man I'm not." "Oh, that man." "I'm going to finish it." "For the baby." "I'm looking for De Spieker." "The first farm from the road." "I have to take care of something." "I have to leave the track." "I enjoyed skating with you." "Maybe I'll see you again." "Yes, maybe." "Are you something, at home?" "Like, in love?" "Or worse?" "No, I'm... I'm nothing at home." "Uncle Bauke?" "Who are you?" "Sjoerd, Ale's son." "Your nephew." "Come in." "Henk, over here." "I've got pea soup." "Look." "Henk, I've got pea soup." "The situation is this." "Reinier Paping is in the lead, all by himself." "Followed at a ten minute distance by Van den Berg, Uitham and Verhoeven." "So, tell me." "Who's in the lead?" "Jeen?" "Why are you here?" "I want to buy our farm. lt's up for sale." "Eisinga wants 60,000 guilders." "You'll have to go to the bank." "They won't even consider it. I'm only 17." "I need surety." "So you skated past here on the Race and thought:" "I've got relatives here." "Something like that, yes." "My Dad didn't want me to come here." "I can't help you." "Why not?" "l'm vouching for Piebe and Jelle." "Get the boy some dry socks." "Yes, Dad." "Why have Mom and Dad never bought the farm?" "You didn't want to vouch for Mom?" "Ask your dad." "He doesn't want to tell me." "Then neither do I." "Why won't anyone tell me?" "lt's better not to know everything." "Here you go." "Thanks." "Maybe your uncle in Franeker can help." "It's a long way, so you'd better hurry up." "And remember, it's dangerous." "is it going well?" "Hang in there." "Folks, it's a battlefield here." "Hundreds of skaters have already fallen over." "On your arm?" "Here I am again." "That was a short family visit." "Put it on my arm." "Thank you." "What happened to you?" "It's nothing." "No, let me see." "Can you move your fingers?" "Sure. it'll be alright." "Then you were lucky." "Hey, Annemiek." "My family said you were in the Race." "Sjoerd, this is Aafke, my cousin." "Are you freezing?" "Yes, but we'll kiss each other warm." "Oh, just like Melle." "Stupid. I shouldn't have said that." "I have to get going." "How do I get to Workum?" "Miss." "Miss." "Can the Dutch army give you a ride across the Ijsselmeer?" "Yes, please." "You must get a nice view of the Race." "Certainly." "My fiancé is skating today." "He's a soldier as well." "He was on bivouac, in Havelte." "But his superior officer gave him leave." "That was nice of that superior officer." "lt certainly was." "Will your fiancé make it?" "l'm sure he will." "Henk is tough, he never gives up." "I may know him." "What's his last name?" "Brenninckmeijer." "Yes, that rings a bell." "Join them." "Join them." "Who's Melle?" "Don't do that." "What's wrong?" "Let me go." "I want to go alone, okay?" "I thought you were nothing at home." "l'm not asking how you got a farm." "Annemiek, get up." "Annemiek, get up, now." "Come on." "We have to go on, Annemiek." "You'll freeze on to the ice." "Come on." "We have to keep going." "Melle's dead." "I'm doing this for Melle." "He wanted a Race cross so badly." "I'll skate along with you." "Eat. I have to eat." "Want a sip?" "This is great fun." "Do you have something to eat?" "Sorry, old man, the rolls are gone." "Bastard." "I have to eat something." "Don't." "You're mad with hunger." "Don't do it." "Don't eat the snow." "Don't eat the snow." "You have to get up, Henk." "Don't lie down now, you're mad with hunger." "Open your eyes." "Come on." "Look at me." "This is hunger madness." "We have to keep going." "Coffee, Sergeant-Major?" "No, of course not." "Eat. I have to eat." "What did you say?" "Eat." "l've got pancakes." "Look at me." "Listen to me for a second." "It's over there." "Oh, sweetheart." "l'm here." "This is taking too long." "Get it." "You're under arrest." "You know the old saying, don't you?" "Every deserter has his day in court." "Maybe they have pancakes in the brig." "Get down." "Get going, Henk." "What's going on?" "You gave me a fright." "I'll explain later." "See you at the hotel." "Could you do me a favor?" "is that blood?" "Yes." "But don't worry about it." "Look." "For you." "Am in Workum." "Everything's fine." "Love, Kees." "Doctor, can I ask you something?" "Of course." "Have you got one?" "You mean..." "Reinier Paping still has a ten minute lead on Van den Berg and Uitham." "There's Paping." "Look at him fight, past Dokkum." "Against that icy wind." "Back to our reporter on the scene." "Dear viewers, the volunteers here have their work cut out for them." "It's chaos." "People are being brought in with frozen limbs." "The hospitals are working overtime." "There are even rumors that the Race will be called off completely." "Back to the studio." "It's getting out of hand." "We need the army." "We need what?" "We need the army." "Close that door." "That's all I know." "What I just heard." "The army?" "What did he mean by that?" "I know." "He's planning a coup." "The Republic of ice." "Listen." "On this day, the battle of man against nature reaches a new high." "The Race of Fools, through Friesland's white hell." "The Hell of '63." "Nice." "Well spoken." "l'm not finished yet." "Caught by a fickle North wind, the skaters slip through the net of death." "So far." "Because today, death is a dominant monster of frost." "A werewolf, lying in wait for anyone who defies it." "Now that's writing, Jack." "Yes, it's very... lt's very moving." "But the question is, why does Ritsma need the army?" "As you can see, a warm welcome in Bolsward." "Young man, how are you doing?" "Look, that's him." "That's Kees." "Really?" "We're staying the course." "You heard it." "Not a Race for quitters." "Over to Leeuwarden, where Her Majesty's helicopter is about to land." "Did you feel that?" "Can you feel it too?" "What?" "The ice." "They have to get off the ice now, this is much too dangerous." "How can you say that?" "Look around you. lsn't this marvelous?" "Look at the cameras." "Friesland is world news." "We're going to be famous, Ritsma." "It's crowded on the Grote Wielen near Leeuwarden." "The finish line is now over here... because there's room for many thousands of skating fans." "They all want to see this." "Live, as we say." "The Queen." "Come on." "No, you can't do that." "Commander." "Stop them, Commander." "The ice is unreliable." "Stop." "Get back." "Get back. lt's not safe." "Get back." "Get off the ice, everyone." "Get off the ice." "Get the doctor." "They're off the helicopter and hurrying to the finish... to welcome the winner." "Our camera man is doing a great job." "You're doing very well." "A hard belly." "Almost there." "They're asked to make room, but no one's moving." "The ice is taking a beating." "Now we're getting somewhere." "Do you have all her data?" "Yes, here he comes." "Reinier Paping, number 157." "Hands in the air." "Surrounded by enthusiastic fans." "It took him almost eleven hours to skate the 200 kilometers." "Reinier Paping, what a superman." "The hero of 1963." "Good afternoon." "Dr. de Jong." "I'm going to listen to the heart." "Mr. Chairman, I understand you want to put Friesland on the map." "Maybe because of your close ties with the Commissioner." "But this Race has to be stopped." "Ritsma, stop the Race." "When it gets dark, all hell will break loose." "We were lucky this time." "It won't happen again." "The skaters who arrive in Franeker later than five... won't make it to the finish before midnight." "We'll get them off the ice." "All in favour, raise your hand." "There'll be trouble." "They won't get off the ice." "They're heroes." "They're on TV." "Out." "Don't touch me. lt hurts, you know that." "We close all stations before Franeker." "That means Harlingen closes now." "All in favour, raise your hand." "The proposal has been approved." "Harlingen will be closed right now." "I'm terribly sorry." "Let me see." "Let me see." "Let me see." "Where?" "Am I bleeding?" "Are you alright?" "Yes, I'm alright." "Shall we go on together?" "Alright." "Stop stamping the cards." "Stop stamping them." "Orders from the board." "It's still four centimeters." "A caesarian is not without risk." "Do you want us to get your husband?" "No, he has to finish the Race." "Put on your goggles." "Your eyes will freeze." "No need. I've got small eyes." "You're not wearing goggles either." "Are you okay, Sjoerd?" "My skates are too big." "I borrowed them." "My feet are full of blisters." "What is he saying?" "He's got blisters." "Yes, I can understand you." "Yes, now we've got you." "What the hell?" "Let me go." "Why are you doing this?" "Let me go." "l'm going to my uncle." "He lives in Franeker." "You're screwing a buddy." "Take it easy." "What's wrong with him?" "His pipes are frozen." "Uncle Olbe?" "Sjoerd, Ale's son." "Come in." "Here, dry socks." "So you want to be a farmer." "With your own farm." "Yes." "This is my chance." "Like your dad, back then." "But he messed it up." "Even though he got enough chances." "How did that happen, Uncle?" "Because your dad was a big nincompoop." "He was too much of dreamer to be a real farmer." "I'm telling you the truth, boy." "The cows were lowing, and his head was in the clouds." "They called him Gone Away Ale, he was never home." "He did weird things." "Like fighting a bear at a fair." "He once claimed he could eat 30 hardboiled eggs in one go." "And he did." "I warned your mother, my sister, about him." "Yes, but they loved each other." "lt killed her, dear boy." "What has your father achieved?" "Nothing." "Nothing at all." "He has nothing to offer you." "And that's why I want to buy the farm." "If you would vouch for me, that would be great." "How do I know you're not the same as your father?" "That you are a go-getter?" "Well?" "I'm going to finish the Eleven Cities Race." "They're taking everyone off the ice." "I came this far." "Death or glory." "I am going to finish it." "If you'll vouch for me... I'll bring you the cross tomorrow." "The Eleven Cities cross?" "Unbelievable." "We have to be in by midnight." "We had six hours." "Dieuwke must be giving birth now." "She's probably more tired than I am." "I've been thinking." "Suppose l make it to Leeuwarden." "How?" "Just suppose." "Dieuwke is a little proud of me." "We'll emigrate to Canada." "Kees, you're in Franeker." "They'll never let us go." "You want to go on as well, right?" "Any idea how?" "Pretend you're in pain." "Hold your head." "You walk with a limp." "Okay?" "Not so loud." "Don't overdo it." "Where do we think we're going?" "I'm a doctor." "This man has to go to the hospital fast." "And this man has a commotio cerebri." "A what?" "A concussion." "The ambulance is waiting, so..." "Go on." "Doctor." "lt's a disaster." "60 severely injured." "One man is blind in one eye." "And it's not over." "Thank you, doctor." "Any news?" "1300 skaters have been hospitalized with frostbite." "60 severely injured." "One man is blind in one eye." "I propose to close Dokkum as well." "Anyone against this?" "Isn't that a little hard on the people who came this far?" "They saved their strength for the final stretch." "Mr. van Houten, I'm getting fed up with your sensation seeking." "You want people to get killed." "What are you saying?" "You don't understand." "Those skaters are heroes." "They'll..." "Good evening." "They'll still talk about them in 50 years." "He's got a point." "No, it's been decided." "And the decision will be carried out." "Dokkum closes immediately." "This is unbelievable. I think this is a..." "You'll read about it." "You're the last ones." "Look, there's another one." "Hurry." "Dokkum will be closed soon." "Forget it." "We'll never make it." "I'll be darned, is that Sjoerd?" "How are things here?" "Hard." "Everyone's being taken off." "And you?" "I'll get the loan for my farm if I can show the cross." "You'll never get it." "Unless they take a big group off." "But they're gone now." "There's another way." "No." "No, Annemiek." "You're skating for Melle." "Melle's dead." "Take it." "I'll distract them." "Hey, guys." "Catch me if you can." "Here I am." "Catch me if you can." "Now." "No." "Wait." "What's wrong?" "l can't go on." "My eyes." "What about them?" "l can't see. I can't see a thing." "My eyes are frozen." "Give me your card." "It'll be alright." "Now." "Hey, you can't do that, mate." "Get back here." "Who was that?" "Henk, stop." "What's the matter?" "Kees, what's wrong?" "Take those things off." "Take those damn things off." "Keep going." "Now." "It's alright." "Never mind." "Go on, guys. I feel fine, lying here." "It's alright." "Get out of here." "Go fight a war, man." "Don't bother. lt's alright." "I'm staying here." "Your legs will swell up." "You won't get them on again." "You made a promise." "For the baby, remember?" "No." "This way, Kees." "One more hour." "Then it's over." "Men, let's knock off." "What a day." "It was hell." "How much time left?" "Plenty." "We have to look for reeds." "Where there's reeds, there's ice." "What are you doing there?" "Where are we?" "On my dung heap." "What did he say?" "This is a pile of shit." "Come into the house." "It's nice and warm." "Do you have any food?" "Do you have any eye drops?" "Do you have a phone?" "Yes, I'll wait." "Here." "A few drops." "Henk, loosen my skates." "Please. I just want you to loosen them." "Don't do it." "Your legs will swell up." "We're going to finish it." "Your mother-in-law on the line." "Make it quick, alright?" "It's a boy." "With everything that goes with it." "And Dieuw?" "She's sleeping." "And you?" "Are you going to make it?" "Yes." "Easily." "Did Dieuw say anything?" "No, Kees." "When she wakes up, tell her I want to change." "That I wouldn't want to be married to me." "Tell her yourself." "It's too complicated for me." "I will." "I've got a son." "And I can see again." "Let's get going." "The ice is here." "Look at those lights. ls that the finish?" "It must be." "We're going to make it." "Oh no." "Oh, no. lt's not." "Now what?" "We'll ask inside." "We have to go to Leeuwarden." "Which way is it?" "Everyone's left there." "We have over 22 minutes." "You'll never make it." "We will." "They're checking all over." "They'll take you off the ice." "For those last few kilometers?" "Come with me." "You have to get past some soldiers on the ice." "A secret checkpoint." "But I can help you." "I'll just drive past it, if you want." "Just a few hundred meters." "Alright." "Hang on, mate. lt's against the rules." "You should talk." "You're a deserter." "Listen. it's the only way to get past the checkpoint." "But when we get past the finish, we'll make up for those meters." "Henk, hurry up." "What's wrong?" "Grit your teeth." "We have to go on." "I'll take it." "So, Mr. Telegraph." "That's it. I hope you've got your story." "Enough for a whole book." "A legend was born today." "Perhaps." "But it was a very painful birth." "Exactly." "That's how all legends are born." "Why do you always have to have the last word?" "Because I'm a journalist, honey." "You know what, honey?" "I'll never work with you again." "And I won't ride with you." "l don't care." "On your moped." "We can still be enemies." "In case you're interested, three more are arriving." "Three more are arriving." "Three?" "is one of them a soldier, by any chance?" "What time is it?" "We're going to make it." "You're very quiet, Henk." "I'm going to be sick." "It's going to be tight." "It's still early, isn't it?" "Marvelous, guys." "Congratulations." "Yes." "Thank you." "Here you are." "Thank you." "The whole army can be proud of this." "Thank you." "You can report in a few days later." "Sir?" "Sir?" "The Telegraph." "Are you the last one to get a cross?" "How does that feel?" "Beautiful." "So are you." "Where's the maternity ward?" "Straight ahead." "My girl..." "Well done, girl." "Do you still want me?" "No." "Unless... when Reinier and I come home... there's a brand... brand new... lt'll be there, honey." "It'll be there." "More than 10,000 skaters took part in 1963." "Only 69 of them got the Eleven Cities cross." "Paping, the winner, got two season tickets for the skating rink." "The province gave him a cigarette box and a hair-drier for his wife." "In his home town Ommen, an unknown man put ten guilders in his hand."