"THE LORD AND HIS SERVANTS" "We are presented today with a new church inspector." "Sigurd Helmer is our new bishop and will now be invested in his holy office." "Let's greet him with God's love and include him in our prayers." "Do you swear before Almighty God that you will do so faithfully by the grace of God?" "I do." "Then give me your hand." "I hereby invest you with the holy office of bishop by the rights and authorities invested in a God's inspector by our church orde_" "In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spiri!" "t." "Let us all pray." "Almighty, merciful God." "Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ." "Have mercy on this, your servant." "Lend him your Holy Spirit that he will work for your church and honour your holy name." "Give him strength to stay firm with your pure word and rightly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ." "Let him in speech, in deeds, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness be a model to us all." "Let everyone say with their hearts, amen." "Amen!" "In the name of Jesus." "Amen." "Agnes..." " You didn't expect me." " No." "When I saw your place card, I thought:" "If he comes after all he's only doing so for my'sake." " Not for his sake." " I'm coming for his sake." "To tell him about us?" " To tell him about the matter." " The matter?" "Can I count on you no matter what?" "Of course." "Even if it means your father's downfall?" "I'm angry with father." "I almost hate him because it was him and not you who was invested." "But he is my father." "I think he's been ruthless." "He stopped at nothing to be appointed." "He's been so brutal that even I suspect him of..." " We have proof now." " Proof?" " I've just been to the police." " Proof?" "Typewriters can reveal a lot." "The police are comparing the invitation for this dinner and one of the anonymous letters." "It's the same typewriter." "A lopsided O in my name." "First I was slandered in an anonymous letter." "Then I'm invited to his dinner." "Both times with a lopsided O." "Written by your fathe_" "I'm sure you understand I have to give this to the police?" "I'll go and pack." " Who wrote the place cards?" " Miss Monsen from the office." "I'll go with you." "Bishop Steen?" "When my wife and I..." "and the children wanted to see our friends today..." "Agnes?" "Open the doo_ Stop your nonsense." "What on earth?" " Where do you think you're going?" " Awav." "You'll go and sit at the table." "Put on your dress." " Let me go." " Now, listen, sister." "You're angry at father." "I never liked him." "But we'll sit at that table." "We could say a lot about greedy ambition and vanity, but not now." "Put on your dress." "I'll look the other way." "You don't know what's going on." "I'm a heathen and a sailo_ But I know when to behave." "Be a good girl now." "Hurry up." "Then we'll talk about it later." "I'm leaving home because father is a fraud." " He's steeped in church politics." " I'm talking about a real crime." "Has he offended the doctrine again?" "I ran away to sea to get away from this theological madhouse." "Father's a cunning Jesuit, mother's a former theologian, you're a Pietist." "Mother knows how to keep it private." "You ought to do the same." "Put on that dress." "We are a family, after all..." "Mother doesn't know the police'll press charges against fathe_" "What are you saying?" "I'm here to talk to Bishop Helmer." "Go and get him." "If you'll excuse me for a moment." "Please don't let this..." "Margrete, see to it that..." "All in all I do agree that..." "You don't exactly tread softly, but I'm glad you came." "What's this?" "We missed you at the table." "She has to stay and hear this." "Hear what?" "Hear what Arvid has to say." "His words mean the world to me." "Mean the world to you?" "What are you talking about, my child?" "Arvid and I..." "are in love, fathe_" "You want to marry?" "Yes." "You never cease to surprise me, Tornkvist." "That's what you had to tell me here and now while the roast gets cold?" "You don't understand..." "You're excellent." "That's why I like you." "We have fought hard over the crozier and then you propose to my daughter." "You enter the house like a roaring bull to ask for her hand." "Well, we've been enemies, but I must say you're a real man." "Leif, run in and tell all the guests." "No, I want to tell them myself." "Isn't this the mostjoyous day?" "Margrete, let's celebrate our daughter's engagement!" " What are you saying?" " No, please stay in your chairs." " They're coming." " Who's coming?" "It's also a peace bringing day." "Doctor Tornkvist, my opponent in the election for the episcopate will now be my son-in-law." " Come on in, Arvid and Agnes." " Go on." " Can you stop your father?" " Come on, now." "Make him close the door so I can talk to him." " Come on, Agnes." " Agnes, bring him in here." "I trust it's not already over?" "I think they have to agree on Hell first." "That can take a long time." " Are we enemies again now?" " We can't be anything but." "Have I misunderstood?" "You make it sound like a threat." " It's more than a threat." " What's the threat?" " Your punishment." " For what?" "For your crime." "It's hard to lose." "Your balance is easily upset." "You're a fanatic, Dr Tornkvist." "Agnes, we have guests." "You don't get off the hook." "I know there's power behind your words." "You speak for a great section of the church." "I know you're a respected scientist, but you're also a priest." "Don't forget you're facing your bishop." "You're sitting in my bishop's chair, Helmer." "Agnes, Tornkvist lost the election because there's a Hell dividing his faith and mine." "Maybe also your faith and mine." "Is my church a crime just because it has shaken off its yoke?" "I won the battle and I'm not fighting it again here and now." "An omen is written in blood across the sky, Helmer." "An omen of God's wrath and the punishment for evil." "Agnes, this should be a joyous day." "Shall Hell be allowed to spoil it?" "Dr Tornkvist can't get it into his head" "I'm proud of him as my soninlaw though I detest him as a theologian." "May I ask you a favour?" "Do your best to make peace between him and me." "No, father." "She says no because you stole the holy office." "I come here with the law in my hand." "Your heavenly law or the Ministry of Justice's?" "You've got some nerve." "You don't talk like that from the pulpit." " You want me to open the door?" " I'm talking about the police." "About your anonymous letters." "Anonymous..." "Now you've really crossed the line." "You want me to open the door again?" "I asked you to close it for Agnes' sake." "Don't close it for my sake." "You'll have a competent audience." "Bishop Steen, vicars, the governo_" "Is the slanderer having second thoughts?" "Very well." "Please excuse me, but Dr Tornkvist, my future soninlaw, wants to inform you of something." "I believe he has a statement to make." "Please go on." "Yes, I have a statement to make." "I accuse Sigurd Helmer, invested as bishop today, for winning the office by unlawful means..." " How dare you?" "!" " Leif!" "Please continue, Tornkvist." "I'm sorry." "Unlawful and unworthy of the church's servant." "These underhand methods make him unworthy of the bishopric." "I further accuse him of writing false accusations." "Doctor Tornkvist!" "Please hear Tornkvist out." " I accuse him of writing letters..." " He's your bishop!" "I talk about Bishop Helmer who wrote an anonymous letter requesting all not to vote for me." "He wrote it on a typewriter, copied it and sent it to 36 people." "Mostly vicars and members of the parish council." "This is way out of line." "You're not in on it, are you?" " Yes." " This is the truth, so help me God." "For the sake of the church we will not discuss this." "For the sake of the church, the truth must be told." "Read this letter." "For the sake of the church, take this up privately with your bishop." "Goodbye, Bishop Helmer." "Can't you see how absurd this is?" "No, stay." "Take up your battle with me here and now." "Who's to benefit from your public ranting about this nonsense?" "I leave when I want to." "You have no respect for your bishop." "At least respect the law." "You forgot that typewriters can be as revealing as handwriting." " The typewriter has exposed you." " I've heard more than enough." "Now I must ask you to leave." "I think you should go to the police." "I've already done so." "I handed them the proof." "And they are convicting, Sigurd Helmer." " I'll drag you to court." " Then you draw the short straw." "Don't leave, Miss Monsen." " Do you remember all we've said?" " Yes." "She'll be the last to turn her back on you." "But she'll leave you, too." "No." "I know that bishop Helmer could never do anything like that." "You are Satan and Hell." "You are everything that scares us." "Bishop Helmer had to defeat you because he's light and kind..." "Poor lost soul." " Did she leave?" " Who?" " Agnes." " Yes." " She really believed this about me." " Yes." "What about you, Leif?" " Did you do it?" " You really ask me that question?" "It was a thrilling and dirty battle you fought for the church." "Don't you see that this is madness?" "And I'm supposed to have written this?" " Did you write it?" " Did I write it?" "You know that I didn't." "Yes." "Now I do." "And I'm glad you didn't." "How could you even ask?" "How can anyone believe that about me?" "Agnes believed it." "Everyone will believe it." "They only know the vicar." "I know the person." "Your dangerous choice of career hasn't spoiled you yet." "You call a life serving God a dangerous career?" "I do." "The older I get, the more I respect God and disrespect his servants." "I hope you enjoyed the meal..." "all of you." " So you disrespect me?" " No, I love you." "You're my life." "And you have to take life as it comes." " Your talk is blasphemous." " But it's true." " You're a Doctor of Theology." " Then I know what I'm saying." "When you started to look for a bigger parish..." "But you haven't eaten anything." "Let me..." "You're mocking me." "The roast is cold." "I'll ask them to..." "It's good enough for me." "Continue your theology lecture." "When you started to look for a bigger parish, you saw everyone who stopped you as your enemy." "Yes, your enemy." "You won the episcopate with sharp words and dangerous cunning." "It feels nice to say." "It had to be said." "You've gone so far that accusations like these seem plausible." "Even your own children doubt you." "They see you as a climber." "A man with Jesuit morals who believes the end justifies the means." "I repeat:" "No one will believe it." "They'll know I didn't write that." "It's your thoughts." "You've had these thoughts." "What does it matter that you didn't write it?" " Are you turning your back on me?" " Never, Sigurd." "It's the vicar I'm finished with." "Piety as a profession." "You'll still have me, no matter what people say or do." "No matter what you do." "You..." "I will fight for as long as I breathe." " You talk as ifl'm in danger." " You are in danger" "As long as my conscience's clean, I'm safe here in the Bishop's residence." "I'll just go and open the door for the police." "You'll find a typewriter on my secretary's desk." "Mine's on the desk here." "And, yes, we do have a copy machine." "Please take a look around." "It's cold here in the cellar." "Someone wrote that letter." "And that person must have had some intention." " Can we agree on that?" " I don't like your tone of voice." " It's not here?" " That's correct." "First, you thought it was at home." "It wasn't." "Let me repeat." "Your every word shows suspicion." "I'm way above suspicions like that." "I'm not so sure about that." "I only know you're a bishop." "History has seen many an enterprising bishop." "What are you implying?" "Police officer Bjerke just does his work." "You'll start an investigation based on these absurd allegations?" "Do I have any choice?" "I have to investigate, like you have to preach." "You have no thought for the scandal this will bring upon the church?" "I do, and I rather enjoy the thought." "So little happens in my district." "Go to work, Bjerke." "With the Bishop's permission." "I must say..." "You've stated very strongly that this is all nonsense the police shouldn't take seriously." "We don't see that as an explanation." "Ourjob is to find an explanation." "A couple of the letters are now being searched for fingerprints." "That's where we are." "It's freezing in here and we'd like your fingerprints." " As if I were a common villain." " It's a mere formality." "You can refuse, of course." "I have no reason to refuse if that's what you suggest." "Go see Miss Monsen as well." " It's written on your typewriter..." " Only used by me and my family." "A good officer, but a chatterbox." "I'm afraid I can't offer to drive..." "I'm staying here." "I feel disgraced and blackened." "It washes right off with warm water." "But you'd better look for a lawyer." "A good lawyer." "o praise o praise with Him to Paradise o praise o praise with Him to Paradise" "Praise the Lord." "And I feared the Lord's wrath." "My sin was boundless." "My soul was in the devil's hand." "Don't make me drag you in to God." " Hallelujah, praised be the Lord." " Father, let me go." "Jesus Christ saw me wander before the gates of Hell." "He reached out to me and had mercy on this poor sinne_" " Praise the Lord." " Let me go, fathe_" "He took me before God's throne and he cried and mourned me." "And he prayed that my soul be saved." " Praise the Lord." " Yes!" "the sins of the world in my heak" "I pray o God I pray that all my pain you will discard" " Who are you?" " Officer Bjerke." "I have a few questions." "o praise o praise with Him to Paradise o praise o praise" "I haven't done anything wrong." "I would think so, too, if I lived here." "I haven't done anything wrong." "I haven't done anything wrong." "I haven't done anything wrong." "Father, don't beat me." "Don't beat me." "BISHOP HELMER ON TRIAL" "IS THE BISHOP A CROOK?" "DID HELMER STEAL THE CROZIER?" "The court is assembled." "The trial against Bishop Helmer continues." "The court will not tolerate any further disruption." "At the least sign of disturbance, I'll have the court cleared." "This case has caused a stir all over the country." "But here in my court, only clear and objective facts are welcome." "I demand of both parts that they take due note of this." "Is this to be understood as criticism of my procedure?" "The public prosecutor heard my words." "Honourable court." "I once again declare this case should be rejected." "All charges against Bishop Sigurd Helmer should be dismissed." "What we see here is that the very office ofjustice is abused to serve obscurant interests, is abused in a concerted effort to destroy an innocent man." "I am conducting this case because I know this is cruel injustice against a proud and noble man." "And now I get up to protest." "This was the final straw." "I object to this procedure intended for the gallery and..." " The proof!" " No, the press." "Order!" "No more warnings." "I find the defence has good reason to be concerned." "Does the prosecutor expect to show clear proof of the accused's guilt?" "Yes." "The case continues." "Next witness, please." "I'll continue my interrogation of Doctor Tornkvist." "Doctor Arvid Tornkvist." "Doctor Tornkvist, today we have to go into further detail." "You are absolutely convinced Bishop Helmer wrote the anonymous letter." "On what do you base this belief?" "The style and the wording is his and no other's." "He's my sworn enemy." "Two relentless fractions of the church clashed with him and me as opponents." "He wanted to beat me by any means to knock out our faith." "And rob you of your eternal Hell?" "It's easy to mock faith." "Woe to the man who wishes to distort God's word and considers himself better than the scriptures." "Woe to the man..." "That's enough theology, thank you." "The court only wants facts." "He was careless and gave me further evidence." " Don't go on about that lopsided O." " I said further evidence." "A new card placed over a wine glass at his dinner table." " Don't give us your card tricks." " On his honour's desk, please." "Who does this card testify against?" " Miss Monsen?" " Spelled M- lopsided ON-S-E-N." "I permit the evidence." " Who has written this card?" " My wife, Bishop Helmer's daughter." "She told me herself." "Does the defence demand Mrs Tornkvist on the witness stand?" "My daughter's word needs no cross examination by my defence." "The witness can go." "I know that she wrote the cards." "It was me who asked her to." "On your private typewriter?" "On which you yourself wrote the invitations?" "The one that disappeared a few hours after Dr Tornkvist's accusations?" "And yet you don't remember when you last saw it?" "You must believe me..." "All I can say, and I'll repeat it:" "I have not written these letters." "I demand you take my word for it." "You keep saying we have to believe you." "Then give us reason to believe you." "We can't swallow everything even if it comes from a bishop." "No such comments." "Ask your question." "I simply demand that the bishop begins to understand he's accused." "I have evidence against him and intend to gather more." " We've waited patiently for that." " I'll present that typewriter." "It's empty promises." "Or I'll convince everyone that if this typewriter is no more, it is clear and conclusive evidence against Sigurd Helmer." "I won't have that procedure." "But I agree with the prosecution that your case is weak as long as you don't find the typewriter or can explain this." "I can't." "I've just received a note from the son of the accused," "Leif Helmer." "Please step forward." "You believe you have relevant information about the current subject?" "I do, Your Honou_" "Do any of the parties object to the testimony of this witness?" "The prosecution has no objections." "The defence finds the witness completely irrelevant." "He's just returned from five years at sea..." " What do you know about that?" " I agree." "Does the defence object to hearing this witness?" "We don't object." "Now it comes undone." "...and nothing but the truth." " You couldn't by any chance..." " Not now!" " What do you want to tell us?" " It was me who took the typewriter." " I dare say!" " Ditto." "When did you take it?" "Saturday evening after my sister wrote the place cards." "I needed money." "I sold it to a sailor from Ringholm for 300 krone_" "It's on its way to Australia." "So the police can call the ship and find this sailor?" "He wanted to go ashore in Bristol." "He's left the ship by now." "And thereby disappears into the great unknown." "Why didn't you confess earlier?" "Because this is a joke." "Father could never do such a thing." "I thought it would work out without me getting involved." "But then your father hit rough weather..." " And here I am." " Did he ask you to say this?" " I object!" "This is a disgrace!" " Why?" "If it's the truth?" "Does the Bishop doubt the witness as much as I do?" "Answer me." "Do you think your son is telling the truth?" " He can't comment on that." " Answer me." "I think he didn't take it." "We agree." "Do you demand this witness to go under oath?" "Keep quiet!" "While you still can." "I respect your loyalty to your father." "But your lenient attitude towards the law frightens me." "No oath necessary." "Next witness." " It is Jens Arthur Gren." " Jens Arthur Gren!" " He's not here?" " He is." "One moment, please." " Jens Arthur Gren?" " Is it my turn?" "Leif!" "Like we say at sea:" "The rats desert the sinking ship." "I've brought the typewriter." "Well, nobody came to fetch it..." "Stop it, now!" "Stop it!" "Order!" "Or I'll clear the court!" "Bring the typewriter to His Honour's desk, please." "Will shop manager Gren please tell us about the visit from..." "Now, I'll never..." "Collision?" "With a child." "I hope it can be fixed?" "It has written its last word." "It can't be that bad." "You must fix it." " How much will you spend?" " Whatever it costs." " I'll have to replace all keys." " Fine with me." "I'll wait here." "I'm passing through and want to take it with me." "Do you think it will be done in a matter of minutes?" "Do you see this man in the court here today?" "Isn't he the one sitting right there?" "Will the accused please stand?" "That's him." "K3rlsen." "Merchant Karlsen." "At least that's what he told me." "Can you offer any explanation for this?" "Is it the truth?" "I..." "I..." "I want a yes or a no." "Yes." "Jens Arthur Gren, do you swear you've told the truth?" " Yes." " Raise your right hand and repeat." "I swear so help me God the almighty and omniscient." "Then I'll ask the bishop, excuse me for stating that he's been caught suppressing facts, why didn't you notify the police when you found the typewriter?" " You have to believe me..." " Why?" "Because..." "Because I..." "Does the bishop need help to tell the truth?" "You're welcome." "Perhaps you're tired." "Do you wish the court to adjourn?" " The court must consider..." " I need no considerations." " I'll answer the question." " Don't keep us in the hot seat." "When I found the typewriter in the fireplace and saw someone had wrecked it, my first thought was to call the police." "But then you had second thoughts." "I'm more interested in those." "They told me to restrain when I was about to dial the number." "Please continue." "For the first time I understood I was in danger." "One of my opponents wanted to finish me." "It was a trap?" "What American gangsters refer to as a frame-up?" "Who are behind this scheme?" " Is he in this room?" " Yes!" "Order!" "Now he'll finish him off." "Where is this gangster?" " I'm just saying..." " Speak up, please." "I'm just saying I have a suspicion of who it might be." " You're backing out now?" " His suspicion may be justified." "What a fine testimonial for the church." "The strife of vestries is severe." "And nothing is more common than gangster methods?" "Does the accused himself wish to make a statement?" "It's true that the strife is severe." "There's a church fraction that threatens with Hell because it wishes to have powe_ Power over frightened human souls." "And there's another fraction which fights for a free and joyful church." "I don't want a faith based on terror." "This point of view has made me a dangerous and hated man." "But among free people my point has a right to live." "So they don't dare to stone me." "Not even to excommunicate me." "Not even denying me the office I deserve." "But the fight continues." "With hidden and shady means." "With ambivalent pastoral letters and mudslinging." "But they haven't stopped me!" "They didn't manage." "Maybe because the opponents were left at the battlefield?" "The Lord needs warriors." "Back to the warrior's weapon:" "The mudslinging he keeps mentioning from his glass house." "Who do you suspect?" "Answer in all honesty." "Who do you suspect?" " I'm thinking of Dr Tornkvist." " I expected this last low trick." "Order." "Please sit down, Dr Tornkvist." "We will hear you later." "Bishop Helmer, you've voiced a serious suspicion here in court." "On what grounds?" "Do you have any evidence?" "Evidence?" "Evidence?" "So low can a bishop sink." "Bishop Helmer, the court will listen if you wish to alter your explanation." "I'll now ask you if you wish to confess to writing the anonymous letters?" "Margrete, you know I didn't write this lette_" "I know you didn't write it." "TO MARGRETE MONSEN" "What are you doing here?" "My mother asked me to see Miss Monsen and invite her for supper." "She'll never visit your house of sin again." "I'd never have guessed she would be so heavy." "Do you have a bottle of spirits?" "I was just standing there." "Beaten." "Mislead by my own client." " Don't say that." " Forgive me." "I'm innocent." "Then you're already wrongfully convicted." "It's not enough to keep protesting your innocence." "This case rests on one single thing:" "On the trust in you as a human being." "Until today it wasn't shaken, but in a few hours..." "And how is your trust in me?" "I'm no hypocrite." "And I've never been." "I can speak and I will do so." "But the holy conviction that made me take on your case..." "Are you covering for someone?" "Do you suspect your wife or daughter?" "No!" "I stated who I suspect." " What about evidence?" " Evidence..." "There are a few points we have to discuss." "I hope it's not too late." "Are you blocking my way?" "Do you want her to live or to attempt suicide?" " Our Heavenly Father will decide." " Tonight I'll assist him." "Wait outside, Leif." "Nice evening, Monsen." "Go to hell." "Take it easy." "We'll go in a minute." "You rest now." " Go?" " Yes." "To our place." "You can stay at our house if you want to." "I read your letter." "It only confirmed what I guessed long ago." "No more stupidness." "I don't judge you." "No one blames you for sending the letters." " But I also wrote them." " It was his thoughts." "His words." "Every single word was true." "I knew it." "They were as true as the words of God." "He paced the office floor muttering to himself." "I took shorthand without his knowing to read it through when I got home." "He was so good." "He had to win." "And everything he said about his opponent was true." "He was evil." "And then I thought everybody needed to know this." "That I could help the one who had to win if I did what I did." "And you were afraid of..." "I often think he's standing there coming towards me." "So your father and Tornkvist merged into one for you?" "They both stand for hate and eternal woe." "Maybe they're right and that's why I still live." "Nobody can take away my sin." "I'm no longer sure that Jesus exists." "Now I have to tell it as it is." "Miss Monsen, my husband had the thoughts you wrote down." "Do you think he's so small-minded that he'll deny what he's done?" "Let you take the blame for his own sin?" "You admire him and love him just like I love him." "I know that, too." "But is it any wonder?" "I hope you think him big enough to take your little sin upon himself." "It's nothing compared to his sin." "I can't let him..." "I can't let him be convicted." "And I'm too scared to talk before the court." "I can't live, but I'm too afraid of dying." "You're in my house." "Your daughter is ill." "Give her peace and quiet." "Thank you for coming so soon." "She can't stay here." "I know this house." "She's going to our place." "Mrs Helmer, you have enough worries." "Don't take on too much." "She's my responsibility." "Leif'll get the car." "It's late." "Shall I make you coffee?" "No, thanks." "We're just about ready." " There's a letter from Miss Monsen." " Miss Monsen?" "Not that it'll make any difference." "It's her confession." "Bishop Helmer!" "Victory!" "Bishop Sigurd Helmer!" "Victory!" "Don't you understand what this means?" "Rehabilitation." "Poor, disturbed soul." "You're allowed to feel happy." "Relieved." "I must say you're quite the actress." ""Not that it'll make any difference."" "I see that letter from Miss Monsen as a miracle." "Complete rehabilitation." "Now your office is safe." "People will travel a long way to hear your sermons." "It's crystal clear." "Indisputable." "I've never seen anything like this." "I said that I was innocent." "But nobody believed me." "Nobody." "And now the nightmare is ove_ Because I was right." "Because I am innocent." "As you see, lawyer..." " I must admit..." " One moment, please." "She only sent the letters." "She wrote down what Helmer thought aloud." "He didn't know she was taking shorthand." "You gave me a right scare." "We all have derogatory thoughts sometimes." " It's not a crime." " The Bible says it is." "But not the law." "The Bible is irrelevant." " Is it, Sigurd?" " Margrete..." "It is of course regrettable, but let's keep things separate." "Your husband is appearing in court tomorrow." "I have to plead my case and then we'll get the verdict." "This letter determines the case." "The verdict is based on actions." "Miss Monsen must accept responsibility." " She can't." " She has to." "Don't give me that speech about your husband's responsibility." "You can't suggest a miscarriage ofjustice against your husband." "Just because the truth will be a tad uncomfortable to a secretary." "Christianity's based on a miscarriage ofjustice." "The death of Jesus." "How can Calvary have anything to do with a court case in our time?" "Don't let this affair with Miss Monsen get to you." "I won't have any trouble assuring her of a mild punishment." "Maybe even a suspended sentence." " And if she can't bear it?" " It won't kill her." "It'll kill her faith." "And that's her life." "She's probably overwrought right now." "No wonder." "But what she chooses to believe in..." "She believes in a saviour." "A saviour?" "You can't seriously mean..." " Mrs Helmer, your husband's tired." " I'm no more tired than you are." "In my own home I need no defence." " Then I'll leave." " I didn't mean to..." "We won't gain anything from discussing it now." "But let me say one thing before I leave." "Consider the landslide that'll bury you if you're convicted." "You'll stand there stripped of your honour and your office." "I agree." "Further discussions tonight are fruitless." "And your wife's statements about the example of the saviour have nothing to do with this case." "I would like to keep Miss Monsen's letter." " But it's a piece of evidence." " Not yet." "I ask you to sleep on it." "We'll discuss the letter tomorrow." "I hold you to your vow of secrecy." "Of course." "You're pleading your husband into misery, Mrs Helmer." " Margrete?" " Yes?" "Do you have the strength for this?" "I don't have the strength to see you win over someone as helpless as her." "But if you have the strength, it'll affect the children and us..." "It's..." "Go up to her, Sigurd." " Is she here?" " It's the only place she feels safe." " Is she ill?" " She'll wake up again." "She looks as if... she's dead." "She can live for her faith if she's allowed to keep it." " I..." " Get some sleep." " You're going to court tomorrow." " Give me more time." "I'm not so strong a man." "I need more time." "BISHOP HELMER ACQUInED" "HELMER ACQUInED" "ACQUInED" "Sigurd?" "You're going to court tomorrow." "You have to go to bed." "I'm going to court tomorrow to be convicted." "What did you say?" "Am I guilty?" "The judge, the prosecutor and the defence know the law and yet they don't know it." "If you preach the salvation of Jesus Christ each Sunday, but aren't willing to act as saviour yourself then you're going before the highest court." "It's the law." "The officer can grow old in unbroken peace, but if the day comes when his life is needed" "he must sacrifice his life." "The captain prefers sailing in quiet weathe_" "But if misfortune knocks, it's his duty to let everyone else live and go under himself." "It's God law." "The court of my conscience is assembled." "The verdict is clear." "I now consider it proven without a doubt that Bishop Sigurd Helmer is guilty as charged." "One of the country's highest office-bearers stands charged of a crude and caddish action unworthy of one of the church's servants." "I've looked for mitigating circumstances, but I've looked in vain." "Your honour, it's my heavy duty to demand that Bishop Sigurd Helmer be removed from his office and relieved of all his duties as inspector, preacher and spiritual advisor of our church." "Does the accused wish to make a statement before the verdict?" "No." "No, they're not from me." "An errand boy brought them." "See who they're from." "They're from the lawyer, Lind." "The card says: "With the deepest respect from your defence lawyer."" "I'm going away now, father." " I wish you a good journey." " Thanks." "I'm boarding Burmann." "It's a good ship off to Rio." "These flowers..." "These flowers could've been from me." "No, we haven't spoiled each other with flowers." " Or words, for that matter." " No, we've never spoken much." "And when I finally said something in court, I only made matters worse." "Why did you say it?" "I stood up for you." "That's what we do at sea." "You, mother and I are in the same boat." " That's my religion." " Your religion's okay, my son." "Let me." "This must be the first time you and I agree on theology." "People always asked me if I was the son of the famous Helmer." "I said no." "There were too many big words for my taste." "People fell into a swoon, just lying there..." " Where do you want this?" " There." "I wasn't proud of it." " Just keep answering no." " Now I'm going to say yes." " I have to go now." " Have a good trip to Rio." "It's been a long time..." " Please be careful with that." " We'll hang it carefully." "No more goodbyes, Leif." "It wears me out." "Just one last thing." "What did Miss Monsen write in her letter?" "It was a private letter for me." "Father got flowers from the lawyer." "How nice of him." "You're leaving something out." "I'm going away for a long time." "And we don't see Agnes anymore." "I'll have a lot of time for thinking on my night watches." "It's good to have something nice to think about." "I know you, mothe_ You can't hide it." "We're so alike." "You were like your father when you spoke in court." "You were willing to sacrifice a lot." "Goodbye, Leif." "Don't be ashamed." "Dear Lord, let me strive not so much to be comforted, but rather to comfort." "Not so much to be understood, but rather to understand." "Not so much to be loved, but rather to love." "It's by giving that you receive." "It's by forgetting yourself that you find yourself." "It's by forgiving others that you're forgiven yourself." "It's by dying that you come into eternal life." "English subtitles:" "Malene Hollnagel Scandinavian Text Service 2009"