The Weight of Water (2000) - full transcript

I didn't do it!

I swear to God,
I didn't do it!

Those women were
always good to me.

I'm innocent!

I'm innocent!
I'm innocent!

John, you know me.

I have nothing to do
with any murder.

I'll kill you!

Please.
You must believe me.

Is this the man you saw commit
these terrible murders?

It's all right.
You're safe here.



- Jesus loves me.
- The devil loves you.

Jesus loves me...

Jesus loves me.
Jesus loves me...

The State of New Hampshire

versus Louis Wagner.

Call your first witness.

The people call
Evan Christenson.

And what did you do
when you got to Smuttynose?

When I got to Smuttynose,
I went up to the house

- And went right in.
- And what did you see?

I saw my wife
lying on the floor.

Dead or alive?

Evan! Evan!

Evan.



Your mother looked
a little tired.

She can handle it.

If you're not used to having
a five-year-old around...

I thought the whole point
was to get away.

If you're gonna worry
about Billie all weekend...

All right, Thomas.

What?

Nothing.

I'm looking forward
to seeing Rich.

It's been quite a while.

A weekend with my brother...
that's a rare treat.

I'm a photographer
for a magazine.

They're doing an article
about the murders.

My brother-in-law
has a boat,

and I thought he could
take us to Smuttynose Island,

- Where the murders happened.
- Hey, there...

We left our daughter
with her grandmother.

I thought it would be
sort of a vacation.

Jean, this is Adaline.

Adaline, this is my favorite
sister-in-law.

- Favorite and only.
- Caught on a technicality.

Rich introduced us
to his new girlfriend.

- Hi.
- Hi.

I didn't know
he was bringing anyone.

This is my husband, Thomas.
Adaline, wasn't it?

We've met, actually.

Hi. At the writers'
dinner, right?

- Yeah.
- Oh yeah.

- Hey.
- Hey. It's been too long.

Where's all this go?

Old man lays down.

Come on,
I'll teach you how to dive.

It was impossible to know
that we had 17 hours left.

Or 12... or three.

This is it?

"... the two women
were discovered in the kitchen,

strangled and bludgeoned
with an axe."

Isn't "bludgeon"
a wonderful word?

One of the best.

Oh, this one's good.
"The nude body of Anethe..."

"An-nette."

"The nude body
of Anethe Christenson

was draped with a cloth
as if the killer could not bear

to look at his handiwork
while he sipped his tea."

Imagine the psychology
of a guy who could sit

and drink tea with two women
he's just bludgeoned.

This must be
the kitchen, right?

Where they found
the bodies.

Yeah, about...

over there and...

here.

Help!

Hello!

Help!

"Although Louis Wagner
was convicted of the murders,

the matter has been debated
for over a century."

I'm working on the "Oswald
'single axe' theory" myself.

Adaline is hoping you might
read something

for us later tonight,
Thomas.

Whatever you're working on,
you know...

we're not critics.

Many poets can turn a phrase,

but most of them
don't have the balls

to tackle
the really great themes.

I'm not sure I even know what
the "really great themes" are.

Abandonment...

loss, castration...

That's never gonna be
one of my problems, thankfully.

Chauvinism?

That's tired,
don't you think?

What about Yeats?

The celebration
of the human imagination.

- The magician.
- Melancholy.

It's all melancholy.

"The room swinging
with emptiness

like an unswung bell."
Valentin Iremonger.

I think
the really great ones

use words in such a way
you can never take them back.

Yeah, they do.

"To separate from life...

from tantalizing mysteries
and salt spray...

from the grave
gypsy eyes...

and the sacred, poignant flesh
of long-limbed dancers,

unsullied,
but not for long."

She's memorized you,
Thomas.

I stole "poignant flesh"

from Rich.

- I don't remember saying that.
- You were drunk.

I don't think I'd ever
use that word.

That's so like you.

You probably read more
than anybody I've ever met.

But you always pretend
you'd rather be drinking beer

- At a Red Sox game.
- Depends on who's pitching.

How did Wagner know
the men would be gone?

Sorry. Still thinking
about the murders.

But Louis Wagner...
the man they hanged...

how did he know
the women would be alone?

He's got a 12-mile row
back to shore,

why take time
to drink tea?

And why cover one woman's face
and not the other's?

Axe murderers don't tend to have
the most razor-sharp intellects.

Maybe her eyes were open.
It was the sight of them,

the accusation.

He couldn't stand to have her
looking at him.

So it was an act
of passion.

But using an axe
requires intimacy.

Think about...

how close you have to be
to your victim...

the vibration in your hand,

and the handle as the blade
strikes bone.

The spray of blood
warm on your face,

and standing over her,
her last choking gasps.

If he had gone there
with the intent to murder,

he would've taken a gun.

I think the killer was in love
with one of the women.

And murder was the only way
he could possess her.

I like that.

Wagner... Wagner.

He came into the house.

Wagner?

He took an axe

- And he swung it.
- Oh God.

God help us.

Anethe...

Is she hurt?

Evan. Evan.

Is she all right?

- Maren... Maren?
- Evan...!

Is she all right?

Evan! Evan!

It was funny
the way I found out.

Our daughter
was in the hospital.

Jean had...

I guess neither of us
had paid enough attention

to an infection
that she had.

Next thing we knew,
she was barely breathing.

We rushed her
to the hospital.

It was pneumonia.

She was tiny...
she was six weeks old...

and had tubes going in
one end and out the other.

And she was fighting
for every breath.

And I think
in a moment like that,

you feel hope
crossing over into grief.

Nicely put, Thomas.

And they had her in this
fucking box...

an incubator...
and it looked like a coffin.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Then someone from the committee
found me in the hospital.

I got on the phone,
they told me I'd won.

Oh, I didn't have any idea.
I'm sorry.

Of course, Billie's fine now...
tons of trouble.

But it was just so unimportant
to me at the time.

I don't think I know what
it's like to win a Pulitzer.

Love is never as ferocious

as when you think
it's gonna leave you.

Thomas!

What?

Have you done something
with the wine

- We're having for dinner?
- The wine?

- It's almost time to eat.
- I've got it right here.

Open it for me, Thomas.
You're the expert.

There was a flesh wound
upon the right forehead,

separating the upper part.

The left ear
was nearly cut through,

separating it
from the head.

In my opinion,
a very heavy instrument

had to make those blows.

An axe,
in all probability.

The only people who knew

the women would be alone
that night

were Emil Ingerbretson...
'cause I asked him

to tell Maren we couldn't
make it back...

and Louis Wagner.

When did you arrive
in America, Mrs. Hontvedt?

I arrived five years ago
with my husband John.

He is a fisherman.

We left our home
because we were told

this is a land
of opportunity.

This is not it, John.

Surely this is not it?

Hello!

Sit...

and have a rest.

We don't have
any money to go back.

We'll make it.

The best cure
for melancholy is industry.

And though the winds
blew for days, neverending,

and the gulls
never ceased their cries,

we drew strength
from the rhythm of our labors.

And from God.

My husband and I grew
accustomed to the solitude.

I didn't mind the work.

I never complained.

I was brought up for this.

The wind carried off
our speech

so we spoke less.

And with work, I suppose,
we had less to say.

It is better
not to take the chance

of asking
an uncomfortable question,

or revealing an affection
for another person

that may bring
unintentioned pain.

It is wiser,
I think,

to keep silent
and preserve the bond.

I knew that I would not
be able to leave the island.

I had to bite my cheek to keep
from breaking into tears,

that once started,
might continue forever.

Can you get me
a drink, please?

Sure.

Adaline...
- Shit! Quick.

Shit!

Jesus Christ.
Help!

Can you help?!

Jesus.

- Something blew this way.
- Here.

- Thanks.
- And here.

Thanks.

Jesus.

Thanks.

What's all the excitement?

Nothing.

Nicely done.

Hah!

Never get it.

There's a certain poetry
in photography, don't you think?

You know, putting a frame
around the world?

I imagine that's maybe
part of the attraction

between the two of you.

You think so, Thomas?

Makes sense.

I always felt it was more
of an animal attraction myself.

Two strays sniffing
each other in an alley.

You overreached.

I was thinking about
what keeps people together

over the long term.

So how did you two meet?

Thomas introduced us
at the dinner.

I think actually he was
trying to get rid of me,

because I was acting
like a groupie

and asking
too many questions.

Two seconds after I met him,
I was asking him

how he got his scar.

I couldn't help noticing it
in his photograph...

you know, the one in the back
of "The Magdalene Poems"?

Seemed like it would've been
so easy for him to just...

turn away a little
so it didn't show.

But he didn't.

What did he say?

I said...

that I had a car accident
when I was a kid.

The driver was drunk.

I probably read
too much into things,

but I thought it was maybe
something we had in common.

'Cause I put my arm
through a window once.

- We need more wine.
Sure.

I'll be right back.

I'll get a towel.

Oh, help!

Anethe!

Anethe!

Please...

Thomas?

Thomas?

I don't think he did it.

What?

The murders.
I don't think Wagner did it.

It was the woman,
the survivor... she killed them.

Jean, I just need
a few minutes' sleep.

I can't sleep at all
on this fucking thing.

Maren.

Yes?

John?
What's this?

It's for you.
A little company, I thought.

- Do you like him?
- Yes.

- I like him very much.
- Good.

Thank you.

I'm going
to call him "Ringe."

Oh... you have a letter
from home.

- Do I?
- Yeah.

I thought Evan
would never write.

It's from my sister,
Karen.

Our father has died.

She's coming to America.

She can't.

We have no other bed
and no money for it.

That's all right.

I've been saving some money
for the new schooner.

It's fine.

You're seasick.
Yes, I am a little.

Welcome.

Be careful
with that trunk.

I'm sick from the boat.

I need tea and bread.

Karen...
how is our brother?

He's well.

Is that all?

Hasn't he written you?

We had one letter.

One letter
in all this time?

I'm surprised.

I thought our brother
bore you a special affection.

He's probably busy.

He was not too busy
to be a comfort to me.

He took me on a holiday
over Easter.

And to the theater.
And to supper.

And we stayed in a hotel.

He's prospered
wonderfully.

And put money by.

No doubt he will soon
meet a young woman

to turn his head.

Perhaps he'll come
to America.

Don't be absurd.

A man who prospers
in his own country

has no need to flee.

He's well, though?

And happy?

Oh yes, Maren.

Never better.

We found Karen
a domestic position

early that spring
at the Appledore Island Hotel.

I hoped the work
might occupy her.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- You sleep well?
- Yeah.

Guess I'm the last one up.

- Hi.
- Hi.

I thought we could
call Billie later.

I just did.

Oh, you could have
told me.

They were going to the park.
I said you'd call later.

- Is she all right?
- She misses us.

She said that?

I could tell.

But it doesn't matter.
We're gonna be back tomorrow.

"Hi. We're unable
to take your call right now,

so please leave a message,
and we'll call you back."

Hello, John.

I brought a mate
from Portsmouth

to board with us.

He has some rheumatism,
and it needs nursing sometimes,

- But he's a good hand.
- It's so cramped as it is.

Come in, Louis.

Louis Wagner, madam.

From Germany?

I hope I won't be
a burden to you.

It's no burden.
What's one more?

Louis, let me show you
your room.

Come.

Sorry to be so stiff.

I'm afraid you will soon
be looking after me

and my rheumatism.

Do you mind
the extra work?

I never mind work.

May I see your hands?

They're strong.
That's good.

Sometimes it helps
to have my joints massaged.

Would you do that
for me?

If my husband
has no objection.

If he doesn't know,
he can have no objection.

They're waiting for you
on the boat.

It's coming on again.
I can feel it.

Would you help me
to the bed?

Please?

Thank you.

All right.
Ease me down, Thomas.

"Dear Mr. Plaisted,

I will be in Portsmouth
on April 15th,

and would very much
appreciate it

if I could meet in your
chambers that afternoon.

Please respond
by return post.

Sincerely,
Mrs. John Hontvedt."

Aren't you hot?

Do you want to swim
or something?

Take a look at this.
Tell me what you think.

What is it?

A letter Maren Hontvedt
wrote to the prosecutor.

- What do you think?
- Not much to it, is there?

- Look at the date.
- April 7th, 1875."

That's two years
after the trial.

What reason could Maren have
for meeting the prosecutor then?

Okay, I give.

Louis Wagner
was hanged three weeks

after she wrote
this letter.

Maybe Maren couldn't live
with the guilt

and she wanted to confess
before an innocent man died.

Confess?

I thought you were
snapping a few photographs,

- Not re-opening the case.
- Aren't you curious?

Yeah.

I want to go back
to the mainland for a few hours,

look around
the courthouse in Portsmouth.

Maybe there's a record
of this meeting.

We are running
a little low on wine.

Thomas
is outdoing himself, hmm?

Hey...

you all right?

So I thought...

Never better.

"And in that day they shall
roar against them

like the roaring
of the sea,

and if one look
unto the land,

behold darkness
and sorrow,

and the light is darkened
in the heavens thereof."

You're a good cook.

I'm not.

You're right.
It's dreadful.

I must be a fool
to keep eating it.

I think you are
feeling better.

A miraculous recovery,
I think.

You are
a "sister of mercy."

Are you lonely here?

No.
Of course not.

I have my dog Ringe.

Yes, your dog.

Is he enough?

I have my husband too.

Dog first, husband second...

that is the usual
order of things.

Should keep such observations
to yourself, Mr. Wagner.

I'm lonely too, Mrs. Hontvedt.
That's why I asked.

You're too young to be
a married woman.

John doesn't deserve
such a beautiful wife.

I have made
some konfetkake.

- Would you like some?
- Konfetkake? I don't think so.

You are the only confection
that interests me.

Perhaps I could have
just a little "taste"?

Mrs. Hontvedt,
don't be offended.

I only tease you.
You've not been teased much.

Am I correct?

You should go.

As you wish.

I would do anything
to have you.

And did the defendant cease
his unwelcome overtures?

He did not.

Women's motives are always
more concealed than men's.

So you think Jean's right
about it being the woman?

It's always the woman.

I can't see a woman
using an axe.

- Lizzie Borden?
- She was acquitted.

Because 12 men on the jury
couldn't see a woman

using an axe.

Maren must have used an axe
every day chopping wood.

But why would she
kill them?

When a woman kills,
it's generally a spouse.

For obvious reasons.

But her sister
and sister-in-law?

It doesn't make
much sense.

It is remotely possible
they hanged the right guy.

Come on, Rich.
What's the fun in that?

Excuse me,
but aren't you that writer?

Yeah... William S. Burroughs.
A pleasure.

I read "The Magdalene Poems"
for my class.

What'd you make of them?

Good. Really good.
Thomas Janes, right?

What are you
working on now?

An infomercial,
but don't tell anybody.

That's my brother, Rich,
the handsome one.

Can I go to the courthouse
with you?

It's not necessary.

I want to go.

All right.

That Mr. Wagner
is quite handsome.

He seems to like me
very much.

- Is that why you're smiling?
- Heavens, no.

I was thinking how much
I enjoy my work at the hotel.

Making beds
and washing chamberpots?

Don't be crude.

Perhaps I am smiling because
I have a wonderful secret.

- Secret?
- Be patient, Maren.

You will find out
in good time.

Karen? Please...

tell me what your secret is
or I shall die of curiosity.

Oh, it's nothing.

Only that I had a letter
from our brother.

Evan?

Did you bring
his letter with you?

I'm so sorry, I left it
in my room in Appledore.

What has he written you?

Only that he's coming
to America

in October.

Really?

Evan's coming?

He says he wishes to stay
with you and John.

Hello!

Evan.

Evan!

Evan!

Evan!

Hello!

- Evan!
- Maren!

Is that woman with you?

Evan! Evan!

Evan!

Hello to America!

Such a happy day.

We have to have
a little celebration.

Maren,
this is Anethe.

This is my beautiful wife
Anethe.

A toast
to the new arrivals.

My beautiful sister
Maren.

This is Louis.
Louis Wagner.

Anethe,
will you dance with me?

Okay, you're gonna dance.

Play it.

Come and dance with me.

Bravo, John.

Please continue when
you're able, Mrs. Hontvedt.

When I could open the door,

I looked out and saw the man
grab a chair with both hands.

So I shut the door again
and hurried back to my sister.

I told Karen to hang on
and we would escape

through my bedroom window.

But she said
she was too tired...

just laid there
on the floor.

And the man
kept pounding on the door.

I told Anethe to hide,
so she jumped out the window.

When I told her to go
and to look for help,

she said she could not.

The fear had taken
her voice.

I was standing at the door...

keeping out the man.

And then suddenly
the pounding stopped.

I heard Anethe
"Hello, Louis"

several times.

And I went to the window

and looked out,
and saw that man.

Louis! Louis, no!

With a big axe he struck her
once and she fell.

Please...!

He struck her again, and back
he came toward the house.

Again I told my sister
Karen to run,

but she said
she was too tired.

So I jumped out
the window...

ran down
to the henhouse...

saw the little dog...

and I thought to row away,
but could not find a boat.

So I ran to find
some rocks,

to hide myself away
from that man.

And is that man
among us today?

If it so please the law,

I shall with my heart
and soul and sound mind,

speak of the true
and actual tale

of that incident
which continues to haunt me.

I make this statement
not in defense of myself,

for what defense have those
who still live, breathe and eat

and partake of the Lord's
blessings,

against those who have been
so cruelly struck down,

in such a way as I can hardly
bear to recall?

I can't do this.

What is it?

I don't know.
I can't do this here.

It's not you, Thomas.
It's me.

Hold me, please.

Something's gonna happen.

I believe it was
God's hands that caused me

to realize that I must
somehow survive my ordeal

so that I would one day
be reunited with my brother.

I vowed to keep as still
and as silent as possible

so that the stormy motions
that threatened to consume me

might come
under my control.

If you hurry,
you can catch John

before they sail off
for Portsmouth.

This island
has everything I need.

My wife is here.

That is all I ever need
or want.

And my sister
is here, too.

I don't need the distraction
of the city.

I am content to stay here
and bait the trawls

and think about
my good fortune.

You and Anethe
are settling in well?

Isn't it obvious
how happy she is?

She's... very agreeable.

And also pleasant
to look upon.

But Anethe has a lot to learn
about keeping a house.

But I've brought her
to a good teacher.

You've turned yourself
into a first-rate cook.

I'll go fat from it.

And with any luck,
you'll soon be fat yourself.

Is that so?

I only mean that one day
you may give us all good news.

What is it?

I cannot have a child.

Are you sure of this,
Maren?

Have you been
to a doctor?

I have no need
of doctors.

Three years have been
proof enough.

To tell the truth,
I'm not so surprised.

I have suspected
all my life.

Or at least since...

You remember?

You remember,
don't you?

Yes... yes, of course
I remember.

I have thought the simultaneous
onset of my womanhood...

These are not matters
of which

a brother and sister
should speak.

These are private matters.

I would never do anything
to upset you.

Is your marriage
a happy one?

We have managed.

No... I mean in the matter
of a child.

You mean, does my husband put
his seed in me with regularity?

For God's sake,
have some dignity.

Evan, I'm so sorry.
Please forgive me.

Please forgive me.

Sometimes I think
I'll go mad.

Good morning, Maren.

So, I must go bait
the trawls.

Forgive me
for being so late.

May I have some cheese
and sausage

from yesterday's dinner
for my breakfast?

Poor Maren.

Why did I leave
the broom lying?

I'll get the mop.

I've ruined your floor,
didn't I?

I'm just useless
sometimes.

Can you forgive me?

I fear I'll never be
the kind of wife you are.

Evan speaks
so highly of you.

I'll clean it up.
Let me do something to help you.

It's no trouble.

Please.
Can't I be useful somehow?

Our boarder with sore joints
was asking for you

to come to his room
and read to him.

You want me to go to read
to Louis Wagner?

In his room?

He can't walk,
Anethe.

So if he's to be read to
it will have to be in his room.

The book's there
by the front door.

Ja?

I have come
to read to you.

Thank you.

Anethe...?

Louis...

he...

Anethe...
you poor thing.

Anethe?

He...

Louis...

Hush. You don't
have to tell me.

I'll tell John
he stole provisions.

He'll be off the island
in the morning.

If you ever told Evan,

he would murder Louis.

He would be hanged.
Do you understand?

You are so good to me.

Shh-hh!

You must rest.

It's not enough
to live off my charity,

you steal
from me as well?

I never touched a dime
of yours, John Hontvedt.

You calling my wife
a liar?

As God is my witness, I don't
know why she'd say such a thing.

Get out of my sight.

Get out of my sight!
Go!

From now on you have
to earn an honest living!

"Though they go mad

they shall be sane.

Though they sink
through the sea,

they shall rise again.

Though lovers be lost...

love shall not,

And death shall have
no dominion."

Dylan Thomas.

We met in a bar

where he was
giving a reading.

I didn't know
it was "Poets' Night."

That morning I had
my first assignment,

taking pictures
of a bloody corpse

the police had fished
out of the Charles.

Perfect preparation
for meeting me.

I think what Thomas
liked about me

was that I'd never
heard of him.

Rich, they look fantastic.

Had you really
never heard of him?

No, I was more of a visual
person, I suppose.

I didn't read poetry.

Anyway, I went on
about my work

never asking Thomas
a thing,

telling him about
this photograph I'd taken once.

It was a father pulling
his son from an icy pond.

In the picture, you see the man
lying down on the ice,

his hands
clasping the boy's,

and both of them
have their eyes closed.

And then Thomas said
the most remarkable thing.

Do you remember?

No.

Come on.

Look,
I don't remember.

He said that my work and his
are very much the same...

we're both trying
to stop time.

- I never said that.
- That's exactly what you said.

- It's pretentious shit.
- No it's not. It's lovely.

If I did say that,

I was just trying
to get into your pants.

I wonder what moment
it was I might have altered.

What movement, left or right,
might have changed fate.

Perhaps I could have done it
with a word... a thought.

It was good of you
to do this for Jean.

She needed the time away.

Maybe everybody would've been
happier if I'd stayed home, too.

You serious about her?

You know me, Thomas,
I never get serious.

I leave that to the romantic
in the family.

I'm a romantic?

I guess you have to be
to write the way you do.

Whatever
the consequences.

Jean knew what
she signed up for

when she got together
with me.

She knows better
than anybody.

Talent excuses cruelty.

Don't you know that?

Not talent...

genius, maybe.

You're talented, Thomas.

The world is full
of talented assholes.

God...

Even a hack can spin something
out of a sunset like that, huh?

I don't even carry
a pen anymore.

How long have you been
interested in Thomas' poetry?

I think I've
always read Thomas.

After the prize,
I guess everyone does, huh?

Not with such
sensitivity, no.

- You're joking with me, right?
- No. I'm absolutely serious.

It's obvious he enjoys
talking to you about his work.

Not that he actually
writes much anymore.

"Blocked" is a clich?
you'll never hear him stoop to.

Oh. I wondered
about that.

You know
he killed a girl?

Thomas killed a girl?

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

When the car accident...
his scar, you know...

Thomas was driving.

There was a girl
in the car with him,

and Thomas went off
the road,

caught his rear wheel
in a ditch and flipped over.

She died.
They were 17.

Was he drunk?

Yes.

So the poems were about her...
"The Magdalene Poems"?

An examination...

of a 17-year-old girl

in the last four seconds
of her life.

"To separate from life,

From tantalizing mysteries
and salt spray...

from grave gypsy eyes

and the sacred poignant flesh
of long-limbed dancers.

A cross...

A cross, my shield
on the altar of her neck."

But her name wasn't Magdalene.
It was Linda.

Hmm, Linda.

And he loved her?

Very much.

I don't think he's
ever gotten over it.

In a way, all the poems
are about the accident

even when they
don't seem to be.

But he married you.

Well, Linda was dead,
you see?

And I hadn't the faintest idea
who Thomas was.

Why did you tell me this?

Don't you want to know?

What's up?

Not much.

God, I can't have
done all this.

Don't touch the dishes,
all right?

I'll be back to do them
in a moment.

Thomas?

- Thomas?
- What?

You're trembling.

Take my coat.

Thank you.

John...

don't you dare sail off
to Portsmouth without my list.

Calm yourself.
We're just doing our chores.

We'll be back to eat
before we go out.

What makes you think
you can beat this wind?

And for God's sake,
don't forget to take

Karen back
to the Appledore.

She's not comfortable
sleeping in the kitchen.

It's wonderful...
having company.

It's ludicrous to sit
in your bonnet doing nothing.

The men aren't taking you
for hours.

Please, don't quarrel.

Not on this day.

What day?

Oh, sisters,

you must swear yourselves
to secrecy.

I have not even
told my husband.

Congratulations,
my dear.

- Is it too soon to be decent?
- How can you be sure?

I am two months late.
January and February.

Perhaps it is the cold.

It is the cold that makes us
seek each other's warmth.

I'm so happy for you.

Hello!

Hello!

I knew it.
They couldn't beat that wind.

They've gone straight
into Portsmouth.

What am I to do all day
dressed in these clothes?

It's a good question.
So, that is that.

The men will not
be back tonight.

This kind of wind
dies in the evening.

Unless they are at the harbor,
sails will not fill.

I cannot bear
to spend the night alone.

You won't be alone.

You're with Karen and me.

I now encounter my most
difficult task of all...

which is that
of confronting the events

of the 5th of March, 1873.

It is not that I do not
remember details of events,

for I do...
too vividly.

The colors sharp
and garish;

sounds heightened and abrasive,
as in a terrible dream

that one has over and over
and cannot escape.

The longer they stay away,
the fewer chores we have to do.

I'm hungry.

Should have eaten
your supper.

I've just cleaned up
the kitchen.

Maren?

Can I spend the night
in your bed?

I am cold
and afraid.

Don't be silly.

Perfectly safe
and warm in your room.

Please?

I know it's childish,
but please?

Come.

Just let the fire
burn down.

Oh, Maren,

you are so watchful
over us.

Like a mother hen.

Your face feels
so warm.

Do you have a headache?

Anethe...

Is that better?

Yes.

Do you not miss John?

The attentions?

Sometimes it's hard
to sit in a kitchen

till it is time
for bed.

Do you do it
every night?

Yes.

Us too.

Turn over.

Take off your nightgown.

My nightgown?

I want to rub
your back.

Anethe...

There.

Is that good?

Yes.

I love you, Maren.

Did I hurt you?

No.

I love you too,
Anethe.

I have discovered in my life

that it is not always for us
to know the nature of God,

or why he may bring
in one night

pleasure and death
and rage and tenderness,

all intermingled,

so that one can barely
distinguish one from the other.

And it is all that one can do
to hang on to sanity.

- Sorry. I didn't mean to...
- Oh, Jesus Christ!

I can't believe you swam
all the way out here.

I had to.
Somebody stole the Zodiac.

Here. God, you must be freezing.
There you go.

You're crying.

- No, no I'm not.
- What are you up to here?

My God...!

I just needed
to take a few more pictures.

In the dark?

The murders happened
in the dark.

What's this?

It's Maren Hontvedt's
statement to the prosecutor.

Looks like the original.

I sort of "borrowed" it
without permission.

It's not like you.

What am I like,
Rich?

Go back to bed.

You all right?

- Yeah.
- Where you been?

I went to the island
to get a few more shots.

I came back the moment
it started to rain.

The other boats left
15 minutes ago.

I don't know
what's going on.

Where's Adaline?

Still sleeping.

Here, would you
take this line?

How'd you sleep?

- What's going on?
- What's going on with you?

Is it really bad?

...indicated by Doppler radar.

Category IV conditions,
including heavy rain,

tidal flooding and winds
above 75 miles an hour

are being reported
along the coast...

We've got a front coming in
faster than I thought.

Okay.

- You all right?
- Yeah.

Listen... the wind alone
could put us on the rocks.

So I'm gonna motor in,
same as the other boats did.

Even if we get caught
out there

we'll be better
than in here.

- Thomas?
- Yeah?

I need you to put sail ties
on the main, all right?

Tightly.

- Jean?
- Yeah?

You and Adaline lock down
anything that can move...

binoculars, camera, drawers...
anything that can shift.

There are extra bungee cords
in here if you need them.

Anything you don't
want to get wet,

put inside a plastic bag
and seal it.

- Jean?
- Yeah?

If this bilge pump stops
running, come get me, okay?

Here, put these on
right now.

I'm going up.

You two gonna be
all right?

Yeah.

I've never been
in a storm before.

We'll be all right.

Did Rich help you last night
with your photographs?

You were gone a while.

I needed to get a few
more shots. He just swam out.

I guess he got worried
and came to check on me.

I wanted to meet you,
Jean.

That's why I came.

Thomas has told me
a lot about you.

Thank God.

I thought a husband might
cure you of perversion,

but I see you have only
grown more depraved.

You don't understand.
I was cold.

So you take off
your nightgown?

- Please.
- Do you think me a fool?

- What is it?
- Oh, poor thing.

I had hoped to spare you this
for your own sweet sake.

Karen!

But now that Maren
has corrupted you as well...

- Stop it.
- She lay with your husband.

- Stop it, Karen.
- Her only brother!

Her sins could only be stopped
by sending her to America.

- It's not true, is it?
- I loved him as you do.

It was sickness,
not love!

When your husband knows,
he'll...

Maren! Oh, my God!

You don't think
to scare me...?

Rich!

Rich! Rich!

Rich, there's water
on the floor.

- What's wrong?
- We've lost power.

- I'll tell Rich!
- What's happened to your face?

- It's rough out there!
- Thomas, I wanna talk to you!

Where's Adaline?

She's seasick.
She went to lie down.

Rich, there's water
over the teak.

- What?
- There's water over the teak!

Check the bilge pump!

Get out of the way.

We've lost the engine.

Jean, can you come take
the wheel for a moment?

Come up and I'll show you
what to do.

- Thomas?
- The sooner the better.

Thomas...?

For God's sake, Jean,
take the wheel!

Thomas, I love you.

Take the wheel!
Go!

Keep the seas behind you
like they are now.

Whatever you do, don't let
the waves get to the side.

You'll be fine.
Take the wheel.

Okay.

Here, put these on.

Damn it, hold tighter.
- I'm holding as tight as I can.

- How bad is this?
- If we get water in that line,

we're fucked...
do you understand me?

Adaline!

Adaline!
You need a vest!

Adaline!

Adaline!

Anethe?

Anethe?

- Maren, please...!
- I never wanted you to know.

Please...?

Oh, please!

I'm so sorry.

Maren...

No one can say
with any certainty,

unless he has lived
through such an experience,

how he will react when rage
overtakes the body and mind...

"... the anguish so swift
and so piercing,

an attack of all the senses,

like a sudden bite
on the hand."

Jean!
Get off the bow!

Adaline!
Adeline! Adaline!

Get off the bow!
What?

Give me your hand!

There he is!

Thomas!

And is that man
among us today?

Silence! Silence!

Silence! Silence in court!

Hang him! Hang him!

Silence!

Jean, Jean, Jean...

Louis Wagner...

you have been found guilty
of murder in the first degree.

You are to be taken to
the state prison at Thomaston,

there to be hanged by the neck
until death ensues.

Thomas, Thomas...

This is my idea.
My brother-in-law has a boat.

I thought he could take us
to Smuttynose Island

where the murders happened.

We left our daughter
with her grandmother.

I thought it would be
sort of a vacation.

It's one of those lies
we all believe...

that you can mix business
with pleasure.

The prosecutor
will see you now.

Mrs. Hontvedt.
It's been quite some time.

I've come to make
a statement about the murders.

"The Lord is my Shepherd,

I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside
the still waters.

He restoreth my soul.

He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk
through the valley

of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil,

for Thou art with me.

Thy rod and Thy staff
they comfort me..."

God is good. He cannot let
an innocent man suffer.

Louis Wagner is innocent.

God forgive me
for letting you hang him.

"... Amen."

Woman are
naturally unstable, of course.

- Not always to be believed.
Quite true, sir.

We must respect
the jury's decision.

Is that understood?

There are times
in your life when you sense

that something
is about to happen.

And at the same time
you realize it already has.

They say it's also true
of dying.

You can see your life
in an instant,

beginning with birth and ending
with total knowledge.

"Though they sink
through the sea,

they shall rise again.

Though lovers be lost...

love shall not."

I believe
that in the darkest hour,

God may restore faith
and offer salvation.

Toward dawn,
in that cave,

I began to pray
for the first time

since Evan had spoken
harshly to me.

These were prayers
that sprang from tears

shed in the blackest moments
of my wretchedness.

I prayed for the souls
of Karen and Anethe,

and for Evan,

who would walk up the path
to the cottage in a few hours

and wonder why his bride
did not greet him at the cove.

And again for Evan, who would
stagger away from that cottage

and that island,
and never return again.

And I also prayed
for myself,

who did not understand
the visions God had given me.