Mysteries (1978) - full transcript

A wealthy visitor to a small town befriends a midget and gets involved with two women as his behaviour becoming ever stranger.

In our little town nothing

very much happens.

People go about their business...

...the days get longer or shorter...

...the seasons come and go.

Nothing, unusual.

Till suddenly in the winter of 1891 a

number of extraordinary things happened...

...which turned the

town upside down.

It all began with the suicide of

the young student Mr. Karlsen.

He slashed his

wrists, like a fool.

Because he was

rejected by Dany Kielland...

...the vicar's beautiful daughter.

Immediately afterwards...

...a strange man appeared who

said his name was Johan Nagel.

He was carrying a

violin case, like a gypsy.

But he was no gypsy -

we saw that straightaway.

Johan Nagel had no

reason to come to our town.

He had no business

to transact there...

...and he hadn't come

visiting friends or relations...

...for he knew nobody at all.

If you ask me...

...his visit was somehow connected

with the death of young Karlsen.

Had Karlsen been

a friend of his?

Had he perhaps come to

avenge Karlsen's death?

Whatever Johan Nagel

came to this town for...

no one's ever been

able to find out, for sure.

A room please.

Seven...

Do the walls keep the noise

from the other rooms out?

Of course, Sir. The Grec

Molin is a very respectable hotel.

Good...

Thank you.

Who are you?

Sara's my name.

If you wish I could get

another room for you.

No, no, there's no need, I'm

very satisfied with my room.

I can see the whole

promenade, it's very amusing.

I, eh, have to ship

a crate of fresh fish.

Have you any idea how

that can be arranged?

No idea.

Oh, you look like a seasoned

traveler, that's why I thought...

No, no.

Oh, your business

brings you here?

No, I'm not a business man.

I noticed you had

a violin with you.

Perhaps you might play

for our guests some evening.

Yes maybe. By the way you can

give me the bill any time you like.

I can pay whenever you wish.

Oh thank you, thank you.

But there's no hurry about it.

If you're planning to

stay a longer period...

...I could give you a

favorable discount.

I could be staying. It depends

on a few things. I'm an agronomist.

A gentleman farmer.

Johan Frederick Nagel.

So you might be staying

the whole winter here?

Maybe longer.

I saw him near the hotel.

He took notice of me.

Why?

We call him “Minute”.

He went round looking at

the houses and the streets...

...and the people as if

he were examining them.

He seemed to discover things that

we'd never given a second thought to.

The things a man sees

clearly on his deathbed.

He was looking for something.

Whatever it may have

been, he didn't find it.

Or maybe he was suffering

from some incurable disease...

...and had picked out our

nondescript little town...

...to come and end his days in,

as if he were suddenly consumed...

...by love for everything.

He used to carry this bottle

of prussic acid about with him...

...90% strong it was.

A horrible poison.

Later on, the landlord of

the Grec Molin Hotel told me...

...that he used to spend hours

alone in his room, just moping.

And there was a strange light

in his eyes, like one possessed.

Nagel's mysterious disappearance

had the most terrible consequences...

...as if some evil spirit had

been let loose amongst us.

By now most of us have put these

events at the back of our minds...

...all except the two women

who treated him so scandalously...

...and betrayed him.

Good day. Forgive me Miss, that I've

to speak to you, but I'm a stranger here...

...I've lost my way.

Where do you want to go?

Eh, could you please tell

me how far it is to the town?

The precise distance?

Eh... the precise distance... I can't

say exactly. I'm not from here either.

If you take that path over

there... it is eh... a half hour's walk.

Thank you, thank you very much.

If you're going that way, would

you allow me to accompany you?

It's slippery.

You've nothing to fear. I won't

disturb you. I won't even speak.

I'll just walk alongside of

you and listen to the birds.

Why are you running away?

Dammit!

Coming!

I apologize for

being so terribly late.

I'm sure you had something

very important to do.

I was in the graveyard.

I was thinking.

Then you must have seen the place, where

they're burying poor Karlsen tomorrow.

The man who was found

dead on the Sneafell?

Yes... it's a very

strange business.

He was laying on his belly,

with his face in the mud.

Yesterday the police

discovered a knife - a penknife.

He was a very talented young

man, according to the newspapers.

Yes. He was to become

a vicar in a few weeks.

He was here on a little holiday.

His poor mother lives

just around the corner.

Did he kill himself?

Well, both his wrists were

slashed. That's not an accident.

With his face in the mud...

Tomorrow they're burying

him in consecrated ground.

But the more I think

about the case...

It all points to an

ordinary love story.

Ordinary? How so?

He had a piece of

paper in his mouth.

But that doesn't tell us

anything special... he made notes...

...when he was out taking a walk.

And what was on it?

“'May the steel of your blade

cut as sharply as your final 'no'.”

What nonsense! Steel...?

The penknife belonged

to Miss Kielland.

Ah, the daughter of...

...of the vicar. But

everyone here loves her.

Please Sir, what I've just told you

is confidential, so I beg you not to...

Yes, of course...

It's a little island.

...I asked him,

what's the fellow been drinking...

Dance with me, Minute.

Oh, not today

please, I'm very busy.

I've taken the coal to the kitchen.

Would there be anything else sir?

What else would there be now?

Come! And drink a glass of

mothermilk with us, Minute...

With pleasure, Inspector.

But not now please.

Not now? Why not? Can't

I offer you a glass of beer?

Aren't you the son of a

distinguished vicar? There we go!

No, you know I can't

take strong drink.

Drink!

There, one sip to please you.

Come on, bottoms up!

No, please, don't

be angry with me.

I'll drink it up.

I've got no head for it.

No head he says!

And now, you must gnash

your teeth in front of us, Minute.

I'm short of time.

Short of time!!

Hey, it's about time you bought

yourself a new coat, Minute. Look at this!

What are you

doing, my only coat.

Don't worry, you'll get a brand

new one, Minute, from me...

I promise you in front

of 1, 2, 4, 6 witnesses.

Tomorrow come to my

place to fetch your new coat.

Yes, but to earn it tonight,

you've to gnash your teeth for us.

No...

No! I?

I cannot gnash my teeth.

You'll be able to just fine,

once you've had a glass of beer.

I'll be sick.

I'll gnash my teeth.

That's what I like to hear.

Oh, do stop Inspector,

or I shall wet my knickers.

Harder, harder gnash!!

I cannot do it any harder.

I give up.

What I want you to do is

to taste this delicious drink.

Right to the bottom.

Here, drink it up.

What do you want from me? I've

got feelings, like the rest of you.

No Inspector,

you're going too far.

If you break this glass on

the head of this bully here...

...I'll protect you from

the consequences.

What did you say?

No please.

I said bully.

Go to the devil! You

goddamned foreigner!

I'm not standing

any more of this.

If you feel like having a

fight, go outside - not in here!

Shall we get some fresh air?

How did you come by that strange

nickname? Your real name's Grogard?

I was baptized Minute.

In church?

No, it was at a party...

At a party?

There was captain Prante,

Dr. Kolbey and eh... the customs officer.

I forget his name now.

It was a bachelors party

and they were drunk.

And they were running

around half naked...

Oh not me, because I didn't

want to take my clothes off.

So they took me and

threw me in a barrel of wine.

Well, the customs officer, he threw in a

broken glass and some ash from the stove...

...and Dr. Kolbey, he emptied

the chamberpot into the wine.

Then they held me by

the feet and plunged me.

Head first... seven times into the

wine. I thought I was gonna die.

I couldn't get any air and...

...then I cried. Stop a

minute, stop a minute...

...So captain Prante said:

That's it, we'll baptize him Minute.

Won't you have a sip

of this, Mr. Grogard?

Perhaps I will.

I had champagne one Christmas.

Hmmm, it's nice,

I remember it now.

I'll never forget what

you did for me today.

Your father was a

vicar, yet you carry coal.

Oh, yes, for my uncle.

It doesn't bother me.

I'm used to it, if

that's what you mean.

I fell down stairs

last year with a sack...

...I had to walk for a

whole year with a stick.

Do you know a beautiful young

woman with chestnut brown hair?

There's lots of beautiful

women in this town.

There is Frederikke.

Does she have a red parasol?

Oh, no, you mean Miss Kielland,

she has one, the only one.

Grey-green eyes?

Yes...

So that was Dany Kielland.

Mr. Grogard, come when

you like. It was a real pleasure.

Don't forget, room 7.

A few days later Nagel was in the

market and he met a friend of mine.

My only friend I might

say, called Martha Gude.

If God blessed me

with another body...

...I would have asked

her to marry me long ago.

Her hair had turned

white from grief.

What that grief was,

is not for me to say.

...62,000 guilder

offer for the land.

Sara, Sara.

Your eyes are just like forget-me-nots.

Why weren't my shoes

polished this morning?

It's washing day today...

Vicar Karlsen.

Why did you hide your

face like that in the mud?

Have you had your new

coat yet from the inspector?

Not yet, but it'll come.

You draw too much

attention to yourself...

...look, they're

looking at us now.

They asked me about you.

Who's that blond woman?

Oh, that's Frederikke.

And the girl who's standing

starting, next to her?

That's Gudrun, her sister.

They're both daughters of the Bailiff.

I know everybody.

And the man with sleepy eyes and

the beard - who's looking this way...

That's Dr. Stenersen. He

got married just last year...

...that's his wife, next to him.

She's got asthma. That's why

she wears those thick mufflers.

There, that's Dany

Kielland, the one in black.

Oh, silly of me.

They're all in black.

Sir, I regret having to ask you

but would you mind not...

...sitting on that tombstone?

I'm asking you in the name

of the deceased's sister.

My humblest apologies...

Just as I expected...

...Nagel went off to the lonely

house were Martha lived.

Finding she was away from

home, he pushed open the door.

He was looking for her,

for traces of her past life.

He saw her when she was young.

You have her eyes,

but not her gentle face.

I wish I could help you.

I hope you will excuse

me for joining you like this...

...without being introduced

to you. Nagel is my name.

Mr. Nagel, you couldn't do

us a greater pleasure, really.

What a pity you don't

have your violin with you...

...you could've played

a little serenade for us.

I don't play the violin. I have an

old violin case, full of dirty laundry.

Then perhaps you'd

like to sing for us.

Mr. Nagel, I do hope you

haven't made any other plans.

We're having a little

gathering at our house, tonight...

You must come over, Mr. Nagel.

But I warn you, at our gatherings

there's a minimum of liquor...

...and a maximum of gossip.

Would it be all right if I wear these

clothes? I'm afraid I have nothing else.

Your husband is evidently

an experienced hunter.

No, everything here comes

from my side of the family.

No, I'm not mistaken...

I was wondering just...

...where have I seen Mr. Nagel before

tonight, but now it's just occurred to me...

...at that meeting the other day...

...you made a violent attack

on Mr. Gladstone's theories...

...that's interesting!

Attacking Gladstone,

not while I'm still alive!

There must be a

misunderstanding.

No, certainly not, I remember you

saying that Gladstone was a bigot.

Maybe our good friend Nagel

was drunk at that moment.

I'm quite aware, dear Inspector...

I owe you my deepest apologies...

...but this is not the

moment, do you think?

Indeed this is not

the right moment.

Sometimes the town

dignitaries invited Nagel home.

The ladies especially.

They were bored stiff with their

lives. They flirted openly with him...

My God, you're beautiful.

Nagel was shameless in

his wooing of Dany Kielland.

She tolerated his

advances, so that Nagel...

...Started to imagine

he was in love with her.

I had the feeling that it

would be a fine day today.

The first thing that I

saw yesterday morning...

...was a beautiful

lady who smiled at me.

Good health! A daydream like that I

wouldn't mind having one like that myself.

Oh, but I've experienced

more stranger things than that.

Please, excuse,

I'm talking too much.

But that's exactly what we want

Mr. Nagel, to hear you talking.

We here in the provinces are

not used to fine conversation.

Well, if you insist then...

I saw...

...a rocky landscape...

Why are you doing that?

So I won't soil your shoes

with the blood from my mouth.

But why do you want to kiss my

shoes, after all I've done to you?

To thank you for not making me

suffer more, you're very kind to me.

What pompous nonsense!

It gives me the creeps.

I knew it. I knew it.

The very moment you said

that he kissed the ground...

...I knew it was Minute.

You need sleep Mr. Nagel.

Are you eating properly?

That fellow Karlsen was

driven to an early death...

...by overly violent emotions.

I mean his nerves were

weak which was caused by...

...an unbalanced diet

and lack of exercise.

It's an emergency.

Excuse me. You must all

stay as long as you like...

You know Mr. Nagel, you really ought to

come with me this evening on my round.

It's really... eh...

terribly discouraging.

My patients behave

like neurotics...

They should all be

locked up. One by one.

I'll go with you.

Oh. Wonderful. And

then... the stench...

Anyway. Well good

night, everyone.

Oh, goodbye...

Goodbye...

Would you like to hear

some music, Mr. Nagel?

With pleasure.

Come on Jetta.

Have you noticed how Nagel stands

there, posing with that ring of his?

You've such a beautiful voice.

Mr. Nagel, I hope you will say

goodbye to us, before you leave.

And you have such

a sensitive touch.

May I accompany you home?

I shall behave like a gentleman.

Of course.

There's something

wrong with the Stenersens.

No children, no

worries, but yet...

You're so different from

other men, Mr. Nagel.

Why do you tell

all of this to me?

Because I want you

to notice me a little...

I haven't spoken a single word, all

evening that wasn't really meant for you.

Why is the inspector

so hostile towards you?

Oh, a small misunderstanding.

He knocked a glass of beer out

of my hands in the “Grec Molin”...

...and I was very

rude to him as well...

I even threatened him a little, but

he has reacted like a real gentleman.

I've heard quite

a different story.

From whom?

From Minute.

Minute is lying!

Why do you always

try to abase yourself?

May I speak frankly to you?

I had really reckoned on someone

else, telling you the true story...

...of that incident,

yesterday night.

I wanted to abase

myself at first...

in order that later in the true version

I would appear to you as a hero.

Why do you have

to be so calculating?

I don't understand you and

I've no wish to understand you.

This is the spot

where I first met you!

I shall never forget how

you looked that day...

...like a princess.

Yes...

But I'd like to tell you about

a true adventure I once had...

It won't take long.

I found myself in the country

walking for several hours...

Something kept me

from turning back...

...and drove me on...

Suddenly heard someone calling

my name, “Nagel... Johan Nagel”...

Suddenly the little

monster disappeared.

“Nagel... Johan Nagel...!”

Stunned I looked up... then...

I heard light footsteps...

I turned and saw a beautiful

woman coming down the stairs...

Come stranger.

I looked at her and a

happy feeling came over me.

Together we walked

down a flight of stairs.

Again I felt the presence

of the little monster.

I started dancing.

It was as though the

roof had been lifted.

All of a sudden I heard

heavenly music...

A myriad of tiny,

luminous figures...

...dazzling white,

seemed to be descending.

They touched my

face, my hands.

They had no eyes,

they were all blind.

The whole tower was filled

with blind angels singing...

The clock struck one.

Suddenly the angels

stopped singing.

I saw them arrange themselves

in formation and fly off.

The last one turned around, gazing at

me with its blind eyes before it departed.

That's the last

thing I remember.

This one blind angel that

turned around to look at me.

Then everything

became black again...

Mr. Nagel, may I thank

you for a beautiful evening.

I'll write to my fiancé

that I've met a gentleman...

...who's totally and completely

dissatisfied with everyone and everything.

And Lt. Hansen is a

most understanding man.

Goodnight.

The days went by.

Once more Nagel set

off for Martha's house.

He wanted to help. How.

That was the problem.

He thought up something.

Good afternoon. I'd like a word or

two with you. It won't keep you very long.

Nagel's my name. I'm staying at

the moment in the “Grec Molin”.

I'm a collector of antiques.

You may have heard of me.

I buy anything that's old,

and I pay very good prices.

I have no antiques.

Everyone says that. Only most

people don't know what they really have.

That chair for example,

could I look at it more closely?

Two of the legs are broken,

that's why I put it against the wall.

Yes, but is that important? May

I ask you where it comes from?

Somewhere abroad.

My father used to collect

chairs on his travels.

He was a sailor.

And you weren't

with him, I imagine.

Yes...

Good, what's your price?

Let me decide what's a fair price.

You'd ask an astronomical amount.

You might ask 300 guilders

and - excuse me for saying so -

...that's outrageous.

200 guilders, not a cent more.

If you're... if you really want

this chair for your collection...

...please have it. I

have no use for it.

I'll bring it to your

hotel if you like.

Such a proposal has never

been made to me before.

My dear Miss Gude, 200 guilders

and two days to think it over.

But give me your solemn

promise you won't sell it...

...to anyone else in the meantime...

Martha was confused.

She was not used to

people treating her well.

Nor am I, so I became very

embarrassed indeed, when Nagel...

...without telling me,

visited Hansen's, the tailor's.

The manager please.

Nobody has ever

been so good to me!

Could you make a jacket of that material

and have it delivered to Mr. Grogard?

Certainly...

...would you mind coming

over to the light, please.

Is it for Minute?

Yes, but it absolutely must

be ready tomorrow evening.

But the measurements.

Yes of course.

Minute has a very special...

Size...

Oh I'm sure, we can manage that.

I assume it's enough.

One day my friend was

visited by a figure from the past...

An elegant lady

from the big city...

Her name was Kamma.

She once had been

his greatest lover.

He told me later, that seeing

her again was like receiving...

...a blow between the eyes.

There is a lady downstairs

who wishes to speak to you.

Ah, and who may this lady be?

Sara, I think they are calling

for you downstairs.

Another glass, please.

- How do you like it?

- Very elegant.

I met the inspector, but

he gave nothing away.

“Where did you get

the new jacket?” he said.

He was testing

me out, wasn't he?

What did you say?

I said I mustn't... tell.

Now a jacket also

demands a new shirt.

This shirt is still good. I

know how to treat shirts.

I take them off at night.

I sleep naked, but

they last twice as long.

Lieutenant Hansen

promised me two of his shirts.

New trousers then, a

gift from me, agreed?

Little she-devil.

Kamma really loved him, I think.

She loved his money too.

I'm not surprised at all that you

take advantage of my being silent...

...to walk away.

You are quite right...

I've been drinking too much.

I'm very nervous.

Please, stay a little while.

I'm not going home

vet, Mr. Nagel.

What were you saying?

Oh yes, you were telling me

about that stag party, you know?

When they baptized you.

I really ought to have a little

party of my own, for a few friends.

You, you to begin

with... Dr. Stenersen...

...our student Quinn and

naturally the inspector.

Have I forgotten anyone?

You don't have to be afraid.

You will be treated

with the utmost respect.

I guarantee it personally.

Come closer, we're

being overheard.

Grogard...

What's your opinion

of Dany Kielland?

Wait, I'll tell you

what I think of her.

Dany Kielland is able to destroy

as many men as she wants.

That's my humble opinion.

She's so unattainable.

So beautiful and out of reach.

It must be so exquisite

to be destroyed by her.

But you've said...

Lies, Minute.

I'm hopelessly in love with her.

She's engaged to

someone else and lost to me.

I don't pity her for

being lost. I pity myself.

I could weep, Minute.

My friend wept...

...and I could not comfort him.

She could - Dany

Kielland apparently could...

Nagel latched onto her, he imagined this

frivolous and vain creature possessed...

...of all kinds of

charms and virtues...

...that existed only

in his fevered brain.

This is the fifth time we meet.

If only you knew, how I

looked forward to this moment.

I hope that you do not

regret the last time we met.

Forgive me for saying so, but I'm

not sure you're in your right mind.

Have you been drinking?

Yes, it's my birthday today.

Well, I think it's a shame that

you picked this way to celebrate it.

I'm a walking contradiction.

I've said nauseating things

about you, only out of love then.

I've tried to humiliate you,

only to console myself a little.

But I glow inside

when I see you.

I always take this path, hoping to

find your footprints in the wet sand.

I pray to the wind and the stars

to kiss you goodnight in my name.

You belong to another

man, I know. I tell myself...

...she's engaged, leave

her alone, she will go away...

...but then later on I say...

...she's still here,

she's not lost to me yet.

Say something, please.

You're losing a button, have

you anything to cut the thread?

Ah, what's that medal for?

Life-saving. Actually I

have no right to wear it.

Don't belittle yourself.

No, I bought it. Take a look,

the name has been scratched out.

I love you.

You're really crazy.

And you're driving me crazy

too. I don't want to see you again.

This can't be the

last rendezvous.

Say it isn't, even if

you don't mean it, really.

It is my birthday, isn't it?

Kindly go away now, please.

And don't you come

looking for me at the rectory.

The dog will bark all night and my father

has had to get up three times at least.

Good evening gentlemen, excuse me for

being late, I tore my hand on a fishhook.

Mr. Grogard has

a new outfit I see?

And the inspector

hasn't even turned up.

No, if you asked me to

choose now, between Tolstoy...

...Jesus Christ and Emmanuel Kant...

...I should find it extremely

difficult to answer.

Ha, ha, you couldn't even start.

What's Mr. Nagel's opinion?

Eh... eh, in my opinion...

...those who make the

most money are the greatest.

But you cannot deny that

Tolstoy is a great writer.

Tolstoy is terribly naive.

His whole teaching is not better

than of the Salvation Army's.

To your health, gentlemen.

Your air of

superiority is insulting.

Tolstoy has proved himself a true

friend of the poor and the oppressed.

Whoever attacks Tolstoy

will have to deal with me.

Giving away a few rubles, when you

have millions, is totally meaningless.

Some people can't help

giving money away. Why?

Because they get

satisfaction from it.

It brings tears to their eyes.

Do I have to admire that?

Nagel, you're a

reactionary, there.

I am, and always

will be, a liberal.

If by “liberal” you mean you judge

the whole world by scientific criteria...

...I'm afraid to confess that

I am indeed a reactionary.

Life's dreams, its mysteries, are

those greatest treasures of man...

Share with mankind...

There's one

solution for the world.

We shall kill ourselves.

Yes, I've thought like that,

but I haven't the courage...

Though my pistol

is always loaded.

What do you think, doctor?

Prussic acid 90%. Is that enough

to give mankind its send-off?

I tried it on an animal

once, it really works wonders.

Actually I ought to confiscate

that weapon of yours...

...but as you yourself say, you

haven't the courage to use it.

Grogard.

Dear friend, you are spending

your vacation writing a novel?

You must have a fancy for

literature in that warm heart of yours.

Please, allow me to recite the

following masterpiece for you.

“'May the steel of your blade

cut as sharply, as your final no.”

Guy de Maupassant.

When he felt relaxed, Nagel

was the cheeriest of fellows...

His birthday party

was a joyous affair.

A fine jacket like that

deserves a waistcoat.

Try it, take it home with

you, you may keep it.

All right, let's smash

all the glasses now.

Is that you Grogard?

What time is it?

It's not eight o'clock

yet, Mr. Nagel.

I found these things

in your waistcoat.

I hope you didn't drink

the poison, did you?

No, I didn't touch it.

Not even tasted it?

I promise.

I hope your hand

gets better soon.

He had hurt his hand. I know

where he got it. I'm not a fool.

For last night I had not heard

Dany Kielland's dog bark once!

I'm not really educated enough to

understand the mind of someone like Nagel.

So I stood by and looked on

helplessly as he was torn between...

...the most conflicting emotions.

I could see that Nagel was

trying to run away from himself.

He, who was so subtle and

clearsighted in other things...

...how could he

think that possible.

Even I know that I cannot escape

from this deformed infant's body of mine.

Mr. Nagel, you've a visitor, Miss

Kielland is waiting downstairs.

What a lovely surprise this is.

I had the feeling today

would be a lovely day for me.

Our dog is dead.

Really?

The housekeeper

found him this morning.

I must admit that I never

really cared for that dog.

Forgive me for saying so,

but that creature's expression...

...was particularly disgusting.

He looked as if the whole

suffering of mankind was your fault.

He bit me as well.

Mr. Nagel you should be ashamed.

You promised me to

stop this stupid behavior.

Mr. Nagel, you must stop

this. I love somebody else.

Well, is that clear?

I am a scoundrel.

If you wish you can

accompany me home, now.

I once had a friend who was

hopelessly in love with a certain Clara.

But Clara didn't want to

have anything to do with him.

She also had a sister, a

monstrous creature, a hunchback.

One day my friend

suddenly fell in love with...

Why do you always do your best

to keep the conversation going?

Why are you so nervous?

Show me your hand.

Does it hurt?

Now, listen to me. I hope you

never suffer as I am suffering now.

Scoundrel!

Don't you recognize

me? Johan Nagel.

I see you haven't

sold the chair yet.

No, there was

another person, a lady...

...but you can

have it for nothing.

Now, Miss Gude, please

don't make me angry.

Next thing you'll ask

500 guilders for it.

What sort of game

are you playing?

I'm not playing any.

Please give me three guilders.

That's settled then.

Forgive me, please.

Do you know Minute?

Please don't talk

to me about him.

Did you know he is

hopelessly in love with you?

Oh, but we've known each

other since we were children.

I'm not surprised then,

but he's got courage.

At his age and

deformed as he is.

Please.

You shake your head.

So unreliable women are.

You've given me too much.

Are you starting that again?

You give me too much.

Well, give it back.

Would you do me the honor...

...tonight of coming with

me to the fancy fair in town?

A bit of music, fun,

will do you good.

I've got nothing to wear.

Now you've money enough.

You can buy what you want.

Perhaps. Thank

you for asking me.

It's been years since.

The day of the annual

fancy fair came around.

I was really nervous, I had to appear

in one of the tableaux as the god Pan.

When Dany Kielland went off to dress up

for her appearance as a heathen goddess...

...I saw Nagel follow

her with burning eyes.

Excuse me, please.

Why are you so interested in a

coat, when its owner leave you cold?

A little investigation.

I'm beginning to distrust you...

...so that even your broad

shoulders appear suspicious.

That's the reason I wanted to see if you

wore shoulder-paddings inside your coat.

You're quite right.

I am a scoundrel.

I give cigars out to

little boys in the streets.

I annoy the chambermaid

of “The Grec Molin”.

And I've a disease that's

incurable. I'm quite ridiculous.

Well, for once

you're telling the truth.

You're not leaving your

charming guest alone for too long?

You know very well I only

came tonight to see you.

Mr. Nagel, you're really

beginning to bore me.

I tell you, I love my fiancé,

and I have no intention...

...of breaking my engagement.

Miss Kielland, since you

won't be seeing me again...

...would you write to your fiancé...

...to remind him that he promised

Mr. Grogard two woolen shirts.

You are very patient.

Are you enjoying

yourself a little?

Really...

Isn't that beautiful?

What do you mean?

Why? The forest all bloodred.

So don't move anymore.

Oh. Thank you.

Oh. I must go home

now. It's already so late.

What a pity now.

Oh no. It's out of the question.

I cannot stay any longer.

Then Mr. Nagel will be

delighted to accompany you.

No, I cannot be seen with

Mr. Nagel. Especially on the streets.

He has such peculiar ideas.

Just recently he intended to make a

rendezvous with me in the churchyard.

The churchyard?

What an original idea.

Tell me, Mr. Nagel,

what was your idea?

Oh come on, Dany.

You know perfectly

well Miss Kielland.

Mr. Nagel even poisoned our dog.

...and by the way...his name is

really Simonsen, just Simonsen.

May I.

Bravo...

Good lord. You

do play after all.

He likes a good joke.

I'm only an amateur.

Thank you for inviting me to

take a drink with you in your hotel.

But I was on duty.

Thank you nevertheless.

I had tears in my eyes.

Not because he

played so beautifully...

...but because in the music...

...I could hear my friend's

wounded soul crying out.

May I come in?

Isn't it rather late?

I must talk to you.

May I hold your hand a while?

Do you also think

I'm always lying?

Oh no. Of course not.

And what if I told you that I

love you. Please do understand.

I am asking you

to become my wife...

...not my mistress,

but my lawful wife.

I know what you're thinking, you're

a couple of years older than me...

...does that matter?

If you were 30 years older than

me, it would make no difference...

...only you don't

think it's possible?

Yes, no. Let's not

talk about it anymore.

You think that I'm

joking, don't you? Not that.

Is it because of Minute?

Oh no.

I'll always be good to you.

I'll buy a house for us,

a piece of land.

I'm an agronomist... you see,

I have very strong

hands, we shall always be together.

Yes...

We'll go fishing together

and swimming in the brook.

Would you like that?

Yes...

Minute might be very jealous.

I cannot help that.

I'll think about you all night.

Will you come and

see me tomorrow morning?

Yes. Tomorrow is good.

Shall I wear the same dress?

Yes...

It's raining, you'll get wet.

One thing more. You didn't

think I was rich did you?

No...

Mr. Nagel, you must forgive

me, I thought it over carefully.

I know I promised you yesterday,

but I'm afraid it's not possible.

Not possible?

I do not love you enough.

Do I suddenly repulse you?

It's not possible.

Dany. What did

Miss Kielland tell you?

I didn't say Miss

Kielland had been here.

Listen. Trust me.

I won't deceive you.

I'll come back tomorrow.

No...

Don't you want to see me again?

I... I'd like to see you again...

...after you're married...

...after your house is furnished.

I mean, I would like to

come and work for you...

...as your maid...

...that's what I want.

The cruel way she rejected him

wounded Nagel to the marrow.

Dany. Like a she-devil,

had blackened Nagel's name.

Dany. Like a serpent, had spat her

venom into Martha's credulous heart.

And so Nagel's last chance of

attaining happiness and peace was gone.

Then something happened I had seen coming

from the moment I first met Johan Nagel.

Dany I hate you.

Goddamned!

Who's been at the

bottle again? Who?

What a beautiful day.

Yes, isn't it?

Do you want to speak to me?

I want to ask a favor.

It's embarrassing.

I'm not sure you

want to do it for me.

I'd be only too

pleased to help you.

I've a brief note for Martha Gude,

would you kindly take it to her?

I think you know where she is.

Martha Gude?

I'm really very grateful

to you for being so kind.

There is no hurry.

Who put those

flowers over there?

I did sir.

New curtains, the

windows cleaned.

Come here.

This is for you.

What for?

For your lovely shoulders.

So, you're back at

your old job again, I see.

And up to your old tricks.

You put water

in my little bottle.

I wanted to do you a good turn.

A good turn. A good turn!?

Do you know what I think? You

and your goodness. You're a deceiver!

You let everyone walk over you.

You dance for pennies. You

sleep naked to save on your shirts.

You're like Martha Gude.

You're two of a kind...

You disgust me. I've

had my eye on you...

Where were you on

the 6th of December?

You've no idea why

I'm asking you that.

Because Karlsen was murdered on

the 6th of December and I suspect...

...that you murdered him.

Grogard, come back...

...I don't know what I'm saying...

Please...

Nagel shut himself

up in his room.

He, who could be

so vital and brave...

He, who had given me courage

in the hours I most needed it.

He sat there torturing himself

for hours until he was ill.

Yes, let me see...

...how much is it in all?

Oh, there's not the

slightest hurry Mr. Nagel.

No...

That's all I have.

It's not enough, is it?

No Mr. Nagel, it's not enough.

Look for yourself.

In that case, Mr. Nagel, I

shall have to call the police.

Thousands.

Oh, I understand it now.

You wanted to see

if I could take a joke.

Yes, I sometimes

play practical jokes.

Thank you, Mr. Nagel.

May I have a grog with brandy?

But you have a fever.

Don't you want to get undressed?

Undress, in the

middle of the day?

Then tomorrow the whole town

will know I've got undressed.

And laugh!

I'll go fetch a doctor.

No, they'll give me

medicine that'll kill me.

Karlsen. It's hot here.

I have a fishhook in my throat.

Sara, what's this

hole I'm buried in?

The hypocrites.

Shall I get that grog

with brandy for you?

No, then tomorrow the whole

town will know I had a brandy.

Let me go, let me go.

You'll never drown, you're too

good a swimmer, you'll come up.

I heard someone calling me.

I had to do something.

And for the first

time in his life...

...Minute, the laughingstock,

the dwarf, hit back.

I was sentenced to

three years imprisonment.

Not for a single moment

did I feel any remorse.

Sometimes I see them

walking in the town together...

...the two women who were

responsible for his death.

The white haired one, who

killed him out of good faith...

...and the other

out of pure frivolity.

Both women remained unmarried.

I keep thinking again and again

about what they told me about Nagel.

A lot of it was very new to me.

I didn't hear any

of it. I left the room.

He always walked here.

Who?

It's slippery. Would

you like to take my arm?

Yes, but you hold on to me.