Quisling: The Final Days (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Inspired by the priest Peder Olsen

diary entries.

There is something unfathomable

in every human being.

Prime Minister Quisling speaks.

Norwegian women and men.

A few days ago, the message went out

went out over the world that Adolf Hitler

the Fhrer of the German Reich

and Chancellor of the Reich,

had died a hero's death

at his command post in Berlin

during their struggle to prevent

the Bolsheviks' destruction

of his homeland, and of Europe.

With Adolf Hitler, one of the

the historical figures passed away

who create eras

in human history.

But if Europe does not go under,

the future will surely come to realise

that the European cultural civilization

was saved by Adolf Hitler.

Through National Socialism he made

Germany into such a powerful bulwark

that it could break

the power of the red deluge.

The great tragedy of his life was that,

despite all his efforts

failed to make peace

between England and Germany.

A cooperation that had secured world peace

and neutralised Bolshevism.

I will not betray our cause

or surrender the country

to lawlessness and Bolshevism.

Thank you.

Were you listening?

To the speech?

- It sounded like we have surrendered.

- Not at all.

And Berlin is not giving up on us easily.

I am trying to negotiate with Nygaardsvold

in London for an interim government.

And if that's not possible?

I don't want to hear about

defeat or surrender!

You can do anything you want.

You are Kapitan Quisling.

You will succeed.

Hooray!

We have 30,000 men under our command,

they have 4,000. We can still fight.

Vidka!

The dentist barely finished

before he drove me here.

Now he is going to the Eastern Railway.

He flees the country

without so much as a suitcase.

Oh my God!

You said they would not surrender.

- Don't panic.

- What are they doing here?

It might be a good idea to pack a bag.

Just the essentials, in case...

Packing? What about London

and the negotiations?

Maria, please. Please take it easy.

Ask the kitchen to prepare food.

This will take a while.

And the fairytale night that lowers,

lowering the dream on our soil.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Now all hell has broken loose.

- We should have left while we could.

- What do you mean?

They run around like headless chickens.

Screaming.

It was a bunch of drunken German seamen.

They were sh**ting wildly

with automatic weapons.

I barely made it here in one piece.

- And Milorg has not been spoken to.

- Have we been set up?

No, it seems to be an internal power

struggle between Milorg and the police.

- The new national police

chief is completely rabid.

- The capitulation is valid from midnight.

We just heard it on the radio.

In that case,

there is nothing more we can do.

Nonsense. I'll go there myself.

I don't advise this.

It's dangerous out there.

They are sh**ting. You can't go anywhere

without guarantees of safe passage.

And I don't think the

police will give you that.

Surely there must be some civilized

people left in this country!

Yes, good day.

Vidkun Quisling, Prime Minister.

Yes. Thank you for your time, Mr. Arntzen.

We will be in touch to clear up

some misunderstandings related to this...

That's right.

Yes.

Absolutely.

But listen:

We are in dialogue with

military authorities.

This can develop into a...

No.

I see. I see.

If you don't know Foss,

that's your business.

He stood in my living room

and offered detention at Holmenkollen.

He would guarantee...

I see.

Yes.

That you call me a criminal

I consider it very...

I have worked so hard

for this country, I have no...

No.

Yes.

Yes.

Hello?

He gave us a grace period

until six o'clock tomorrow morning.

And if we refuse?

Then they come for us by force.

The...

pick us up by force.

I heard you, Vidka,

on the phone with the police chief.

It is over.

No, I'm going down to the police station

and make a statement.

- I have to go. They are waiting.

- They're waiting.

- Wait!

Can I have your name, please?

- Where is Commissioner Arntzen?

- Your personal data.

- I demand to speak to Arntzen.

- He had.

Occupation?

- What is your profession?

- I'm just going to look in your pockets.

Wait a minute. I can, uh...

I'm not getting arrested.

I have reached an agreement

with the Chief of Police.

I am being taken to a house

at Holmenkollen.

The wedding ring.

- What?

- Give us your wedding ring.

- No. Is it really necessary?

- Yes. You must hand it over.

I have been Norway's Head of State

for five years.

I expect to be treated with respect,

not as a criminal.

QUISLING: THE FINAL DAYS

This way.

Mr. Olsen,

the Bishop will see you now.

Yes. I'm sorry.

Thank you very much.

- Peder Olsen. It was a long time ago.

- It's been a long time. Hello, Mr. Olsen.

I must thank you. Without your efforts

the w*r could have been much darker.

I am actually more interested in peace.

Won't you sit down?

They say that you are

a good judge of character.

Really? I guess I don't know.

Vidkun Quisling.

Yes?

He is, as you may know, in custody

at 19 Moller Street pending trial.

A very important process.

Can you imagine being

his soul mourner?

- I? For Quisling?

- Yes.

Isn't that Traaen,

who is the prison chaplain over there?

He has done a good job so far,

but they no longer seem to be pulling even.

Quisling is, perhaps not surprisingly,

a somewhat complicated figure.

- In what way?

- Well, what can I say?

The last time I saw him

he threatened to execute me.

Now he wants me to

be his spiritual advisor.

- But can he just demand that?

- I politely declined.

But I think it is important

that we as a church contribute.

In what way, do you mean?

We are a wounded nation.

People are calling for the death penalty.

More bad blood, more hatred.

At worst, we make the man a martyr.

If we can get him to confess

it could be a start to reconciliation.

Even for the rest of us,

whatever the verdict is.

A step in the right direction.

I really don't know if I am

right person for such a task.

I am a hospital chaplain.

I have no experience with criminals.

Reconciliation is neither easy

or painless.

Anyone who takes the task lightly

is not being sincere.

The fact that you have doubts

only speaks in your favour.

Here are your passes and other documents.

You will understand that you

should keep this to yourself,

for security reasons.

Can I tell my wife?

As I said, Olsen,

we keep this to ourselves.

This was stupid.

Don't laugh your a*s off...

It's probably the kind you pull.

- There you go.

- You succeeded right away.

Here it's just radio noise.

I think we're going over to the...

Shouldn't you...

Quisling denies having had

improper contact with the Germans.

He had been in Copenhagen

on the 5th and 6th of April.

- It's from the remand hearing.

- He won't be released before

the trial, will he?

On its withdrawal of the Norwegian

government's mobilisation order.

He replied that he had acted

for the good of the Norwegian people.

For our good.

He must be stark raving mad.

"I am a martyr," cried Quisling.

"I was put in a terrible situation

where I was forced"...

- What now?

- I can't hear any more.

- What is a martyr?

- Why don't you go out and play?

First he executes Norwegians to save

his own skin, and now he's a martyr?

- He's just trying to defend himself.

- He seems proud of what he has done.

He is crazy. A beast.

Heidi, we are all human beings.

We are all children of God.

- Can't you put the sermon away?

- The sermon?

- You have to be allowed

to be angry, right?

- Yes, but it probably won't help.

That man is worse than the Germans.

He knew what he was doing.

He was one of us.

I and the children ran away from the bombs

while he welcomed the enemy.

He sacrificed our freedom

for his own power.

I want him on his knees.

On his knees with his arms above his head.

He will ask for forgiveness.

Otherwise they might as well sh**t him.

I'll get the coffee.

I can hardly believe it.

I have been walking for so long

with a lump in my stomach.

For fear that something could happen

at any moment.

I kind of think

that if I let go of it...

the air-raid sirens or the Gestapo.

- A nurse who will tell you that...

but you.

All that...

All that's over now, right?

- Yes.

- It's over.

I know that. I do know that.

It is allowed to be happy.

You deserve it.

Father?

But from them we never

get a moment's peace.

- Follow me.

- Thank you.

Go out the door,

across the courtyard and into the prison.

- You're going up there.

- Thank you.

The cell door should be open.

If he hangs himself

we can't sh**t the b*stard.

I'm sorry.

Good day, my name is Peder Olsen.

I am a hospital... I am a priest.

I asked for Berggrav.

He was unfortunately unkempt.

"Unseemly"? Oh, you.

- I have the New Testament with me.

- Thank you. I got one

from the previous one.

- But thanks anyway.

- Yes, you got it.

But there can never be

too much of a good thing?

- It was a joke. I'm sorry, mister.

- You come in here and make jokes?

I don't mean to be rude.

Was your name Olsen?

But I don't need a spiritual advisor.

- But you wanted to talk to Berggrav?

- Yes, and you are not him.

No, I am here

as a representative of the Church.

There are many people in your situation

who want to talk to someone.

Maybe I can help you sort out

your thoughts a bit and find peace.

- Find peace?

- If you wish.

No, thank you. Do you know why?

I am an innocent man.

I have no quarrel with the Church,

God or the nation.

Will you say hello to

Berggrav for me and say

- That I wanted to talk to him

about the trial, not about my soul?

I would really appreciate that.

Excuse me, but do you know the

the story of the publican and the Pharisee?

The Gospel of Luke 18:9-14.

Even the youngest children know that.

Isn't the message getting through?

It's about being humble

and admitting your mistakes.

The Pharisee, the orthodox,

looks down at the audience.

He is just a debt collector.

An ordinary man with a dirty job.

"God, I thank you that I am not

like other people"

"robbers, criminals, fornicators,

or like that publican."

That's right. Farisen is bragging about

how virtuous he is, while the audience...

Beats his chest and says:

"God, have mercy on me, sinner."

And what did the audience

member mean by that?

- Are you asking me about that?

- Yes.

I thought you were the priest.

The point is not just that the audience

asks God for forgiveness for their sins.

Nor does he take forgiveness for granted.

He does the hardest thing,

he takes responsibility

for what he has done. He repents.

He acknowledges it before God.

And therefore he is forgiven.

Therefore, it is the publican

who is closest to God of the two.

And then the question is:

Which one of us do you think

is the Pharisee, and who is the audience?

- What do you think?

- I think you have been given a task.

A mission from the Honourable Berggrav,

who does not condescend to come himself

to make me repent.

Is that not so?

So that you and the Church

can wash your conscience clean.

That, if anything,

is pride worthy of a Pharisee!

But I have nothing to regret

and will not confess.

Neither for you nor your Sunday

school theology even if you

drag me through Calvary!

Everyone has something

to answer for, right?

All right, then!

What does the pastor have to confess?

Now we are not here to talk about me.

Now you'll have to excuse me.

I have to work.

By the way, the Pharisees were

very scrupulous.

It is the history books that have given

them a bad and undeserved reputation.

They were idealists, just like you, Olsen.

Well, that went really well!

Peder!

- Sorry to bother you at work.

- That's fine.

I was just going to have lunch.

Let's go inside.

Let me see the access card.

- Take it easy.

- They're going to be lifted!

Things are boiling a bit under the surface.

What is it like in here now that

everything has been turned upside down?

Now that the guards have become prisoners,

you mean?

There is less paperwork.

And it's nice not to have SS

in my cell when I work.

- It's Quisling, right?

- What?

Of course he did. He asked you first.

Yes, I could not.

Not after four years of pastoral care

for the condemned in here.

I am in contact with the families of

those who were ex*cuted

by the Germans here.

For me it was...

It didn't feel right.

- So I recommended you.

- Should I thank you for that?

I knew you were the best.

I have no experience

with criminals or people on death row.

I tried the publican and the Pharisee.

I think I offended him.

He is a fourth generation priest's son.

So he was quite... became very...

You once told me

that spiritual care is just a conversation.

- It should go both ways.

- I don't think Quisling

would agree with that.

Listen to what he has to say.

Keep the conversation going.

If this is not possible threaten

with a bone crusher or a baton.

Any man can leave this battle...

with a clear conscience.

What a great job. I can't believe she could

do this in the dark closet.

It was nice of you that you gave

them yarn and knitting needles.

- I'm sure that calmed your nerves.

- I don't know.

We didn't ask.

Didn't take the time to get to know them.

At least we gave them a place to hide.

We did everything we could.

These labour camps in Germany

that are written about.

There is talk of several thousand dead.

We don't know how they got there.

It was two elderly people.

What would they do in a labour camp?

- They were probably detained,

don't you think?

- Do you think they took age into account?

The Red Cross gets people

home all the time.

I just think it takes time

to get an overview.

- Where do you get all that optimism?

- You...

Heidi.

I have a good friend up there.

Do you ever have doubts?

I choose to believe.

Well, we have to.

Mr. Quisling?

I didn't mean to interrupt.

- Then it was you and me again.

- I thought I was clear last time.

It seems we got off to a bad start,

I regret that.

My wife has baked serina cakes.

The diet here might be a bit one- sided.

There is nothing wrong with the food.

Herring and potatoes,

that's good home cooking.

And if not? Are you being treated well?

- Yes, of course. Just fine.

- Yes.

- Yes.

You look a little pale.

Help yourselves.

Are you trying to be my friend?

Judging by the mood out there

there's not much of that going on.

- You're joking again.

- Yes.

Have you seen your wife?

- Not since I was arrested.

- It must be difficult.

I can take it.

She is the one I worry about.

If I had not been able to talk to my wife,

Heidi, I probably would have gone crazy.

- What? I am in my right mind.

- Yes, I'm not claiming otherwise.

The psychiatrists say in all seriousness

that everyone in the Nasjonal Samling,

just everyone

are permanently insane,

or at least weak.

The so-called investigators want me to

to admit that I'm some kind of gold digger.

A spineless Peer Gynt figure

who has worked solely for his own benefit.

But you have not.

I have been fighting for my country

for five long years.

Day and night.

- Well, look at that. You don't believe me.

- Yes, I believe you mean what you say.

But you also received

some benefits from the occupation?

You think I was fighting for medals.

Titles, salutes and other nonsense!

The armour of the weak man. I could not

not have cared less, ask my wife.

I have acted according to my convictions

and I am not ashamed.

May I sit down?

You met Hitler, didn't you?

What do you mean?

What was he like? As a person?

He was passionate.

You can say what you like about the result,

but he was a man who believed in something.

- You can't say that about everyone.

- Is there anything you admire?

Faith? Of course you do.

- But I myself hold certainty higher.

- Certainty?

You cannot base, as Hitler did,

your policy on faith.

You have to know.

Take the time to find sources.

Veta!

All my life I have been working

on my philosophy.

Universalism.

The real truth.

I have given myself the task

to light a candle for humanity.

Finding the true vision of life.

In accordance with both science

and experience.

I don't expect you to...

a simple prison chaplain,

should be able to understand it.

It is certainly interesting

with this universalism.

But what we should really strive for

are the words and deeds of Christ.

Love.

Universalism is much bigger.

It deals with...

Mr. Quisling. Greater than love?

What is greater than love?

Can the Reverend say hello

to my wife, Maria?

Just make sure she's okay.

Of course.

Yes, thank you.

Could you bring more writing paper?

We're running out.

Until the next time you come.

See you then.

- You're welcome.

- Thank you very much.

Is everything alright?

- Have you gotten him to apologise yet?

- What?

Have you made him apologise?

Does he regret it?

That's all I had to take with me.

It's my whole life now.

It must be a transition.

If it hadn't been for Mrs. Prytz apartment,

I would have been standing in the street.

- How is he?

- Under the circumstances, he is fine.

- I'm sorry. Would you like some?

- No, thanks. I don't drink.

Is there anything you want to say to him?

I can convey a greeting, if you like.

Tell me I'm fine.

That I am strong.

Strong and optimistic.

I am not interested in politics.

So drink with me.

How did you meet?

- What have you heard?

- No, I'm just asking.

We met in Ukraine. My home country.

He was very famous.

"Kapitan Quisling."

He saved thousands of lives during the

the Great Famine. Did you know that?

No.

See.

See here.

Ukraine.

Russia.

Thousands of them. Jews too.

- Was he working for Nansen?

- Nansen

Nansen didn't get any dirt

under his fingernails.

But Vidkun...

I saw him for the first time

through the window of the office.

I realised it right away.

He was capable of anything.

He would be my destiny.

I left everything for him.

My mother...

SS-VICTIMS

BURIED IN THE TRANDUM WOODS

Hi.

- I was almost getting worried.

- Yes?

- Yes.

- Are you hungry?

- Yes.

- I saved some for you.

- Thank you.

- Have you been drinking alcohol?

- Just half a glass.

A small celebration at the hospital.

- With the deaconesses?

- No, a peace bowl with one of the doctors.

- A peace bowl?

- Yes. It's not the end

of the world, is it?

I was in the hospital.

Am I not told where I am going?

I need to know where we are going, right?

- They can't be Norwegian.

- As Norwegian as you and me.

This was m*rder.

Of defenceless people, Mr. Quisling.

This is part of what the accusations

against you are based on.

- How many have we found here?

- Six, so far.

- And over there?

- Eight, we think. It is difficult to say.

Riisns?

Guide?

Arvid?

Hello?

Can you turn off the lights, please?

Thank you.

- Can't you sleep?

- No, it's...

the lamp that...

Shall I tell you why you can't sleep?

This place is haunted.

The boys they m*rder*d at Trandum.

Listen.

Do you hear?

It is my brother.

They are coming.

Vidkun...

Vidkun...

The trial will start soon.

You will be taken to Akershus prison.

I see.

Just a moment.

Henrik Bergh, Mr. Quisling's lawyer.

Why didn't anyone say he was being moved?

- Security. It is closer to the court.

- I don't accept this.

My client is in poor health, and it is

cold and damp in there.

- That's fine, Bergh.

- Can I have a moment with my client?

- Can I have a moment with my client?

- You're welcome.

- It's only for a few weeks.

- Yes.

The psychiatrists have decided

that you are sane.

Of course.

But there has been no

a thorough evaluation.

The decision was a foregone conclusion.

I think we should appeal.

- Why?

- Everything must go right.

You do understand that you

risk the death penalty?

It is in your interest to argue

that sometimes you could not think clearly.

But that was not the case.

I could think clearly.

I understand that.

But the gap between your

perception of reality

and that of the court is a problem.

So, madness is a better defence

than the truth?

I based my decisions

on my competence.

On my knowledge

and my strategic assessments.

Surely you must be able to

to understand it?

That's your job! Damn it!

And besides, I am in excellent shape!

I have never felt stronger!

No touching.

No...

You look well.

You have to get Bergh to let me testify.

Why won't he let me...

It was my decision.

I don't want to put you through that.

No touching! That's what I said.

- She's not listening.

- Yes, you said that.

Your comrade is here.

Is it you?

- You're going to shave me?

- No, it's not.

I just wanted to wish you good luck today.

Because it is a big day.

- I look like a lazzarone.

- No, you don't. It's a nice suit.

Tell me, do you also think I'm crazy?

You actually seem remarkably healthy,

Mr. Quisling. Despite the situation.

Good day to you. Good. Pass.

The Court is in session.

Vidkun Abraham Quisling.

Proceedings have been opened

by the public prosecutor Annus Schjdt

by order of the Chancellor of Justice.

It reads:

"Major Vidkun Abraham Quisling,"

"born on the 18th of July 1887,

is hereby indicted before the

Court of Appeal of the Swiss Confederation"

"for breach of the following provisions:"

"Having attempted to surrender Norwegian

or Allied troops to the enemy."

"Having attempted to surrender

fortifications or other

defence posts to the enemy"

"or destroy or render them harmless."

"Having induced Norwegian or Allied

men of w*r to go over to the enemy"

"or incited them to mutiny

or other treachery."

Can the defendant stand up?

Do you plead guilty on one,

several or all charges?

I plead not guilty.

On all counts.

The only thing I wanted

was to protect my people

from Bolshevism.

Yes, you were in Russia.

My beloved Russia changed.

Turned into hell on earth.

People were starving.

Mothers

for their own children.

It was a betrayal,

a betrayal of their own people.

And here at home, so-called

responsible politicians sat and applauded.

It spread like a cancerous tumour.

I saw it as my calling to stop it.

- You saw it as a calling?

- Yes.

As a priest,

you should understand what I mean.

It's not quite the same thing.

Why not?

It was a task from God.

You believe you are called by God?

The prosecutor can prove

that the accused was guilty of

of treason before the 9th of April 1940.

He conspired with Hitler,

his foreign policy advisor Rosenberg

and Germany's Grand Admiral Raeder.

The plan was to overthrow

the government with the promise

that the King would accept it.

The 9th of April coup was part of a plan

motivated by cynical opportunism.

As a legislator during the occupation years

he was guilty of oppression,

censorship, dictatorship

and the Fhrer principle.

He should also be held responsible

for the m*rder of police secretary Eilifsen,

who was sentenced to death

under the unjust law of the accused.

The same can be said of the

fourteen Norwegian patriots

who were ex*cuted in retaliation

for the liquidation of State Police

Commissioner Marthinsen in 1944.

Quisling's responsibility

for the fate of the Norwegian Jews

also appears to be larger

than first assumed.

Finally, I would like to draw the Court's

attention to the charges of theft

embezzlement, receiving stolen

goods and breach of trust.

The defendant argues that this

is a matter of the right of

disposal of the Head of State.

To this we would reply that Vidkun Quisling

has never been head of state in Norway

in accordance with Norwegian

law and regulations.

Do you wish to make a statement?

For five years I fought

for Norwegian interests,

for the Norwegian people,

Norwegian values, Norwegian neutrality,

jammed between the Germans'

abhorrent views, and Terboven's pigs.

And then Nygaardsvold, on the other side,

who encouraged good Norwegians to terror.

Trandum was terrible.

- But no one would have had to die

if people had just cooperated!

But you signed the death warrants.

You could have pardoned people.

Such are the conditions of w*r,

the cruelty of w*r.

You have to give the Germans something.

Save ten and just...

...offer one.

So it was a kind of horse-trading?

Call it what you will.

It is no secret that I considered

that England threatened

Norwegian neutrality.

It had resulted in a German invasion

with subsequent carnage on Norwegian soil.

I wanted Norway to escape

Poland's fate.

I am the saviour of Norway.

You don't understand it now,

but maybe in the future you will.

But how could the Germans save us

without occupation?

The idea was a peace operation

with Hitler's blessing.

He wanted to save Norway's neutrality.

To save Norway, you wanted Germany to

to pre-empt England and occupy us?

- No, I left that to fate.

- Fate?

Yes, it was fate that made

that I became the man who saved Norway?

This is not just my business.

It is the business of the

entire Norwegian population,

as the future will show.

No one can take away my belief in my cause!

I know that I have saved

both Norway and the Nordic countries!

We will get nowhere if you

keep repeating that you are a saviour.

Mr. Chairman,

may we ask for a short break?

To be perfectly honest, I find it

it's hard to understand him.

No one knows my husband.

No?

The pastor has a duty

of confidentiality, right?

Yes.

- We are not married.

- What?

Not on paper. Vidkun was married

to someone else when he met me.

Don't look at me like that.

I didn't know anything.

- What happened?

- She refused to get a divorce.

So of course no one wanted to marry us.

We tried in many places.

In Russia, at the legation in Paris.

In Norway, she was...

...already presented to the family.

- It was disgusting.

- And yet you became a couple.

Vidkun thought we could live together

all three of us.

We could raise her

as our foster daughter.

The woman he was already married to?

She was just a child, seventeen years old.

Far too young for him.

And you accepted that?

I was in love.

But it didn't work out.

He sent her to Paris.

What did his family say about it?

He explained that it was a formality.

- He has to save her.

- He betrayed her.

Russia was hell in those days.

He got her out.

I see. So he betrayed his wife

and called it a rescue mission?

That is exactly what he

is doing now with Norway.

You knew Mr. Quisling

during your school days?

Yes, we were close friends in high school.

- How was your impression of him?

- Very good.

I have the best impression of him

and his personality.

His loyal friendship.

He was good at school,

had a great capacity for learning.

He had interests

that boys of that age don't usually have.

He was particularly good at math.

And he was kind.

Helped us with our homework.

We all looked up to him.

- A good friend, that is.

- I think so.

I speak for all of us schoolmates

from that time.

But there is one thing, one character trait

- Which I think I would like to emphasise

and which may be of interest to

the psychologist.

Basically, Vidkun was very shy.

So much so that he

probably suffered from it.

He was often alone

and had a clear inferiority complex

despite the fact that he was

a very knowledgeable person.

Together with us

he was a natural.

But with strangers he was

very buttoned up and withdrawn.

Alone, I would say.

- I turned it to my advantage.

- Is advantage?

Yes, I decided to be the best.

I did not go to parties,

didn't go out with girls.

I also graduated

with the best grades in school history.

So you chose not to have friends

in order to beat them?

Of course I had friends,

but my other interests took more time.

To be the best?

- Are you scratching for me?

- No.

I understand what you are looking for.

You try to put me in my place.

Claiming that I have delusions of grandeur.

What I have sacrificed, I have sacrificed

for others, not for myself.

As a priest, you probably understand what

it means to have something to fight for.

To do good.

Well, maybe so. But now there are many

who believe that you have not done good.

Of course.

It is the winner who writes history.

The suffering is no less. Norway

was a peaceful country that was attacked.

A free people were forced

into a dictatorship.

Are you not responsible for that?

I took responsibility!

I made sure that there was no

a bloodbath on Norwegian soil.

Stalin stood at the border.

When the Germans came, we had no choice.

- But a coup d'tat?

To overthrow the king...

- They fled!

All of them! They betrayed their people!

Like frightened chickens!

Someone had to take responsibility!

Later, I met him again,

just before the outbreak of w*r.

We had dinner together

and it was nice.

But then we started discussing

Norway's situation,

and then everything changed.

That's when I started to doubt

about his sanity.

Now he had preposterous fantasies

- On armed communist forces

around the country.

Bolsheviks who stood ready for revolution

at a given signal.

He claimed that a number

of government members

received money from Russia

to finance the revolution in Norway.

To be honest.

- Then I thought he had gone

completely insane.

In any case,

he had changed very much.

Thank you.

I followed my inner compass.

Now they want to judge me for actions

whose consequences I could not foresee.

Make me the scapegoat

for this whole horrible w*r.

But my intentions were good.

Do you understand?

Yes.

Shouldn't that be taken into account

on the day of reckoning?

That I thought I was doing

what was right.

What else could I do?

What should you have done?

I have no way of knowing.

It's horrible...

to accuse me

of persecuting the Jews.

I who have done

such a great humanitarian effort!

I would say that I am the one

who has helped the most

Jews in this country.

Sorry, can you repeat that last part?

You heard me: I am the one who has helped

most Jews in this country.

And yet you have emphasised

in speech and text

that Judaism is to blame for all evil.

That the "Jewish troll" must be fought.

What was your role in the deportation

of the Norwegian Jews, Mr. Quisling?

- I knew nothing.

- You knew nothing?

You were responsible for the police,

but did not know what mission

the police had been given?

There was talk of sending them to Poland.

That was all I knew.

You must have known something.

When questioned, you said that

you visited camps to which Jews

were sent in Poland in 1942.

Yes, they appeared

as ordinary labour camps.

Workplaces.

There was nothing to complain about.

There was nothing there

that made an impression.

Is that so? Was there nothing there

that made an impression?

Who knows what he saw?

Hello!

Where are the children?

Is something wrong?

I pressed your pants.

- Yes?

- I found the pass.

To the prison.

Heidi, I wanted to tell you, but...

- Confidentiality...

- Don't bring it.

You could have told me who it was.

I mean, Quisling!

It was for the sake of

your safety and that of your children.

- Peder, please.

- Berggrav thought it was for the best.

Of course Berggrav thought so.

Of course, the Bishop doesn't think

that the little lady needs

to know anything.

We usually talk to each other.

- I have a duty as a priest.

- And your duty to me?

- I went to their apartment today.

- Heidi...

What could I do?

The Red Cross knows nothing.

Nothing more than that they

were sent away on the freighter.

- I found the pictures in a drawer.

- Did you go through their stuff?

I am just trying to understand

what has happened.

There is talk of organised murders.

That people were gassed to death

and thrown into mass graves.

- We should not believe all

the rumours going around.

- Why not?

Everything we thought could

never happen has happened.

- And it was Quisling who let it happen.

- You don't know that.

- Do you defend him?

- No, but he has not been convicted yet.

You must... the world is not

as black and white

as you try to make it out to be.

And if Mr. and Mrs. Abrahamsen

don't come back?

I don't want to hear that kind of talk.

Do you think God is punishing us

for what we did?

Stop it now!

- I need to talk about it.

- You need to let it go.

We have to move on.

If they don't come back...

- If we have sent them to their deaths.

- They'll be back!

They are labour camps, ordinary workplaces.

Nothing else.

Please provide your full

name and profession, please.

Leo Eitinger,

born on the 12th of December 1912.

Trained as a doctor

and received licentia practicandi in 1940.

Then it is your witness, Mr. Schjdt.

You were working as a doctor

when you were arrested

on the 16th of May 1942?

- And you were arrested

because you were Jewish?

- I don't know, I wasn't questioned.

- Where were you taken?

- First to Molde.

Then to Falstad and Bretvedt.

And in February 1943 to Germany

on the freighter Gotenland.

From there we were taken to Auschwitz.

- People of both sexes and all ages?

- Yes.

The oldest was a man of 80 years,

the youngest a child of one and a half.

What happened when you

arrived at Auschwitz?

Some young girls were selected.

All other women, young and old,

were taken away by truck.

It was only later that we found out

what had happened.

What had happened to

the women and children?

All women and children

had been taken to gas chambers

where they were k*lled

with hydrogen cyanide

and then cremated.

- When was this?

- 1943.

How did it happen?

In the beginning,

the gas chambers were primitive.

An ordinary barrack covered

with sheet metal

so that it would be gas-tight.

People had to undress outside.

Then they were pushed inside

and the doors were locked.

Through a window in the roof

the gas bombs were thrown in.

Later, the gas chambers were expanded

into a large underground facility.

With a dressing room

decorated like a bathhouse.

People got the impression

that they would be bathing,

because they had to undress.

They went in with no idea

what was going to happen.

It often happened

that while some were gassed

the others were forced to undress

and wait outside, naked

while they heard what was going on.

How many of you were taken

to the gas chambers in that way?

I'm not entirely sure,

but everyone who were not fit

for work were k*lled outright.

For men, the working age was

between 20 and 45.

- Were people mistreated in the camps?

- Yes.

- So bad that they were beaten to death?

- Yes.

Did you see anything like this yourself?

Yes, I saw people being beaten to death.

Do you know if Jewish prisoners

in other camps were treated

in the same way?

Yes, it is. I know that for sure.

- Were there many suicides down there?

- Yes.

The most common approach

was walking outside the

line on the way to work.

Then you were shot right away.

Do you know how many Norwegian Jews

were sent to Germany?

I think it was

around 950 or 1,000.

- The figures are not exact.

- How many have returned home?

Twelve.

- Did you say twelve?

- Yes.

And the rest we can assume are dead?

Yes.

Thank you very much.

In conclusion,

may I mention one thing?

I recently read in the newspaper that...

...that Quisling had said

that he did not know about

the persecution of Jews.

That he wanted to help them.

But after the Danube had sailed

Quisling gave a speech

where he defended what had happened.

How can he then claim that he did not know?

Do you remember giving that speech?

Yes, I gave a speech in Trondheim.

Probably a lecture.

I gave many talks at that time.

You know when you walk in the forest

and navigate by the sun?

Then suddenly it gets dark

and you don't know where you are

- Where you are going, or what time it is.

Maybe I'm going crazy.

You have always had

a more interesting spiritual life than me.

What has happened in those camps,

that evil...

The worst part is that I almost

had started to like him.

When he talks about something

he cares about he seems

to want to do good.

- Just like you.

- No, he's nothing like me.

He turns right into wrong

and true into untrue.

Like right and wrong

are no longer objective concepts.

You are drawn into his logic,

until you think that he is

right and you are wrong.

- Is it that important?

- There is a difference between

right and wrong.

He calls himself a Christian,

but completely lacks humility.

The strong man who never doubts.

There is nothing Christian about it.

No, you can only show him the way.

You cannot force him to walk on it.

What if I can't find my way?

Are you afraid of losing faith?

It's human to have doubts, Peder.

It's human to get lost.

We are fallible.

We just have to accept that.

Are you asleep?

They are dead.

Isn't that right?

Rosa and Elias Abrahamsen.

Everyone is dead.

Good afternoon.

Is it afternoon?

How can you...

How can you say you didn't know?

You rewrite the story to make it

fit into your distorted world-view.

You don't care about

who has to be sacrificed on the way.

- If it's the deportations you...

- Yes, of course!

You knew! You spoke passionately

about the so-called Jewish question

just after the Danube had left Oslo.

You defended what had happened!

It is not that simple.

I did not have the information

that you may have received afterwards.

- You were the Prime Minister!

- I was in a tight political situation.

It was the m*rder of innocent people!

No situation can defend that.

There are different rules in w*r!

People die in w*r!

Bolshevism and the Bolsheviks

were much worse.

I have proof,

I have seen it with my own eyes!

For eight years I waded in corpses!

I saw mothers eating their own children!

Are you going to teach me

what suffering means?

I have seen suffering in the flesh!

How far did you feel you could go

for the sake of a good cause?

How many lives can your "life's work" cost?

I think that went to your head.

You had made it to the top.

Hitler listened to you,

you were the king of Gimle.

It was so good to finally have a voice.

Vidkun Quisling, the aid worker

who ended up in Dr. Nansen's shadow.

The politician no one voted for.

And when you and your little

party finally got the chance,

you got into bed with the enemy.

Because there was an even bigger enemy!

If it had not been for my efforts...

Maybe you think so, but you don't know.

You don't know!

How could you think you knew

what Norway needed?

You know nothing about other people

because you have rejected them!

- Just like you choose

not to tell the truth.

- History will show that I was right!

History will show that I did

the right thing for Norway

and the Norwegians.

I knew what Norway needed.

People can stand there and

say whatever they want.

I can stand it!

The strongest is the man

who stands all, all alone.

So that's what you want?

To stand alone?

You're welcome!

We are done with each other.

How does it feel?

Do you think...

that you can be so wrong

about your mission in life?

Yes, I think so.

What will happen then?

Do you fear that you have made a mistake?

If everything I have done has been wrong...

I cannot live with myself.

There is forgiveness for everything.

I don't know.

I...

Can you stay just a little longer?

I don't want to be alone right now.

It is not easy for the rest of us

to understand Vidkun Quisling.

A sky-wide gap separates him and

his perception of reality

from that of others.

But it is the duty of the court

to understand his personality

because even the subjective

burden of guilt must be proven

in order for him to be convicted.

Sometimes it's hard to accept

that you can't even imagine

what another person

thinks and feels.

In this court case, we are faced with

such a conundrum.

Attempts have been made to solve

the Quisling riddle with the

somewhat simplified explanation

the need for self-assertion

lust for power or greed.

If you believe that this

is the key to Quisling's mind

the man has not been understood.

I therefore ask the question:

How can one explain

that the Quisling who participated

in Nansen's humanitarian work

in Ukraine and Armenia

and who was regarded by all as an

intellectual and moral exemplar

now sitting here accused of

such extraordinarily serious crimes?

As a defence lawyer

it is my duty to ensure that

the personality of the accused

is elucidated as far as possible.

And the court should be clear

that this is indeed a riddle.

- How are you?

- I've got a pencil.

But no pencil sharpener and no knife.

How can I defend myself

when I can't write down the arguments?

- What would you like to tell us about?

- My driving forces.

My childhood in Fyresdal,

what has shaped me.

My love for my country.

My years at the w*r College.

My political activities.

Maybe you should talk about

what you could have done differently?

Should I not defend myself?

You will be convicted

no matter how much you defend yourself.

- The court needs something conciliatory.

- Something conciliatory?

- Yes. Humility.

- Humility...!

I cannot stand in court and waver.

I must be clear and precise.

No one wants to admit they're wrong,

but what if it could save your life?

- Humility

- You humbled yourself before me.

Humility.

You have the gift of words.

You'll figure something out.

See you soon.

See you soon.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You are quiet today.

Your defence attorney

wants me to ask you to be humble.

He wants you to ask for forgiveness.

- What do you think?

- I?

You should not bow down to them.

Don't let those barbarians break you.

No one is stronger than you.

I knew it the first time I saw you.

"Now there's a man

who would never let himself be broken!"

That's what I thought.

You are Kapitan Quisling.

You are my Kapitan Quisling.

They will understand.

Don't you think so?

You make them understand.

I who have faithfully served my country

am accused of treason

while those who are actually responsible

for the whole mess...

...the defence saboteurs,

those who drove us

into this w*r, go free.

They can rejoice and say: "Hal!"

"We finally got him there."

I wanted to do good.

My work has been exclusively

for the Norwegian people

and to promote

the Kingdom of God on earth,

which Jesus Christ came to create.

I have not knowingly done anything

to harm the Norwegian people.

I have done my utmost

to prevent

that the Norwegian people and the

would become a theatre of w*r.

This is exactly what I am accused of!

I prevented a civil w*r.

I tried to repel the invasion

and protect the Norwegian people

from the forces of the occupying power!

Do you have children?

Neither do I.

The Court has reached a judgement.

Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Quisling

is sentenced to death

- For violation of the Military Penal Code

paragraph 80, numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Compare paragraph 9, number 1,

and Article 12 of the Criminal Code.

The Military Criminal Code

paragraph 80 reads...

Have you understood the judgement?

Yes.

With the judgement of the Court of Appeal

the question of guilt is settled.

You can appeal if you think

the sentence is too harsh

if the negotiations were ill*gal

or the law has been wrongly applied.

You can appeal straight away

or ask for a reflection period.

I wish to have my judgement reviewed

in the Supreme Court.

The hearing is hereby closed.

The court is adjourned.

- Mrs Quisling.

- I don't want to be disturbed.

I assume you have heard the judgement.

Yes, but of course I don't accept it.

I am a person who fights, Mr. Olsen.

You have to do that.

Fight to the last drop of blood.

All our friends are in prison.

So I write letters.

Look, I am writing to Gerhardsen.

I am writing to General Ruge.

Stalin.

- To Stalin?

- Yes.

He is my compatriot. I know that

that he valued our work in Ukraine.

- What do you think he can do?

- I ask for mercy.

Surely someone must be able to show mercy,

even after a w*r?

They must not sh**t him.

I must not lose him.

I was nothing

before I met him.

A poor secretary

from a country with no future.

Invisible.

But in his eyes I became someone.

I became Maria Pasek, Viking descendant.

I became the wife of the Prime Minister.

What will I do without him?

Do you understand? A lie... Nothing!

There are many people who support you.

I have received several letters.

And I have written

to Prime Minister Gerhardsen.

Prayed for you.

- And General Ruge. And the King.

- Have you written to the King?

We did meet him

when you were Minister of Defence.

- It was a long time ago. 1932.

- I've even danced with him.

He liked you.

Do you think so?

There must be something more I can do.

There must be something more!

What is it that you want me to let go of?

My guilty conscience?

God? Is it?

- Is that what you do?

- I can't think like that.

If I do that

I don't know where it will end.

Maybe here.

Here where I am.

But my job is to give hope to others.

If I lose hope, then...

I have a husband who is sentenced to death.

He is completely lost.

If I can penetrate it, if I can

find a little ray of light or hope...

Then you find your faith?

I just want to help him find peace.

That's great, Peder.

But how can you help someone else

if you are not at peace yourself?

You write such beautiful letters.

"We two are one. Be and remain."

"You should never let

that thought leave you."

"If I sleep or wake up

on the other side"

"my immortal part

is also always with you."

"My eternally and immortally beloved."

I...

I wish...

...that you could say that.

What you write. These words.

That you could look at me

and say them.

So that I understood that you mean them.

Please do.

Only once.

Can't you just say it?

- Tell me you love me.

- I do.

Please!

Maria...

I...

- Maria, it will just be silly.

- Silly?

What is stopping you?

I mean what I have written.

I have written it to you.

Do you want me to help him?

Because I don't know if I can do it alone,

Heidi. And I need you.

Thank you very much.

Yes, of course.

The pardon application was rejected.

I have to go there and tell him.

The public and the Pharisee.

That's what it landed on.

Have you heard anything?

Unfortunately, it was rejected.

Neither the King, the Prime Minister

or others have been willing to pardon you.

So the decision has been made.

How much time do I have?

It will happen tonight.

Tonight.

- I'll stay with you as long as you want.

- Yes.

- Yes.

There must be a point to this too.

Maria. You must...

You have to promise to

take care of Maria for me.

Yes.

She really appreciated

the conversations with you.

Shall we read something together?

I don't know...

Do you want to receive communion?

No, no...

Many people feel good

to be forgiven for their sins.

You don't understand. I am innocent.

I have nothing to confess.

Everyone has something to confess.

Do you remember that we talked

about the publican and the Pharisee?

You called it Sunday school theology

and I felt a bit stupid.

But there is a reason why people learn

as a child: it's a simple truth.

The one who is closest to God

is the one who can own up to his mistakes.

Its weaknesses.

His humanity.

I have nothing to regret.

- Nothing.

- But you told me that.

You wondered if you had misunderstood

your mission in life.

Yes.

Yes...

I was blinded by my patriotic

love for Norway.

I should have devoted my life

to greater things.

Maybe you should not think about

what you could have done.

If I had devoted myself more

to the political work...

I could have averted the w*r.

I saw it coming.

Please don't,

you don't have to defend yourself to me.

It is written:

"Whoever hates me also hates my Father.

Had I not done such deeds"

"among those whom no one else has done,

they would be without sin."

"But now they have seen them,

and they have hated both me and my Father."

"So the word would be fulfilled

which is written in their law:"

"They have hated me for no reason."

- They have hated me for no reason.

- Vidkun.

God does not hate. God is love.

The Jews rejected Jesus Christ

for Barabbas the robber.

It's the same choice people have today.

Many would rather have a Barabbas

than a true Messiah.

I can't sit and watch.

I have to fight it,

until the last moment.

- I will be most dangerous after my death.

- But you are no Messiah, Vidkun.

You are a human being.

A sinner, like all of us.

- Now you have to go.

- No, I'm not leaving.

- Not until you have found peace.

- You must go, I want to be alone.

- No, I'm staying.

- You're leaving! Do you hear that!

- You should leave now!

- Please, listen to me.

You should go!

It is I who am the danger.

What did you say?

You asked me which of us is the

the publican and who is the Pharisee.

You were right.

I have been a hypocrite,

I have not examined myself.

There was an elderly Jewish couple

hiding in a closet in our house.

Rosa and Elias Abrahamsen.

We had put a box of apples in there.

And one night, our daughter, Liv,

had snuck in to take a...

- And then she saw them.

Of course, she was terrified.

She thought they were trolls.

I managed to calm her down

and told her that she had

dreamt the whole thing.

But I couldn't help but think

that she would tell me about the trolls

for a classmate at school.

So I didn't dare have them at home anymore,

I had them hospitalised as carriers.

I thought that maybe we could

fool the police that way.

Then they were arrested there.

They were taken away while

begging for their lives.

Heidi saw it all from the kitchen window.

They died in Auschwitz.

You did what you had to do.

No, I made a choice.

I could have saved them, but...

I let myself and my family go before

two old people who needed help.

Any other person would do the same

in your situation.

That's what I've been telling myself,

but...

...yet my choice cost

cost two people their lives.

Why are you telling me this?

Because I have done the same thing as you:

I defended myself, lied to myself.

Because I was scared, I got lost.

I lost faith in

that God would receive me.

I did not trust him,

I was losing him.

Vidkun.

Do you dare to trust God?

Do you trust me?

In that case, you should ask God

for forgiveness of sins.

Then you should say what

the audience member said:

"God, have mercy on me, sinner."

Now tell that to God.

It is not dangerous.

God will not abandon you.

I will not abandon you.

God, have mercy on me, sinner.

God, have mercy on me, sinner.

Have mercy on me...

The body of Christ, given for you.

Blood of Christ, shed for you.

The body of Christ, given for me.

Blood of Christ, shed for me.

Jesus Christ has given us

his holy body and blood,

which he gave in atonement

for all our sins.

He strengthens us

and preserves us to eternal life.

Peace be with you.

I'm sorry.

Your wife came by with this.

I see.

She asks me to say hello. My wife.

Yes...

Thank you.

- Real coffee.

- Yes.

It's certainly got some kick to it.

Was it a joke?

What? No, I'm sorry.

That there is gunpowder in it?

There's gunpowder in it...

Yes, yes.

I'm going to sleep tonight anyway.

I will get you ready.

Can I do that?

It is time.

The hour has struck.

See.

The Son of Man is delivered

into the hands of sinners.

The men of w*r brought him with them

entered the Praetorium and assembled

the entire Roman guard.

They dressed him in a purple cloak

...and twisted a crown of thorns

and put it on him.

Then they took me out

to be crucified.

They brought me

to the place called Calvary.

It was at the third hour

that they crucified me.

And at the ninth hour

Jesus cried out with a loud voice:

"My God, my God,

why have you forsaken me?"

"Father."

"Forgive them."

"Because they don't know

what they're doing."

Mr. Quisling.

Now it is time.

Goodbye.

I want to look death in the eye.

I want to look death in the eye!

It is in accordance with the regulations.

Peder...

I am innocent!

You sh**t an innocent man!

Vidkun Quisling was arrested

on the 9th of May and ex*cuted

on the 24th of October 1945.

Maria Quisling lived in seclusion

as "Mrs. Bang" for the rest of her life.

She died at Uranienborghemmet

in January 1980.

Peder Olsen came to be regarded

as one of the best in his field

both in psychiatry

and as a spiritual caregiver.

Peder Olsen died in 1977.

The movie is based on his

and Heidi Olsen's diary entries.