Knut Hamsun is Norway's most famous and admired author. Ever since he was young he has hated the English for the starvation they caused Norway during WWI. When the Germans occupy Norway 9 April 1940 he welcomes them and the protection they can give from Great Britain. He supports the national socialist ideals, but opposes the way these ideals are turned into action - that Norwegians are jailed and executed. His wife Marie travels in Germany during the war as a sign of support from Knut and herself.
Acting
Max von Sydow's final great performance — 87 years old, devastating.
Direction
Troell lets silences scream what dialogue cannot.
Director
Jan Troell
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Marie Hamsun's memoirs were banned in Norway until 1978; her daughter Ellinor initially refused to cooperate with the film.
Hamsun remains on Norwegian currency despite everything — this film helped restart that national argument in the 1990s.
DK
SE
