The Black Pimpernel (2007) Movie Script
[haunting orchestral music]
[crowd shouting " Allende,
Allende "]
After Salvador Allende was
elected President in 1970,
Chile became a free haven
for political refugees,
from all over Latin America.
Many insurgents from this area
of the world
fled the military dictatorship
in their home countries,
and sought refuge in
Allende's Chile.
In Washington the Nixon
Administration feared
Allende's socialism would
inspire social revolution
elsewhere in the region.
President Nixon ordered the
CIA to cooperate with
Chile's biggest newspaper and
with the dissatisfied members
of Chile's Armed Forces.
Their purpose was to destabilize
Allende's Government.
Soon, only a few countries
were supporting Allende.
Amongst these, Cuba was
the closest ally.
[ The people united will never
be defeated ]
[men and women screaming
and crying]
[muffled shouts]
You have widely over-stepped
your bounds.
As a foreign diplomat Edelstam,
you should have known that this
game of yours cannot succeed.
It has to stop.
I have something to show you.
Watch carefully,
Mister Ambassador.
[trigger snaps open]
[gun shot reverberates]
[man screaming]
[woman laughing hysterically]
[solemn violin melody]
[hubbub of many voices]
The moment passed already, the
real cleansing is the one
that comes from below.
But the loyalty of the people
can be quite opportunistic,
it can change at any moment.
Chaos is just around the corner.
That's why we put our trust
in you. Now as always.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have
your attention please ?
Uh um, well for me it is
a great honor to present
Sweden's new Ambassador to
Chile, Mister Harald Edelstam.
It's no ordinary man who
is now facing you.
Some of you already know his
credentials that are legendary.
Harald Edelstam,
nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too, Mister
Ambassador, please this way.
This man has the disquieting
tendency to land
right in the middle of the
world's trouble spots.
The list is impressive.
Wartime Oslo, then also
Jakarta when it exploded,
Manila, lately, Guatemala.
As for myself I had the pleasure
of meeting this remarkable man
as far back as 1941, when he
was carrying out his first
diplomatic mission in Berlin,
More people than I can count
are alive today
because of this man.
So ladies and gentleman please
welcome Mister Harald Edelstam!
[crowd clapping]
My task now on Sweden's behalf
is to assist you
in any way possible to achieve
your goals of your...
Exceptional social project.
And just a moment ago,
I promised your President,
that his ambition to offer
every Chilean child
his daily glass of milk
would be fulfilled.
And you all have my word on
that. Thank you.
[crowd clapping]
Susanne I can tell you I'm not
in agreement with all.
So what you're saying is that
you are above politics?
No, not at all.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
You should meet someone who
loves opera music as much as you
as much as yourself.
-Hallo, Ricardo Fuentes.
-Nice to meet you.
Welcome to our hornet's nest.
Thank you. I have been stung
once or twice, but thankfully,
I am not allergic, so...
[laughs]
Then you are the right man
in the right place.
However, when it comes to
our supply of music,
I'm afraid it's swamped
by noisy folk singers.
-You prefer opera?
-Yes. Verdi.
Personally, I'm stuck on Wagner.
" A Flying Dutchman " fan?
[orchestra playing a waltz]
And with whom do I have the
honor of sharing this dance?
-Ana.
-Ana, hmm.
I am President Allende's
Private Secretary.
Guatemala was in turmoil,
nobody, nobody was safe.
I had guard dogs,
four Doberman Pinschers,
outside of my U. S. Embassy.
Edelstam, outside
the Swedish Embassy,
[chuckling]
What?
He had one pig, a guard pig!
[all laughing]
Edelstam, you know you should
consider coming into business.
I could give you a few tips,
the Colonel and I, we run
a number of enterprises
together.
Yes, trucking companies.
Isn't the present time a little
too shaky for investing?
Well, I would agree with you.
No, no no, this is exactly the
right time, when no-one else is.
Trust me, the chaos
we are experiencing now,
will not go on for ever.
Think about it.
[menacing drum beat]
[distant voices calling]
[water rippling]
There will be three
representatives from BOFUS.
And two from SUS.
And we have this request
from Atlas Copco.
[knocking]
Sorry, I'm afraid I have not
announced myself.
Am I interrupting?
No, no, no, no.
I'd like to invite you for a
ride in my car. Want to come?
Are you always this direct?
Do I scare you Mister
Ambassador?
No.
In fact I'm the one who
should be worried.
Peace and quiet is not exactly
what follows
the Black Pimpernel around.
Oh you know that silly nickname.
This is our main
housing project.
Within three years we'll have
the new houses ready.
Leftwing armed groups
are also located here.
Excuse me.
He's injured!
[children playing in background]
Meet the revolution Mister
Edelstam, that is,
if La Comandante is not in too
much of a hurry.
Ambassador Edelstam?
My humble self, but how... How?
You know my friend, Susanne.
So, that's what you look like.
[melancholic clarinet playing]
I can offer you some
excellent wine, the one thing
the socialists have not grabbed
for themselves yet.
-Feel at home please.
-Thank you very much.
[distant automatic gun fire]
This conspiracy is pushing
us together.
-Fate?
-Coincidence.
Do you really believe
in coincidence?
[flashing sound]
Oh! that's fate!
Oh! This has happened
seven times this week!
Soon we'll be back
in the Stone Age.
Nobody comes here when
the world is upside down!
Thank you, we'll be fine,
thank you so much.
-Okay.
-Thank you.
[footsteps receding]
So the only thing that is
missing is music.
-Cheers! Skol!
-Skol!
What music does
the Black Pimpernel prefer?
Well, I don't know.
-Mmm.
-Why don't you call me Harald?
-Please.
-Harald.
The name behind the mask.
What do you mean? I have no idea
what you talk about.
Like a bird on the wing,
over the seas
without rest, he must roam .
[shouts, dogs barking]
That's " The Flying Dutchman" ,
Wagner.
Condemned to sail for ever
on his ghost ship .
Until he finds the woman
who can release him .
Until he finds a woman.
Flying Dutchman.
[violin playing]
[cat meows]
Oh, it's open.
[sighs] Okay. Good night Harald.
Good night.
[muttering in his sleep]
[dogs barking]
[laughing]
[distorted electronic sounds]
I will not deny that I strongly
disapprove of your appointment.
And as you well know, I am not
the only one of that opinion.
The Swedish Foreign Office
makes it very clear
they're not going to tolerate
any irregularities this time.
First sign of disobedience,
you will be called home.
[papers rustling]
[clears throat]
Well if they got their way,
we'd move heaps of paper around.
Still, I have to put in my
protest in the milk powder deal.
You can't make promises without
proper clearance.
Then I suggest you formalize
that matter Mister Winther.
The delivery of milk powder
must get started,
not in a week,
not in a month, but now.
Children are dying out there.
Thank you.
And Mister Winther, ask the
staff to shine their shoes,
we represent Sweden.
-Do you need help with anything?
-Winther, I've been thinking,
You will not have a proper
presence of Swedish army
Susanne here she knows the whole
network of voluntary aid workers
so she'll handle those records,
it's a part-time job,
I've already done the paperwork.
I'll be gone for
a couple of hours.
-Mister Edelstam?
-I don't have time.
[busy office noise]
Hi!
Will you by chance tolerate
my humble presence?
Has the Ambassador
taken interest
in the lives of the masses.
Let's stop the charade, I want
you to know that you have
my unreserved sympathy.
One day a government-supporter
the next day a revolutionary?
Neither. I support people who do
things, get results, like you.
We. I'm just one out of many.
Quite the place for it.
Sue, do you have the new names?
Ivana Pereira and
Franca Molinas.
[crashing sounds, shouting]
Move! I have orders
to search this place,
and to remove literature and
photographs. Give me that file!
Hey!
This is property of
the Embassy of Sweden.
It is the list of our projects.
Hi, how are we? I'm
the Swedish Ambassador.
My dear friend
Colonel Maldonaldo
will reward you for
carrying out your duty.
I promise to mention your name
next time I see him.
Fair enough.
Let's go!
Yup! Let's go you morons.
We'll see you later.
Have you been raided before?
No, no, no.
I have a suggestion,
I keep this.
Until we find
a safer hiding place.
Why do they call herComandante ?
As long as she's around, so is
the Left, the "real" Left.
So this printing house is
just a front?
No, not at all, they make school
materials for the shanty towns.
Consuelo, she's not a
revolutionary romantic.
[light-hearted melody]
You are a very strange man,
Mister Ambassador!
Hmm...
Where are we going?
Oh, ah, it's straight ahead,
I'll show you.
And you are
a very strange woman!
[both laughing]
[background conversation]
They are here. We got them this
morning, it is too late.
Children are already sick.
-Give me a hand please.
-Sure.
[children laughing]
Careful!
-Does it work?
-Yes.
Consuelo! May I present
Ernesto Octavio
Michelangelo Fartfellow!
Name's not Fartfellow!
What, what did he say?
Name's not Fartfellow!
No, you don't want to know, no.
Aaar!
[romantic guitar melody]
Mister Ambassador I will never
be just one of your...
You're not, you're not.
You are so precious,
so precious.
Harald, are you there?
Are you there?
Harald, you bastard, I hope you
haven't gone to bed already?
Son-of-a-bitch!
[strange electronic sounds,
voices reverberating]
[radio static]
Mister Edelstam.
I would like to speak to
Ana Dominguez.
At the Presidential Palace.
Thank you very much, thank...
Mister Edelstam, the President
is speaking.
Long live Chile! Long live the
people! Long live the workers !
[gun shot]
[martial music]
[sound of bombing]
[military aircraft overhead]
[crashing and exploding sounds,
dogs barking]
[explosions]
[machine gun and artillery fire.]
[sirens, people screaming]
Compatriots! Our country
has been destroyed from outside,
and from within.
A curfew has been declared.
It is prohibited to be outside
on the street.
All those on the street after
curfew will be detained.
Can I have your attention...
[artillery fire, phone ringing]
Can I have your attention, please.
[artillery fire, phone ringing]
Today they turned a black page
in the book of history.
We are part of it...
We have to act.
Go to work.
Mister Edelstam, Miss Martens
called, asked for help.
Susanne, where is she?
She didn't say an address,
mentioned a printing house.
[woman screaming, gun fire]
[gun fire, explosions]
[mournful violin melody]
[gun fire, shouting]
Drive!
[car engine ignites]
I arrived too late.
I saw when they took her away.
[screaming and groaning]
I asked her myself to take my
place for the night.
[mournful violin melody]
[car doors closing]
I'll contact you.
Consuelo, I'll find her,
I promise.
[distant gunfire]
[voices of crowd]
I have permission.
Go ahead.
[helicopters overhead,
dogs barking]
[soldiers shouting orders,
woman screaming]
[running footsteps,
door slamming]
-Who's in charge?
That way.
[cacophony of shouting voices]
I am the Swedish Ambassador
and I demand
-to know...
-Mister Edelstam.
For God's sake what
are you doing here?
I have reason to believe Swedish
citizens are kept in custody.
Swedes? No, not very likely.
Only social rebels
are brought here.
In times of crisis mistakes can
be made, we both know that.
I have no information of who
or how many.
Then find out!
That is way beyond my authority,
please!
-I'm going to find out.
-Please Mister Edelstam,
[soldiers shouting orders]
-Mister Ambassador!
-What's happening?
They are attacking
the Cuban Embassy!
Oh! You can't go out now,
they shoot everybody!
[airplanes overhead, rifle fire]
[shouting and firing]
Who is in charge?
Who is in charge?
[explosions, rapid
machine gun fire]
Get away!
On behalf of Sweden I demand
to talk to the Cuban Ambassador.
What the hell are you doing
here? Are you out of your mind?
There's a curfew, my soldiers
may shoot you at will.
That would not be too smart.
[sustained firing]
Go home Mister Ambassador,
please.
Not until I've talked to my
colleague inside.
And please do I have to remind
you that an attack on
a foreign Embassy will be
considered an act of war...?
Listen to me Mister Ambassador,
this is risky for you okay?
Why don't you take that up with
the country's leadership?
That way no-one will
accidentally do something
that could harm
the interests of Chile.
I can no longer guarantee
your safety.
Thank you very much, thank you
so much. Thank you very much.
[sustained gun fire]
Mister Edelstam! You choose
the strangest places for your
personal protection.
It has to be stopped.
Do the phones work?
For the time being.
We have tried to reach the
Junta, no such luck.
-And the press?
-Associated Press.
But what can they do? At the
very best we will be
on the front pages tomorrow...
[glass smashing]
I was in the Palace, well I was
one of the last to escape.
And Ana?
She was there, with the President.
-Is she alive?
-I don't know.
[glass smashing, artillery fire]
Duck!
[tank firing turret grinding round]
[papers rustling]
Mister Ambassador! I have a
message from the Junta.
Today, the Government
of the Nation,
decided to break diplomatic
relations with Cuba.
All Embassy staff must leave the
country before midnight.
[mournful violin]
Soldiers follow me!
This is Swedish territory.
Sweden has taken the protective
power for this Embassy,
and I warn you,
if you try to stop me,
you are violating
Swedish sovereignty,
and that will have severe
international consequences.
And you will bear the
responsibility.
Troops! Fall out !
Let's go !
Let's get out of here! Go!
Good evening!
It's going to be a long night
and these may
-what you got there?
-Make it a little bit shorter.
What is it?
Best quality guaranteed.
Hand-rolled by the heroes
of the Cuban Revolution!
The military was already
in the Palace.
You couldn't see anything for
the smoke and teargas.
A total mess.
The President wore a helmet
and carried a machine gun.
He ordered us to run for it.
As for himself, he went into
the reception hall,
a few moments later
we heard gunfire.
[cat meows]
Oh! the phone's gone.
-Do you know how to handle cats?
-No but I'll try.
That's the new addition
to our security guard...
-What's her name?
-Let's say...
-Allende.
-Allende?
Allende nine lives.
Mister Edelstam your disposition
concerning the Cuban Embassy
wasn't in any way cleared by
the Foreign Office.
There was no time. Even a wimp
would understand that!
Clear it now!
We may need all the buildings.
Inform the Foreign Ministry
that we are besieged
by refugees.
You know very well that
we cannot do that.
Just do it please.
[clamoring of crowds]
Please! Please!
Seor, please!
[baby crying]
Open the door. Open the door !
Please help me!
Open up!
[woman screaming]
Open your legs! Open your legs!
[woman screaming, baby crying]
[single gun shot]
[hubbub of voices]
[sorrowful melody]
How many Swedes still
unaccounted for?
At least five, maybe more.
[police siren]
Susanne Martens?
Nothing.
[crunching of broken masonry]
-I am the Swedish Ambassador.
-Moment please Seor.
[knocking]
So...
Our last encounter was
not so pleasant Mister Ambassador.
I'm very sorry for that.
We are both doing our own duty.
Yes, precisely.
You should be a military man
Mister Edelstam.
Although I disliked it, you
won an important battle.
Your courage impresses me.
What can I do for you?
There are Swedish citizens
missing.
We believe they may have been
detained by mistake.
We keep a close check on
who we arrest.
Just enemies of law and order.
Hardened fanatics, people who
want to wreck our society.
Unfortunately, parts of the
international press
have misunderstood our purposes.
Our only aim is reintroduce
democratic freedom.
Which the former government
demolished.
Let me show you... Look at this.
-I built all of them myself.
-Oh! I see.
It requires meticulous skill,
surgical precision.
In the same way we cut away
the abscesses on
the body of society.
And we allow no mistakes.
Mister Ambassador, I assure you
There are no Swedes in our
detention centers.
[departing footsteps]
Juana Gonzalez for questioning!
No leave her please!
[shrieks]
Susanne Martens.
[helicopters overhead, gun shots]
Emma Gonzalez Birchens
[helicopters overhead, gun shots]
Daniel de la Cruz, Emma
Gonzalez to questioning.
[hubbub of voices and groans]
[breathing heavily]
It's my heavy duty to convey
a truly sad message to you
Your king is dead.
The news reached us today.
On behalf of the Chilean people
I offer my condolences.
-Thank you.
-As for myself,
I've been a passionate royalist
all my life.
It's my deep conviction that we
should turn our country
into a kingdom like you have.
[distant screams]
People need real ideals
to look up to.
[distant screams]
As a show of sympathy,
I ask is there anything I can do
for you on this day of sorrow.
I would be very grateful if
you would inform
the Swedish Embassy
that I am here.
For the King's sake!
This is the most glorious moment
for our country!
We ask our patriotic countrymen
to provide information
on the whereabouts of
foreign traitors.
We must pull out the evil
by its roots.
We have once more...
[hubbub of conversation]
The phone, Mister Edelstam,
phone call for you.
[sighs]
-Hallo?
-Mister Edelstam.
Yes, yes.
-If you are looking for
a Swedish citizen by the name
Martens,
She is currently at
the National Stadium,
she's not going to be
let out of there alive.
Who am I talking to. Can I...?
[sighs]
[dogs barking]
[sorrowful clarinet melody]
[sound of footsteps approaching]
I have to tell you that I,
I apologize.
Say nothing, it's been
a long time.
I just want to know why you are
exposing yourself like this?
Susanne is in the Stadium,
we have to get her out.
[sighs]
-How?
-Your father.
Forget it! He runs with the
wolves, he always did.
Well change his ways,
change him.
Me? I don't want to see him.
He never committed himself
to anything,
except for the assholes
who feed him.
If he thinks that's the way,
that is right.
But he doesn't think it is right
to punish innocent people,
-I know that well.
-Not as well as I do.
He can go to hell.
[classical violin melody]
Consuelo!
[waltz melody]
Consuelo?
Hallo father.
I need you to listen to me.
For once.
Please listen to me.
Susanne Martens, you have seen
me with her.
She's in the National Stadium.
So?
I want you to get her out alive.
We're not going to have this
argument again.
How do you dare to come here!
You must know you she is
being looked for.
I came for her, find an excuse.
Or be a hero.
Father arrests daughter!
Make a great story
don't you think?
She didn't do anything.
That's what they all say
and look what they did!
Excuse me! Who did what?
Who?
Do you realize who is behind
what's happening?
International capitalism, right?
There are murderers on
every street corner.
Dad, they don't need murderers
on every street corner.
What with ITT, Pepsi and
Chase Manhattan Bank,
there's enough already.
They are the ones making the
decisions, for you.
I think you should leave.
Very well.
Please help me.
I have to pay for what I've
done. Susanne's done nothing.
Please.
[departing footsteps]
[door slamming]
So?
[sobbing]
I wish I had your courage.
You!
[screams and groans]
-Officer.
-Yes Sir.
Bring the Swedish girl,
we have to get rid of her.
[sobbing and whimpering]
[people crying and screaming]
-Move! Move!
-No.
[woman shrieking]
[hubbub of voices]
Do you have a light?
Oh, yes.
-You want one?
-Oh no, I don't smoke.
I just smoke cigars.
Then you
will definitely enjoy this.
Thank you.
[sorrowful melody]
[traffic noise]
[sighs heavily]
You want to ask me something?
There are rumors about
mass executions.
It happens every day.
How many have we managed to
transfer to the Cuban Embassy?
Perhaps 200.
-We're seriously understaffed,
-Exactly.
We can't continue like this.
And the Buticas family needs
a doctor.
-I see, Susanne?
-Yeah?
Is it true that you don't want
to return to Sweden,
in spite what has happened?
Yeah, fear of flying.
-I like it here.
-Good.
From this moment on,
Susanne holds the position of
Second Secretary at the Embassy.
You'll have your own car,
and formally take over
responsibility for the Cuban
Embassy.
And Winther here will take care
of all the formalities.
Enough Edelstam you are
way out of line!
-Decisions like these...
-We make exactly the decisions
that the situation demands.
What is needed now is action,
not discussion.
Do you realize what you are
asking of me Mister Edelstam?
My first duty is to show loyalty
to my superiors.
It's a question of honor.
But you know the military
leadership have sworn
their loyalty to this
country's government?
What was their loyalty worth?
[sighs]
Let me make one thing clear
Mister Edelstam.
Susanne was only released
because of my love
for my daughter
And for the record, I supported
the take-over myself.
It was necessary,
to prevent the country from
plunging into total lawlessness.
Total chaos.
But the medicine turned out
to be a little more bitter
than you had imagined.
The patient is bleeding
to death.
No matter how you look at it,
it is too late.
The process must fulfil
itself, it will fulfil itself.
With or without me.
If I refuse to do my job,
someone would
immediately take my place.
Nothing would be changed.
Do you honestly think that is
a way to define responsibility?
Let me be quite frank,
I know you don't like the
situation we are in,
I know you as a decent, upright
person, a human being,
but is it possible to keep
your honor,
while at the same time
you lose your humanity?
I ask you as a father.
I have just received information
that six Brazilians
await execution
with any luck we'll hand them
over to you tomorrow morning.
Thank you very much.
You are a man of honor.
Thank you very much.
-Pray for me sister.
-Yes I will.
[car accelerating away]
[smashing glass, explosions]
[rapid gun fire]
Careful!
Well, thank you for this very
instructive excursion.
Are ambassadors supposed
to do this sort of thing?
Well in this case I invoke
regional practice.
You have widely overstepped
your bounds
as a foreign diplomat Edelstam.
You should have known that this
game of yours cannot succeed.
It has to stop.
The six Brazilians you wanted
to sneak out of here
have been executed.
So follow me, I have something
to show you.
Watch carefully,
Mister Ambassador.
[trigger clicks]
[gun shot.]
And now I want you to leave.
And never, ever
to show your face here again,
understand?
[sound of vomiting]
This should have been prepared
yesterday.
I'm sorry.
Is there no-one here with a
sense of responsibility?
Must I do everything on my own?
Is it like that?
And this place looks like
a pigsty.
Why haven't these curtains been
washed, we have guests here.
[hysterical laughter,
dogs barking]
[soulful melody]
Leave me alone!
[sobbing]
Go home!
My father...
He was an evil man.
Your father was one of the most
courageous decent persons
I ever met.
You know,
I didn't know him.
I never had the guts to tell him
how much I love him.
Take me with you.
Where? To the Embassy?
No.
Let me go with you.
Anywhere, wherever you go,
always.
What else do you want me to do
Mister Ambassador?
You tell me, what else?
[hysterical sobbing]
[menacing music]
Watch out! Watch out!
Halt! Halt!
Halt! Get out of your vehicle.
You have no right
to violate the diplomatic
immunity of another nation.
Do not do anything that may cost
you your job.
Where I am is Swedish territory.
Thank you.
Open up please, let him through.
Hurry up man for God's sake!
Do you realize who that man is?
Figueroa. A notorious
trade union leader.
-A rabid activist.
-So what?
Sweden has become a dirty word.
Let me tell you straight away,
I myself am sending
a letter of protest to the
Foreign Office.
Not very smart.
Your actions prevents us from
doing what we're expected to do.
Which is?
To protect Swedish interests.
Oh, I see.
Let me be frank.
I requested Foreign Office to
send us a unit of armed guards
to protect Swedish interests.
Armed guards, huh.
Mister Edelstam.
Please, this is for you.
Thank you very much.
I'm here to pick up the
pimpernels I ordered.
Come in.
Ana, thank God!
We have to be quick.
Some-one may have seen you.
You are in great, great danger,
you know that?
We have been collaborating
with our network.
All kinds of people come here
seeking protection.
I find suitable meeting places,
that's where you come in.
Perfect, perfect.
But our opponents have
tightened their grip.
Now even you are in danger.
You have an informer at
the Embassy.
Take your Judas money and get
out of here, get out of here!
And one more thing, tell
your colonel Maldonaldo
that nothing goes on in this
Embassy that we would not
announce to the world press
tomorrow.
That's all. Thank you very
much. Thank you very much.
[sighing]
Her new name will be Nordflyct,
in Swedish,
it means northern flight.
Take good care of her.
[baby crying]
[cicadas chirping]
[rapid gun fire]
Mister Ambassador? There was a
lot of gunfire this time,
but I think Consuelo is alive.
Yes?
That would be difficult,
we have absolutely no capacity
at the moment
what was your name again?
-Ananda.
-Did she say Ananda?
That's Ana Dominguez,
what does she want?
She asked for asylum. That's of
course out of the question.
She's one of the Junta's
most wanted persons.
I regret to say that our
situation makes it impossible
for us to help. I'm sorry.
Now we shall cool down,
both you and me.
There will be no more damage
than has already been done.
Have tonight's invitations
been confirmed?
-Everyone has accepted.
-Perfect, perfect.
Naturally I expect
to see you there.
Good.
Now we're at the ropes and
I need your help.
Tonight four dignitaries from
the Chilean Foreign Ministry
will come to my home, it's just
an informal invitation,
with an important purpose.
You see this case of union
leader Figueroa
has provoked the generals
beyond measure.
So... Good food and wine,
has a way of furthering
international understanding,
and to ensure these dignitaries
don't feel embarrassed,
my residence will not be
under police guard.
I will not go so far as to say
we are in agreement
on every point, that would
be very unfortunate.
Then this kind of gathering
would not be called for.
Would you like?
Yes, please that one.
May I suggest that every exit
permit I sign
will cost two Cuban cigars!
If it is a question of a very
beautiful woman then
I raise the price to ten.
[Door-bell rings]
[all laughing]
You had enough. You okay?
I'm sorry I have to leave
you alone for a while.
Feel at home,
and here is the bathroom.
-I'll be back, is that okay?
-Thank you.
[sighing heavily]
I know, I know what you want
to ask me,
and I'm the first to admit
I am guilty.
But is it too much to ask
for a little...
-Discretion?
-No, no.
So we're not allowed
to meet the lady?
Right now she doesn't want
any company.
The bath tub is
too small for that.
[all laughing]
Oh yeah, we spent
a very nice time!
-Please... Are you okay?
-Yeah, yeah.
Look at all these women.
They're all different.
Yet they're all the same.
[sighs] We need to talk.
You will not find her again.
Not this way.
You are only punishing her
again and again.
Why do you say all this?
The year is 1941,
we are in Berlin.
Here we meet
this young diplomat.
A man without worries.
A man who gets friends
wherever he goes.
A gentleman with
an irresistible charm.
Who can have any woman he wants.
He mingles with high-level Nazis
as well as with communists
and anarchists.
You could say he is something
of an adventurer.
He takes part in hiding 56 Jews
under the stage floor
of the State Opera.
It is there that he meets her.
[singing opera cantata]
Julia.
The young man was lost
from the first moment.
He forgets everything,
his wife, his children.
There is only her.
[wartime band music]
They do nothing to keep
their relationship secret.
Despite the fact Julia is
married and has
an eight year old daughter.
He trusts her blindly.
What the diplomat does not know
is that Julia is half-Jewish.
One day, Julia's husband
is exposed.
[wood smashing and splintering]
So to save herself and
her little daughter,
She reveals the hiding-place.
[woman crying, dogs barking]
[sorrowful melody]
[hysterical laughter]
The little girl cannot take
her eyes off the young man.
The soul in his eyes has died.
[laughter echoing]
And there he stood as
a black pimpernel.
My mother and I escaped with
the help of the Chilean Embassy.
And Julia?
She died a few years later in
a mental hospital in Santiago.
You will find a death you so
obstinately seek,
unless in time you are able to
forgive yourself.
I am not the one you seek.
But out there, there is a person
who needs you.
One who is as wounded in
her soul as yourself.
You will find her at the Maria
Church, she is badly wounded.
Please follow me.
This way.
[speaking in Swedish]
[church bell ringing]
There they are, hurry up!
[tires screeching]
[suspenseful chase music]
[trolley wheels clattering]
She has to be operated on
immediately.
I'll go to the Foreign Office,
I try to do something,
look after her!
Come on! Upstairs!
-Give me the woman now!
-Absolutely not.
I cannot allow any action
during surgery.
In that case we will wait.
Excuse me, excuse me, sorry.
We have orders to take her away
for questioning.
We are not leaving this building
without her.
You have to wait, she's in no
condition to be moved.
She can rest at
the military hospital.
I have order to arrest her!
Bullshit! Do you know how to
read? Do you know how to read?
This document states the patient
is under Swedish protection.
[baby crying in background]
I think we're in trouble.
Military authority confirms
that this woman
must be arrested.
So step back all of you.
Stand back or else...
[grunting and shouting]
Stand to attention!
I've had enough of you
Mister Ambassador.
This!
I've come to pick up
the patient.
And if you don't move aside,
I promise you
in the name of God,
that I will shoot you.
Here and now!
[breathing heavily]
Don't.
Forgive me, forgive me.
[sobbing]
Now I say to you that
once and for all,
It is time to drop
all tactfulness,
that we identify this
murderous regime
and say what it is.
A pack of criminals,
without humanity and dignity.
A seriously ill woman
has been seized from our hands
in total contradiction to all
international laws.
Her case is one among many.
So it's our duty to show
the real face
of this venomous dictatorship.
Thank you very much.
[all talking at once]
Frankfurter Allgemeine, the New
York Times and France Soir,
They all got the story on
their front page.
Good, We'll hold a new press
conference tomorrow.
If we have time. The rumor's
that...
They intend to throw me
out of the country.
They won't get rid of me that
easy, I could become refugee
in my own Embassy!
Mister Edelstam, a visitor.
Thank you.
Oh! Mister Ambassador,
how do you do?
Why such a gloomy expression?
Well, look, ah...
-I'm afraid, um...
-Have a seat.
Thank you.
I'm afraid I don't have
good news for you.
Ah, the government...
Has decided to pronounce you
persona non grata.
So you have three days
to leave the country.
I wish I didn't have to bring
this news to you.
I am sorry for this,
I'm really sorry.
Well no beating around the bush,
I am not surprised.
But if they think they can
shut me up...
Look Harald, listen.
I speak as a friend.
You have done your job here.
The atmosphere has been
whipped up to a point
where things are getting
out of hand, you know?
All parties, and I mean all
parties involved
would prefer to settle this matter
without further commotion.
Certain concessions would
in that case be...
conceivable on the part of
the Government.
I'm really sorry for this,
I'm sorry.
I will cancel the press
conference tomorrow.
If you let her out of the
country, alive.
Edelstam, welcome.
Everything has been prepared.
This way.
[noise of plane taking off]
[soulful melody]
[crowd clapping]
[crowd shouting " Allende,
Allende "]
After Salvador Allende was
elected President in 1970,
Chile became a free haven
for political refugees,
from all over Latin America.
Many insurgents from this area
of the world
fled the military dictatorship
in their home countries,
and sought refuge in
Allende's Chile.
In Washington the Nixon
Administration feared
Allende's socialism would
inspire social revolution
elsewhere in the region.
President Nixon ordered the
CIA to cooperate with
Chile's biggest newspaper and
with the dissatisfied members
of Chile's Armed Forces.
Their purpose was to destabilize
Allende's Government.
Soon, only a few countries
were supporting Allende.
Amongst these, Cuba was
the closest ally.
[ The people united will never
be defeated ]
[men and women screaming
and crying]
[muffled shouts]
You have widely over-stepped
your bounds.
As a foreign diplomat Edelstam,
you should have known that this
game of yours cannot succeed.
It has to stop.
I have something to show you.
Watch carefully,
Mister Ambassador.
[trigger snaps open]
[gun shot reverberates]
[man screaming]
[woman laughing hysterically]
[solemn violin melody]
[hubbub of many voices]
The moment passed already, the
real cleansing is the one
that comes from below.
But the loyalty of the people
can be quite opportunistic,
it can change at any moment.
Chaos is just around the corner.
That's why we put our trust
in you. Now as always.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have
your attention please ?
Uh um, well for me it is
a great honor to present
Sweden's new Ambassador to
Chile, Mister Harald Edelstam.
It's no ordinary man who
is now facing you.
Some of you already know his
credentials that are legendary.
Harald Edelstam,
nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too, Mister
Ambassador, please this way.
This man has the disquieting
tendency to land
right in the middle of the
world's trouble spots.
The list is impressive.
Wartime Oslo, then also
Jakarta when it exploded,
Manila, lately, Guatemala.
As for myself I had the pleasure
of meeting this remarkable man
as far back as 1941, when he
was carrying out his first
diplomatic mission in Berlin,
More people than I can count
are alive today
because of this man.
So ladies and gentleman please
welcome Mister Harald Edelstam!
[crowd clapping]
My task now on Sweden's behalf
is to assist you
in any way possible to achieve
your goals of your...
Exceptional social project.
And just a moment ago,
I promised your President,
that his ambition to offer
every Chilean child
his daily glass of milk
would be fulfilled.
And you all have my word on
that. Thank you.
[crowd clapping]
Susanne I can tell you I'm not
in agreement with all.
So what you're saying is that
you are above politics?
No, not at all.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
You should meet someone who
loves opera music as much as you
as much as yourself.
-Hallo, Ricardo Fuentes.
-Nice to meet you.
Welcome to our hornet's nest.
Thank you. I have been stung
once or twice, but thankfully,
I am not allergic, so...
[laughs]
Then you are the right man
in the right place.
However, when it comes to
our supply of music,
I'm afraid it's swamped
by noisy folk singers.
-You prefer opera?
-Yes. Verdi.
Personally, I'm stuck on Wagner.
" A Flying Dutchman " fan?
[orchestra playing a waltz]
And with whom do I have the
honor of sharing this dance?
-Ana.
-Ana, hmm.
I am President Allende's
Private Secretary.
Guatemala was in turmoil,
nobody, nobody was safe.
I had guard dogs,
four Doberman Pinschers,
outside of my U. S. Embassy.
Edelstam, outside
the Swedish Embassy,
[chuckling]
What?
He had one pig, a guard pig!
[all laughing]
Edelstam, you know you should
consider coming into business.
I could give you a few tips,
the Colonel and I, we run
a number of enterprises
together.
Yes, trucking companies.
Isn't the present time a little
too shaky for investing?
Well, I would agree with you.
No, no no, this is exactly the
right time, when no-one else is.
Trust me, the chaos
we are experiencing now,
will not go on for ever.
Think about it.
[menacing drum beat]
[distant voices calling]
[water rippling]
There will be three
representatives from BOFUS.
And two from SUS.
And we have this request
from Atlas Copco.
[knocking]
Sorry, I'm afraid I have not
announced myself.
Am I interrupting?
No, no, no, no.
I'd like to invite you for a
ride in my car. Want to come?
Are you always this direct?
Do I scare you Mister
Ambassador?
No.
In fact I'm the one who
should be worried.
Peace and quiet is not exactly
what follows
the Black Pimpernel around.
Oh you know that silly nickname.
This is our main
housing project.
Within three years we'll have
the new houses ready.
Leftwing armed groups
are also located here.
Excuse me.
He's injured!
[children playing in background]
Meet the revolution Mister
Edelstam, that is,
if La Comandante is not in too
much of a hurry.
Ambassador Edelstam?
My humble self, but how... How?
You know my friend, Susanne.
So, that's what you look like.
[melancholic clarinet playing]
I can offer you some
excellent wine, the one thing
the socialists have not grabbed
for themselves yet.
-Feel at home please.
-Thank you very much.
[distant automatic gun fire]
This conspiracy is pushing
us together.
-Fate?
-Coincidence.
Do you really believe
in coincidence?
[flashing sound]
Oh! that's fate!
Oh! This has happened
seven times this week!
Soon we'll be back
in the Stone Age.
Nobody comes here when
the world is upside down!
Thank you, we'll be fine,
thank you so much.
-Okay.
-Thank you.
[footsteps receding]
So the only thing that is
missing is music.
-Cheers! Skol!
-Skol!
What music does
the Black Pimpernel prefer?
Well, I don't know.
-Mmm.
-Why don't you call me Harald?
-Please.
-Harald.
The name behind the mask.
What do you mean? I have no idea
what you talk about.
Like a bird on the wing,
over the seas
without rest, he must roam .
[shouts, dogs barking]
That's " The Flying Dutchman" ,
Wagner.
Condemned to sail for ever
on his ghost ship .
Until he finds the woman
who can release him .
Until he finds a woman.
Flying Dutchman.
[violin playing]
[cat meows]
Oh, it's open.
[sighs] Okay. Good night Harald.
Good night.
[muttering in his sleep]
[dogs barking]
[laughing]
[distorted electronic sounds]
I will not deny that I strongly
disapprove of your appointment.
And as you well know, I am not
the only one of that opinion.
The Swedish Foreign Office
makes it very clear
they're not going to tolerate
any irregularities this time.
First sign of disobedience,
you will be called home.
[papers rustling]
[clears throat]
Well if they got their way,
we'd move heaps of paper around.
Still, I have to put in my
protest in the milk powder deal.
You can't make promises without
proper clearance.
Then I suggest you formalize
that matter Mister Winther.
The delivery of milk powder
must get started,
not in a week,
not in a month, but now.
Children are dying out there.
Thank you.
And Mister Winther, ask the
staff to shine their shoes,
we represent Sweden.
-Do you need help with anything?
-Winther, I've been thinking,
You will not have a proper
presence of Swedish army
Susanne here she knows the whole
network of voluntary aid workers
so she'll handle those records,
it's a part-time job,
I've already done the paperwork.
I'll be gone for
a couple of hours.
-Mister Edelstam?
-I don't have time.
[busy office noise]
Hi!
Will you by chance tolerate
my humble presence?
Has the Ambassador
taken interest
in the lives of the masses.
Let's stop the charade, I want
you to know that you have
my unreserved sympathy.
One day a government-supporter
the next day a revolutionary?
Neither. I support people who do
things, get results, like you.
We. I'm just one out of many.
Quite the place for it.
Sue, do you have the new names?
Ivana Pereira and
Franca Molinas.
[crashing sounds, shouting]
Move! I have orders
to search this place,
and to remove literature and
photographs. Give me that file!
Hey!
This is property of
the Embassy of Sweden.
It is the list of our projects.
Hi, how are we? I'm
the Swedish Ambassador.
My dear friend
Colonel Maldonaldo
will reward you for
carrying out your duty.
I promise to mention your name
next time I see him.
Fair enough.
Let's go!
Yup! Let's go you morons.
We'll see you later.
Have you been raided before?
No, no, no.
I have a suggestion,
I keep this.
Until we find
a safer hiding place.
Why do they call herComandante ?
As long as she's around, so is
the Left, the "real" Left.
So this printing house is
just a front?
No, not at all, they make school
materials for the shanty towns.
Consuelo, she's not a
revolutionary romantic.
[light-hearted melody]
You are a very strange man,
Mister Ambassador!
Hmm...
Where are we going?
Oh, ah, it's straight ahead,
I'll show you.
And you are
a very strange woman!
[both laughing]
[background conversation]
They are here. We got them this
morning, it is too late.
Children are already sick.
-Give me a hand please.
-Sure.
[children laughing]
Careful!
-Does it work?
-Yes.
Consuelo! May I present
Ernesto Octavio
Michelangelo Fartfellow!
Name's not Fartfellow!
What, what did he say?
Name's not Fartfellow!
No, you don't want to know, no.
Aaar!
[romantic guitar melody]
Mister Ambassador I will never
be just one of your...
You're not, you're not.
You are so precious,
so precious.
Harald, are you there?
Are you there?
Harald, you bastard, I hope you
haven't gone to bed already?
Son-of-a-bitch!
[strange electronic sounds,
voices reverberating]
[radio static]
Mister Edelstam.
I would like to speak to
Ana Dominguez.
At the Presidential Palace.
Thank you very much, thank...
Mister Edelstam, the President
is speaking.
Long live Chile! Long live the
people! Long live the workers !
[gun shot]
[martial music]
[sound of bombing]
[military aircraft overhead]
[crashing and exploding sounds,
dogs barking]
[explosions]
[machine gun and artillery fire.]
[sirens, people screaming]
Compatriots! Our country
has been destroyed from outside,
and from within.
A curfew has been declared.
It is prohibited to be outside
on the street.
All those on the street after
curfew will be detained.
Can I have your attention...
[artillery fire, phone ringing]
Can I have your attention, please.
[artillery fire, phone ringing]
Today they turned a black page
in the book of history.
We are part of it...
We have to act.
Go to work.
Mister Edelstam, Miss Martens
called, asked for help.
Susanne, where is she?
She didn't say an address,
mentioned a printing house.
[woman screaming, gun fire]
[gun fire, explosions]
[mournful violin melody]
[gun fire, shouting]
Drive!
[car engine ignites]
I arrived too late.
I saw when they took her away.
[screaming and groaning]
I asked her myself to take my
place for the night.
[mournful violin melody]
[car doors closing]
I'll contact you.
Consuelo, I'll find her,
I promise.
[distant gunfire]
[voices of crowd]
I have permission.
Go ahead.
[helicopters overhead,
dogs barking]
[soldiers shouting orders,
woman screaming]
[running footsteps,
door slamming]
-Who's in charge?
That way.
[cacophony of shouting voices]
I am the Swedish Ambassador
and I demand
-to know...
-Mister Edelstam.
For God's sake what
are you doing here?
I have reason to believe Swedish
citizens are kept in custody.
Swedes? No, not very likely.
Only social rebels
are brought here.
In times of crisis mistakes can
be made, we both know that.
I have no information of who
or how many.
Then find out!
That is way beyond my authority,
please!
-I'm going to find out.
-Please Mister Edelstam,
[soldiers shouting orders]
-Mister Ambassador!
-What's happening?
They are attacking
the Cuban Embassy!
Oh! You can't go out now,
they shoot everybody!
[airplanes overhead, rifle fire]
[shouting and firing]
Who is in charge?
Who is in charge?
[explosions, rapid
machine gun fire]
Get away!
On behalf of Sweden I demand
to talk to the Cuban Ambassador.
What the hell are you doing
here? Are you out of your mind?
There's a curfew, my soldiers
may shoot you at will.
That would not be too smart.
[sustained firing]
Go home Mister Ambassador,
please.
Not until I've talked to my
colleague inside.
And please do I have to remind
you that an attack on
a foreign Embassy will be
considered an act of war...?
Listen to me Mister Ambassador,
this is risky for you okay?
Why don't you take that up with
the country's leadership?
That way no-one will
accidentally do something
that could harm
the interests of Chile.
I can no longer guarantee
your safety.
Thank you very much, thank you
so much. Thank you very much.
[sustained gun fire]
Mister Edelstam! You choose
the strangest places for your
personal protection.
It has to be stopped.
Do the phones work?
For the time being.
We have tried to reach the
Junta, no such luck.
-And the press?
-Associated Press.
But what can they do? At the
very best we will be
on the front pages tomorrow...
[glass smashing]
I was in the Palace, well I was
one of the last to escape.
And Ana?
She was there, with the President.
-Is she alive?
-I don't know.
[glass smashing, artillery fire]
Duck!
[tank firing turret grinding round]
[papers rustling]
Mister Ambassador! I have a
message from the Junta.
Today, the Government
of the Nation,
decided to break diplomatic
relations with Cuba.
All Embassy staff must leave the
country before midnight.
[mournful violin]
Soldiers follow me!
This is Swedish territory.
Sweden has taken the protective
power for this Embassy,
and I warn you,
if you try to stop me,
you are violating
Swedish sovereignty,
and that will have severe
international consequences.
And you will bear the
responsibility.
Troops! Fall out !
Let's go !
Let's get out of here! Go!
Good evening!
It's going to be a long night
and these may
-what you got there?
-Make it a little bit shorter.
What is it?
Best quality guaranteed.
Hand-rolled by the heroes
of the Cuban Revolution!
The military was already
in the Palace.
You couldn't see anything for
the smoke and teargas.
A total mess.
The President wore a helmet
and carried a machine gun.
He ordered us to run for it.
As for himself, he went into
the reception hall,
a few moments later
we heard gunfire.
[cat meows]
Oh! the phone's gone.
-Do you know how to handle cats?
-No but I'll try.
That's the new addition
to our security guard...
-What's her name?
-Let's say...
-Allende.
-Allende?
Allende nine lives.
Mister Edelstam your disposition
concerning the Cuban Embassy
wasn't in any way cleared by
the Foreign Office.
There was no time. Even a wimp
would understand that!
Clear it now!
We may need all the buildings.
Inform the Foreign Ministry
that we are besieged
by refugees.
You know very well that
we cannot do that.
Just do it please.
[clamoring of crowds]
Please! Please!
Seor, please!
[baby crying]
Open the door. Open the door !
Please help me!
Open up!
[woman screaming]
Open your legs! Open your legs!
[woman screaming, baby crying]
[single gun shot]
[hubbub of voices]
[sorrowful melody]
How many Swedes still
unaccounted for?
At least five, maybe more.
[police siren]
Susanne Martens?
Nothing.
[crunching of broken masonry]
-I am the Swedish Ambassador.
-Moment please Seor.
[knocking]
So...
Our last encounter was
not so pleasant Mister Ambassador.
I'm very sorry for that.
We are both doing our own duty.
Yes, precisely.
You should be a military man
Mister Edelstam.
Although I disliked it, you
won an important battle.
Your courage impresses me.
What can I do for you?
There are Swedish citizens
missing.
We believe they may have been
detained by mistake.
We keep a close check on
who we arrest.
Just enemies of law and order.
Hardened fanatics, people who
want to wreck our society.
Unfortunately, parts of the
international press
have misunderstood our purposes.
Our only aim is reintroduce
democratic freedom.
Which the former government
demolished.
Let me show you... Look at this.
-I built all of them myself.
-Oh! I see.
It requires meticulous skill,
surgical precision.
In the same way we cut away
the abscesses on
the body of society.
And we allow no mistakes.
Mister Ambassador, I assure you
There are no Swedes in our
detention centers.
[departing footsteps]
Juana Gonzalez for questioning!
No leave her please!
[shrieks]
Susanne Martens.
[helicopters overhead, gun shots]
Emma Gonzalez Birchens
[helicopters overhead, gun shots]
Daniel de la Cruz, Emma
Gonzalez to questioning.
[hubbub of voices and groans]
[breathing heavily]
It's my heavy duty to convey
a truly sad message to you
Your king is dead.
The news reached us today.
On behalf of the Chilean people
I offer my condolences.
-Thank you.
-As for myself,
I've been a passionate royalist
all my life.
It's my deep conviction that we
should turn our country
into a kingdom like you have.
[distant screams]
People need real ideals
to look up to.
[distant screams]
As a show of sympathy,
I ask is there anything I can do
for you on this day of sorrow.
I would be very grateful if
you would inform
the Swedish Embassy
that I am here.
For the King's sake!
This is the most glorious moment
for our country!
We ask our patriotic countrymen
to provide information
on the whereabouts of
foreign traitors.
We must pull out the evil
by its roots.
We have once more...
[hubbub of conversation]
The phone, Mister Edelstam,
phone call for you.
[sighs]
-Hallo?
-Mister Edelstam.
Yes, yes.
-If you are looking for
a Swedish citizen by the name
Martens,
She is currently at
the National Stadium,
she's not going to be
let out of there alive.
Who am I talking to. Can I...?
[sighs]
[dogs barking]
[sorrowful clarinet melody]
[sound of footsteps approaching]
I have to tell you that I,
I apologize.
Say nothing, it's been
a long time.
I just want to know why you are
exposing yourself like this?
Susanne is in the Stadium,
we have to get her out.
[sighs]
-How?
-Your father.
Forget it! He runs with the
wolves, he always did.
Well change his ways,
change him.
Me? I don't want to see him.
He never committed himself
to anything,
except for the assholes
who feed him.
If he thinks that's the way,
that is right.
But he doesn't think it is right
to punish innocent people,
-I know that well.
-Not as well as I do.
He can go to hell.
[classical violin melody]
Consuelo!
[waltz melody]
Consuelo?
Hallo father.
I need you to listen to me.
For once.
Please listen to me.
Susanne Martens, you have seen
me with her.
She's in the National Stadium.
So?
I want you to get her out alive.
We're not going to have this
argument again.
How do you dare to come here!
You must know you she is
being looked for.
I came for her, find an excuse.
Or be a hero.
Father arrests daughter!
Make a great story
don't you think?
She didn't do anything.
That's what they all say
and look what they did!
Excuse me! Who did what?
Who?
Do you realize who is behind
what's happening?
International capitalism, right?
There are murderers on
every street corner.
Dad, they don't need murderers
on every street corner.
What with ITT, Pepsi and
Chase Manhattan Bank,
there's enough already.
They are the ones making the
decisions, for you.
I think you should leave.
Very well.
Please help me.
I have to pay for what I've
done. Susanne's done nothing.
Please.
[departing footsteps]
[door slamming]
So?
[sobbing]
I wish I had your courage.
You!
[screams and groans]
-Officer.
-Yes Sir.
Bring the Swedish girl,
we have to get rid of her.
[sobbing and whimpering]
[people crying and screaming]
-Move! Move!
-No.
[woman shrieking]
[hubbub of voices]
Do you have a light?
Oh, yes.
-You want one?
-Oh no, I don't smoke.
I just smoke cigars.
Then you
will definitely enjoy this.
Thank you.
[sorrowful melody]
[traffic noise]
[sighs heavily]
You want to ask me something?
There are rumors about
mass executions.
It happens every day.
How many have we managed to
transfer to the Cuban Embassy?
Perhaps 200.
-We're seriously understaffed,
-Exactly.
We can't continue like this.
And the Buticas family needs
a doctor.
-I see, Susanne?
-Yeah?
Is it true that you don't want
to return to Sweden,
in spite what has happened?
Yeah, fear of flying.
-I like it here.
-Good.
From this moment on,
Susanne holds the position of
Second Secretary at the Embassy.
You'll have your own car,
and formally take over
responsibility for the Cuban
Embassy.
And Winther here will take care
of all the formalities.
Enough Edelstam you are
way out of line!
-Decisions like these...
-We make exactly the decisions
that the situation demands.
What is needed now is action,
not discussion.
Do you realize what you are
asking of me Mister Edelstam?
My first duty is to show loyalty
to my superiors.
It's a question of honor.
But you know the military
leadership have sworn
their loyalty to this
country's government?
What was their loyalty worth?
[sighs]
Let me make one thing clear
Mister Edelstam.
Susanne was only released
because of my love
for my daughter
And for the record, I supported
the take-over myself.
It was necessary,
to prevent the country from
plunging into total lawlessness.
Total chaos.
But the medicine turned out
to be a little more bitter
than you had imagined.
The patient is bleeding
to death.
No matter how you look at it,
it is too late.
The process must fulfil
itself, it will fulfil itself.
With or without me.
If I refuse to do my job,
someone would
immediately take my place.
Nothing would be changed.
Do you honestly think that is
a way to define responsibility?
Let me be quite frank,
I know you don't like the
situation we are in,
I know you as a decent, upright
person, a human being,
but is it possible to keep
your honor,
while at the same time
you lose your humanity?
I ask you as a father.
I have just received information
that six Brazilians
await execution
with any luck we'll hand them
over to you tomorrow morning.
Thank you very much.
You are a man of honor.
Thank you very much.
-Pray for me sister.
-Yes I will.
[car accelerating away]
[smashing glass, explosions]
[rapid gun fire]
Careful!
Well, thank you for this very
instructive excursion.
Are ambassadors supposed
to do this sort of thing?
Well in this case I invoke
regional practice.
You have widely overstepped
your bounds
as a foreign diplomat Edelstam.
You should have known that this
game of yours cannot succeed.
It has to stop.
The six Brazilians you wanted
to sneak out of here
have been executed.
So follow me, I have something
to show you.
Watch carefully,
Mister Ambassador.
[trigger clicks]
[gun shot.]
And now I want you to leave.
And never, ever
to show your face here again,
understand?
[sound of vomiting]
This should have been prepared
yesterday.
I'm sorry.
Is there no-one here with a
sense of responsibility?
Must I do everything on my own?
Is it like that?
And this place looks like
a pigsty.
Why haven't these curtains been
washed, we have guests here.
[hysterical laughter,
dogs barking]
[soulful melody]
Leave me alone!
[sobbing]
Go home!
My father...
He was an evil man.
Your father was one of the most
courageous decent persons
I ever met.
You know,
I didn't know him.
I never had the guts to tell him
how much I love him.
Take me with you.
Where? To the Embassy?
No.
Let me go with you.
Anywhere, wherever you go,
always.
What else do you want me to do
Mister Ambassador?
You tell me, what else?
[hysterical sobbing]
[menacing music]
Watch out! Watch out!
Halt! Halt!
Halt! Get out of your vehicle.
You have no right
to violate the diplomatic
immunity of another nation.
Do not do anything that may cost
you your job.
Where I am is Swedish territory.
Thank you.
Open up please, let him through.
Hurry up man for God's sake!
Do you realize who that man is?
Figueroa. A notorious
trade union leader.
-A rabid activist.
-So what?
Sweden has become a dirty word.
Let me tell you straight away,
I myself am sending
a letter of protest to the
Foreign Office.
Not very smart.
Your actions prevents us from
doing what we're expected to do.
Which is?
To protect Swedish interests.
Oh, I see.
Let me be frank.
I requested Foreign Office to
send us a unit of armed guards
to protect Swedish interests.
Armed guards, huh.
Mister Edelstam.
Please, this is for you.
Thank you very much.
I'm here to pick up the
pimpernels I ordered.
Come in.
Ana, thank God!
We have to be quick.
Some-one may have seen you.
You are in great, great danger,
you know that?
We have been collaborating
with our network.
All kinds of people come here
seeking protection.
I find suitable meeting places,
that's where you come in.
Perfect, perfect.
But our opponents have
tightened their grip.
Now even you are in danger.
You have an informer at
the Embassy.
Take your Judas money and get
out of here, get out of here!
And one more thing, tell
your colonel Maldonaldo
that nothing goes on in this
Embassy that we would not
announce to the world press
tomorrow.
That's all. Thank you very
much. Thank you very much.
[sighing]
Her new name will be Nordflyct,
in Swedish,
it means northern flight.
Take good care of her.
[baby crying]
[cicadas chirping]
[rapid gun fire]
Mister Ambassador? There was a
lot of gunfire this time,
but I think Consuelo is alive.
Yes?
That would be difficult,
we have absolutely no capacity
at the moment
what was your name again?
-Ananda.
-Did she say Ananda?
That's Ana Dominguez,
what does she want?
She asked for asylum. That's of
course out of the question.
She's one of the Junta's
most wanted persons.
I regret to say that our
situation makes it impossible
for us to help. I'm sorry.
Now we shall cool down,
both you and me.
There will be no more damage
than has already been done.
Have tonight's invitations
been confirmed?
-Everyone has accepted.
-Perfect, perfect.
Naturally I expect
to see you there.
Good.
Now we're at the ropes and
I need your help.
Tonight four dignitaries from
the Chilean Foreign Ministry
will come to my home, it's just
an informal invitation,
with an important purpose.
You see this case of union
leader Figueroa
has provoked the generals
beyond measure.
So... Good food and wine,
has a way of furthering
international understanding,
and to ensure these dignitaries
don't feel embarrassed,
my residence will not be
under police guard.
I will not go so far as to say
we are in agreement
on every point, that would
be very unfortunate.
Then this kind of gathering
would not be called for.
Would you like?
Yes, please that one.
May I suggest that every exit
permit I sign
will cost two Cuban cigars!
If it is a question of a very
beautiful woman then
I raise the price to ten.
[Door-bell rings]
[all laughing]
You had enough. You okay?
I'm sorry I have to leave
you alone for a while.
Feel at home,
and here is the bathroom.
-I'll be back, is that okay?
-Thank you.
[sighing heavily]
I know, I know what you want
to ask me,
and I'm the first to admit
I am guilty.
But is it too much to ask
for a little...
-Discretion?
-No, no.
So we're not allowed
to meet the lady?
Right now she doesn't want
any company.
The bath tub is
too small for that.
[all laughing]
Oh yeah, we spent
a very nice time!
-Please... Are you okay?
-Yeah, yeah.
Look at all these women.
They're all different.
Yet they're all the same.
[sighs] We need to talk.
You will not find her again.
Not this way.
You are only punishing her
again and again.
Why do you say all this?
The year is 1941,
we are in Berlin.
Here we meet
this young diplomat.
A man without worries.
A man who gets friends
wherever he goes.
A gentleman with
an irresistible charm.
Who can have any woman he wants.
He mingles with high-level Nazis
as well as with communists
and anarchists.
You could say he is something
of an adventurer.
He takes part in hiding 56 Jews
under the stage floor
of the State Opera.
It is there that he meets her.
[singing opera cantata]
Julia.
The young man was lost
from the first moment.
He forgets everything,
his wife, his children.
There is only her.
[wartime band music]
They do nothing to keep
their relationship secret.
Despite the fact Julia is
married and has
an eight year old daughter.
He trusts her blindly.
What the diplomat does not know
is that Julia is half-Jewish.
One day, Julia's husband
is exposed.
[wood smashing and splintering]
So to save herself and
her little daughter,
She reveals the hiding-place.
[woman crying, dogs barking]
[sorrowful melody]
[hysterical laughter]
The little girl cannot take
her eyes off the young man.
The soul in his eyes has died.
[laughter echoing]
And there he stood as
a black pimpernel.
My mother and I escaped with
the help of the Chilean Embassy.
And Julia?
She died a few years later in
a mental hospital in Santiago.
You will find a death you so
obstinately seek,
unless in time you are able to
forgive yourself.
I am not the one you seek.
But out there, there is a person
who needs you.
One who is as wounded in
her soul as yourself.
You will find her at the Maria
Church, she is badly wounded.
Please follow me.
This way.
[speaking in Swedish]
[church bell ringing]
There they are, hurry up!
[tires screeching]
[suspenseful chase music]
[trolley wheels clattering]
She has to be operated on
immediately.
I'll go to the Foreign Office,
I try to do something,
look after her!
Come on! Upstairs!
-Give me the woman now!
-Absolutely not.
I cannot allow any action
during surgery.
In that case we will wait.
Excuse me, excuse me, sorry.
We have orders to take her away
for questioning.
We are not leaving this building
without her.
You have to wait, she's in no
condition to be moved.
She can rest at
the military hospital.
I have order to arrest her!
Bullshit! Do you know how to
read? Do you know how to read?
This document states the patient
is under Swedish protection.
[baby crying in background]
I think we're in trouble.
Military authority confirms
that this woman
must be arrested.
So step back all of you.
Stand back or else...
[grunting and shouting]
Stand to attention!
I've had enough of you
Mister Ambassador.
This!
I've come to pick up
the patient.
And if you don't move aside,
I promise you
in the name of God,
that I will shoot you.
Here and now!
[breathing heavily]
Don't.
Forgive me, forgive me.
[sobbing]
Now I say to you that
once and for all,
It is time to drop
all tactfulness,
that we identify this
murderous regime
and say what it is.
A pack of criminals,
without humanity and dignity.
A seriously ill woman
has been seized from our hands
in total contradiction to all
international laws.
Her case is one among many.
So it's our duty to show
the real face
of this venomous dictatorship.
Thank you very much.
[all talking at once]
Frankfurter Allgemeine, the New
York Times and France Soir,
They all got the story on
their front page.
Good, We'll hold a new press
conference tomorrow.
If we have time. The rumor's
that...
They intend to throw me
out of the country.
They won't get rid of me that
easy, I could become refugee
in my own Embassy!
Mister Edelstam, a visitor.
Thank you.
Oh! Mister Ambassador,
how do you do?
Why such a gloomy expression?
Well, look, ah...
-I'm afraid, um...
-Have a seat.
Thank you.
I'm afraid I don't have
good news for you.
Ah, the government...
Has decided to pronounce you
persona non grata.
So you have three days
to leave the country.
I wish I didn't have to bring
this news to you.
I am sorry for this,
I'm really sorry.
Well no beating around the bush,
I am not surprised.
But if they think they can
shut me up...
Look Harald, listen.
I speak as a friend.
You have done your job here.
The atmosphere has been
whipped up to a point
where things are getting
out of hand, you know?
All parties, and I mean all
parties involved
would prefer to settle this matter
without further commotion.
Certain concessions would
in that case be...
conceivable on the part of
the Government.
I'm really sorry for this,
I'm sorry.
I will cancel the press
conference tomorrow.
If you let her out of the
country, alive.
Edelstam, welcome.
Everything has been prepared.
This way.
[noise of plane taking off]
[soulful melody]
[crowd clapping]