The Swedish Connection (2026) Movie Script
BASED ON REAL EVENTS
I think I can loosen it.
It's just not working!
Wha what is this?
Ah, I don't believe it.
What is this shit they've given us?
- Sven!
- What is it?
See for yourself!
I I need to make the phone call.
STOCKHOLM
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Oh, no!
On 15th July, 1942
Oh, my God!
the alarm was sounded that Germany
had launched an invasion of Sweden.
The war is here! The Germans!
CABINET SECRETARY
SDERSTRM
- They've attacked!
- God!
The Germans have attacked!
They're here! They're coming for us!
- Then we must inform the Foreign Minister.
- Yes.
Oh
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
GNTHER
But what did we do wrong?
We've done all they've asked of us.
- Ring up the German Embassy.
- Oh god, dear God
But of course.
Why would they spare Sweden?
- Norway, Denmark, Belgium
- Shhh
- Yes, hello?
- Oh, good morning.
I'm calling to gather
some information from you
regarding your attack
on Sweden this morning.
What are you talking about?
FALSE
ALARM!
- The Swedes think we're attacking them.
- What?
- Idiots!
- You're not serious?
Excuse me yes, yes, mm
So
That's that, Foreign Minister
THE SWEDISH CONNECTION
I'll return to
In 1942, Sweden was a lonely country
surrounded by German-occupied nations.
They claimed to be neutral,
but agreed to
pretty much anything Hitler asked for.
German troops were allowed
to move freely through the country.
And Swedish industry
supplied the German army
with iron ore and ball bearings.
And at this point,
virtually no one outside of Germany
had any idea
of what was happening to the Jews.
Jews? We're pretty occupied
trying to win this bloody war!
But in Sweden,
they weren't quite as occupied.
PRIME MINISTER
P.A. HANSSON
Excuse me, Prime Minister!
A case regarding a Jewish man?
Uh, no,
give it to the, um Foreign Minister.
- Jewish?
- Yes.
Well, I'm off to the races.
Give it to Sderstrm.
It's not for immigration. No.
It's for Gsta.
Gsta?
Engzell. Bald head.
Downstairs legal department.
He's in charge of asylum cases.
GSTA ENGZELL
LEGAL DEPARTMENPapa
Gran told me you work for Hitler.
What do you do?
Now, now, that's not true at all.
I work in diplomacy.
What's that?
You remember that time
you were playing and kicked a ball
into Jonsson's living room?
Mm-hm.
Well, Jonsson was very angry with you,
but you didn't go over and talk to him.
I went over
and straightened things out with him.
That's diplomacy.
As a diplomat,
sometimes your Papa
has to talk to Sweden's neighbours.
I thought he sat in a cellar all day
and stamped papers.
Yes.
All right then.
What did you say to the Jonssons, Dad?
Well, I
I had to use a little style and finesse.
Hey, no. He took a sponge cake over.
Is that what you call diplomacy, Papa?
Can we please not touch
the wireless, Gran?
It's for listening to the news,
not this awful modern American noise.
Yes, Papa.
So you give sponge cakes
to Hitler then, Dad?
LEGAL DE ARTMENUh Mm.
Engzell? Where is he?
Good afternoon. He's through there.
This is for you.
A Jewish case.
Mrs Johansson?
Thank you. Oh, another one?
Gsta Engzell has been head
of the Legal Department for six years,
which means that he was there in 1938
when Sweden convinced
the German authorities
to stamp a "J"
in the passports of German Jews.
- Great work. Very good. Well done.
- Thanks a lot. A great day.
You might be wondering
why I'm telling you all of this.
Gsta is hardly a household name.
As I was saying
He's a nobody.
Where's the champagne?
But keep watching
and you'll soon find out
what a nobody can do.
Our story starts
one year before I met Gsta.
1942
AGAIN.
- Good morning.
- Hello, good morning.
I'm Rut Vogl. Hello.
Today is my first day.
I'm asking you
to take a closer look at this.
- I really need to get my family safe.
- Yes.
Yes, I totally understand your situation.
But we have rules and regulations
that we simply must adhere to, I'm afraid.
Yeah, it's the sewage pipes.
You'll get used to it.
Welcome to Legal.
Uh, 6.2 metres.
Yes. Write it down, please.
That will add to our argument.
This just this just isn't healthy.
Let me introduce you to Ms Rut Vogl.
- You have space to work there, Ms Vogl.
- Mm-hm.
Uh Vogl?
- Yes.
- Uh-huh.
- Yes, Vogl. She's German.
- Oh. Oh, she's German? I see.
The SS are arresting every Jew
that they round up.
There are so many rumours, I know
They are not rumours.
I have another meeting, I'm afraid.
You can book another and then we'll
W We'll see what we can, can do.
- But there's nothing we can do right now.
- All right.
- Let me show you out.
- No, thank you.
Mrs Johansson, you're supposed
to join me for the cabinet meeting.
- Ms Rut Vogl will join you.
- Who's Ms Rut Vogl?
- My replacement for when I retire.
- Oh.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Here are the dimensions of the office.
So Mr Engzell, don't you come back
with anything less than
a new, larger office.
Yes, yes, yes.
There are reports
of some further unrest in Norway.
Recently,
around 100 Jewish men were arrested.
The Norwegians have handled it
by not allowing the press
to write about it.
And Nils-Erik, you need to make sure
the Swedish press doesn't either.
Yeah. Yes, of course.
Nils-Erik Eklund.
Or "Censor-Nils" as he was known,
was in charge of Sweden's self-censorship
via the State Information Agency.
All articles that were
in any way related to the war
had to be
personally approved by Nils-Erik.
GERMAN WEAPONS SHIPPED
THROUGH THE COUNTRY
CENSORED
GERMAN SAUSAGES SHIPPED
THROUGH THE COUNTRY
It's all under control.
- The screws are tightened.
- Good.
Hitler is said to have recently conveyed
his anger about Sweden.
Specifically because of the press.
All right.
With that said,
we can conclude today's meeting.
Yes, uh, that's right.
Mr Engzell has a report for us.
Mr Engzell.
- Uh, apologies, but I have to get going.
- Mm. Yes.
Some of you might have some other meetings
that you need to attend.
You're free to go.
I'd like to report that, uh, um
during August and September
a number of what we considered to be, uh..
Uh strong cases were rejected
by the Office of Immigration.
PAULSON
IMMIGRATION OFFICE
What are you trying to say exactly, man?
The pressure is upon us
and we are feeling it mount.
And we also have an issue
with the size of our office space.
Mr Engzell, you want to discuss
the dimensions of your office?
Here?
That was roughly what it was,
that there are certain parameters
to take into account
No, no, no. For God's sake.
That just won't do.
Sderstrm's toilet must be
twice as big as our entire office.
Take it easy, please.
He doesn't have his own toilet.
You know that.
Uh Really?
You told them that we're drowning
down here, right?
We're literally drowning.
- In faeces!
- Let's put this on hold for now.
Thanks.
Mr Engzell, you have the consulate
in Oslo on line one. Go ahead.
- Uh, but
- Svante look, calm down.
- I am calm! You calm down!
- All right.
- I'm trying to sort this mess!
- Yes.
What's your answer then?
- Yes, this is Engzell.
- It's Claes Westring.
Hello, hello there.
THE CONSULATE IN
OSLO
How how are things?
- Fine thanks, quite well.
- Formal complaint? To who?
You know?
So you've surely heard about the Jews
who were arrested over the weekend?
All of the, the male Jews in Trondheim.
- As well as 100 here in Oslo.
- I know. But they
Do you know whether
they'll be released or not?
One of them is a Swedish citizen.
And I want your, uh, mandate
to submit a note verbale.
DIPLOMATIC MEMORANDUM
For for us to get
a release for this person.
Oh.
Mm.
Can you hold for a minute?
- my head against a brick wall.
- Svante!
It's pointless! So pointless!
There's no use in talking to Engzell!
I know you're right.
So what do we do? What do we do now? Huh?
We can't rely on him!
He's too much of a a coward
to even talk to Sderstrm!
Hello?
We have to do something ourselves.
We need to act. We need to act!
It's a mess, I agree.
W5e'll sort something
Yes, hello. Uh
No, I don't think
that is at all appropriate this time.
I'm talking about just one!
Uh, thanks for you call.
Maybe we should go to a higher authority!
- To Sderstrm?
- Why not?
I think that, Mr Westring, you
you should still submit the note verbale.
Stockholm were very clear.
You heard it yourself.
Yes, but a Swedish citizen
is now sitting in a Norwegian jail.
Are you afraid
of being reprimanded, is that it?
"Afraid"?
Mr Engzell. Um
We've just been having a little chat.
And since we're getting
so many Jewish cases,
and the office is so cluttered
We suggest
that we archive as much as we can.
As soon as we can.
Uh
Yes.
BETWEEN WARSAW AND BERLIN
VON OTTER
SWEDISH DIPLOMA- Have a seat.
- Oh, thank you.
That is very friendly.
- Do you want one?
- No, thank you.
You're not from Germany.
No, I'm from Sweden.
What are you doing in Poland?
I'm working for
the Foreign Ministry in Sweden.
So you're here on behalf
of the Swedish government?
Yes. Although, I'm afraid
that it doesn't pay very well.
Yourself?
My mission isn't
exactly military in nature.
It's utter insanity.
Or more like perverse.
I'm sorry?
Perhaps you've heard of
the "Final Solution"?
No.
What final solution?
It is not a solution.
There's a genocide going on.
If I tell you this
you have to promise me
that you will pass it on
to the Swedish government.
- Mr Engzell?
- Yes?
The Germans in Oslo have released
a Jew with a Swedish connection.
- What?
- It's true!
We How come?
Uh, they accepted a note verbale
which was submitted
by the Swedish consulate.
Bu but I told them not to act.
And they accepted it.
- Yes.
- That was highly unexpected.
Yes.
Now the man wants to return to Sweden.
I understand that.
So let's get in touch
with Immigration right away.
But is that necessary?
This doesn't concern them.
He has Swedish citizenship.
Yes, that's true.
And Oslo can issue a provisional passport.
Yes. Good idea.
Why don't we do that for all of them?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
We must follow the rules here.
But all the Norwegian Jews are in danger.
But there are there're many rumours.
But Mr Engzell, 300 cases a day.
Can they all be rumours?
All the correspondence
says they don't know where
their relatives have been taken.
They were sent to labour camps.
- I understand, but what
- They were never heard from again.
Wh What are you saying?
That they murder everybody?
This isn't just paper.
This is people.
Look at these.
Foreign Minister.
Sderstrm.
I have just talked
to one of our diplomats in Berlin.
- Richert?
- No, uh someone called "von Otter."
An underling who broke protocol.
What did he want?
He, uh
He had
He had met an SS officer who
Now you must bear in mind
that this is absolute hearsay, so
Well, this SS officer had been at a camp
Where they
They're exterminating the Jews.
Oh, God.
They are told
that they're going to have a shower,
but it's actually poison gas.
Supposedly they number
in the thousands every day.
There are rumours all over
But you can't report that.
No.
Of course not.
All right.
All right Good.
- Mr Sderstrm
- You heard what we were speaking about?
No.
Uh, actually a little.
I was lost in my own thoughts.
You know these are nothing
but ugly rumours.
You surely realise that?
And if it did turn out to be the truth,
by any chance,
for some extraordinary reason,
there isn't absolutely anything
that we can do about it.
- Do you understand?
- Yes.
I do, yes.
Good evening.
Good evening.
"Schultz".
Let him in.
"Schwerkovic".
But why should we give a visa to him?
Well, he spent a lot of his upbringing
in Sweden, between 5 and 22.
But I can see he's 39 now?
Yes, he's worked as an interpreter
at the Swedish Ball Bearing Factory
in Brno.
You have to be able
to read between the lines, Engzell.
Read between the lines.
He is a Jew, yes?
I'll write a "no" by Schwerkovic.
That is correct, Engzell,
damn right you will!
"And it was cold at home as well."
"She had pulled
her tiny legs up beneath her,
but now, the Little Matchstick Girl
was even colder."
Are you crying, Papa?
No, no. No, it's, uh
It's just my allergies.
You you know how I get them.
Ah Maybe we should
read another book tonight.
Should all of this be packed away?
- Yes, that's right.
- But
All of these are "weak cases" ?
Precisely.
We won't get anything done at this rate.
We should pick up the pace a little.
- But why is this one a weak case?
- What are their names?
Uh, Bondy. They're twins.
- Ah. Oh.
- Boys.
- And their mother.
- Oh?
And their mother remarried
a Swedish man.
She lives in Copenhagen because
they're not allowed to enter Sweden.
But the children are still in Prague.
He's not their biological father?
No.
Well, it's a weak case.
They have a Swedish connection.
Their step-father is from Sweden.
Those are the rules.
I think it's just as awful as you do.
Truly. Mm.
There are some piled up here
and some over there.
Mm-hm.
And we have more here. Yes.
- Excuse me.
- Oh.
- Ah, Ms Nilsson!
- Mrs.
Hm, let's see. All these boxes are going.
- You can take them down to the archive.
- Uh huh.
There are boxes piled up over there too.
- [Svante[ Go ahead.
- I'll make a start carrying these ones.
Excellent.
Hold on a minute!
- Let's just take it easy, please!
- Mm.
Uh, uh, Ms Nilsson, this is to stay here.
- What What are you talking about?
- Yes?
This is going to the archive.
Uh Wait.
They're they're not going to the archive.
They're going back there.
No, no, no. For God's sake.
Oh sorry, could you just
decide on what we're doing here?
- Yes, well
- It's all going
It's it's all going
down to the archive!
- Give it here.
- No
Hey, hey, hey. Get off
There!
- Now, down to the archive.
- No.
Huh?
We had a meeting about this, didn't we?
Where we decided by
by, by, by a solid majority
that all of it would have to be removed.
- So go ahead. Take it down to the archive.
- I'm telling you to stop!
Now listen, I'm the boss here.
You want us to open up
all these damn investigations again
just 'cause the Germans
have released one Jew in Oslo?
Because he was Swedish.
And his application went through.
So that's why I want us to go through
all these applications one more time,
and to prioritise the Norwegian Jews.
But you know,
there are over 7,000 cases here!
If we can save one.
If we can save just one more person,
by us simply doing our job
Then by God we should try.
I'll take these boxes.
UmYou can take those.
What about the Immigration Office?
They won't need to be involved.
- Oslo can issue provisional passports.
- What?
It worked well last time.
Right, Mr Engzell?
- That's right. Exactly.
- Mm-hm.
It's just that it
it'll be pitch black in here
with all the boxes
stacked up blocking the light.
Mrs Johansson. I have these for you
Twenty five more cases of Norwegian Jews
with a clear Swedish connection.
Make sure to send them over
to the consulate in Oslo straight away.
And inform them
that this is just the beginning.
There are at least
another 150 that we can get out.
Mr Sderstrm.
- Mrs Johansson. Fancy seeing you here.
- Mm.
Well, uh everything well?
In the basement?
With Mr Engzell and everything?
Nothing strange going on?
No No.
Very good.
- Thank you for asking.
- Good. Excellent.
Apparently, uh
Engzell overheard a rumour.
Probably false.
But, uh it would be unfortunate
if it spread around.
Well I just haven't heard anything. No.
That's good.
Ah, so
Mr Sderstrm is going to Sdermalm?
Excuse me!
Can you stop the tram? Hello? Excuse me!
WEAK
- Hm
- We're looking for weak cases.
STRONG
If the Germans will approve
an application with a weaker connection,
then that would surely set a precedent
that we could use.
Making it easier
to get cases approved in the future.
PRECEDENT -
DECISION THAT SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE
FOR RESOLVING SIMILAR FUTURE CASES
Uh we have the twin boys from Prague.
- The Bondy boys?
- Yes.
Their mother lives in Copenhagen.
Yes, she remarried a Swedish man.
But he's not the biological father?
No, but he is like a father to them.
The boys are stuck in Prague.
Too weak.
The Germans would just never approve it.
Why? Joseph wasn't the father of Jesus.
Would the Germans think
that was a weak connection too?
- Yes, hello?
- We got a no.
What d'you mean, "no"? I don't understand.
They have no jurisdiction, they're saying.
If I'm to even be let
into the prison, then
then we'll just simply
have to ask Berlin first.
Do that, then.
- What?
- Goodbye, Westring.
I found it.
The Bondy boys.
How old are they?
Eleven.
BERLIN
SWEDISH EMBASSY
von Otter.
- You're being sent to the Foreign Office.
- Uh, what for?
The consulate in Oslo
wants to be given access to a prison
to talk to some Jews.
And they need permission from Berlin.
You'll handle the individual cases.
Here are 150 of them.
Also
Stockholm wants to locate
a pair of twins in Prague.
I've no idea why that is.
Here's the note verbale.
Uh Yes, hello.
My name is Gran von Otter.
- I would like to
- Go and wait over there.
Mm.
Mm.
Heil Hitler.
- So you're the Swede?
- Yes.
What can I do for you? Hm?
Yes, um, should we not
Mr Gran von Otter.
It happens there's a war on.
- Get to the point.
- Understood. Um
Our consul in Oslo
wishes to visit a prison,
um to find out if, uh,
any of the prisoners there
may have a connection to Sweden.
I'll take care of it for you.
Yes
Oh and II, uh
I, uh, I also have a note verbale.
Regarding?
A pair of twins
who've been separated from their parents.
I don't believe it.
We weren't allowed
into the prison in Oslo either.
Oh, damn it.
- Gsta Engzell! Are you here?
- Oh, Sderstrm's bloodhound.
- Yes?
- You need to go up and see Mr Sderstrm.
Uh I'm in a meeting right now.
Can't it wait a few minutes?
I wouldn't recommend it.
Very good. Great. Great.
Ah, Engzell.
Germany's highest-ranking representative
here in Sweden.
Consul-General Victor zu Wied.
Consul-General, let me introduce you
to the head of our Legal Department.
Mr Gsta Engzell.
Heil Hitler.
Sit.
Gentlemen. It has come to our attention
that in Oslo it seems there is
a very large number of Swedish Jews!
In fact, it looks like around
half the Jewish population in Norway
might be eligible to apply
for Swedish citizenship. Huh!
We happen to have been looking in
Engzell.
Understand that
you're navigating stormy waters.
Do you believe that Eichmann
can't close this loophole when he wants?
Now, who is it
that this German is using as a threat?
He is 36 years old.
He plots on his billiards table.
But instead of billiard balls,
it's people on freight trains.
He's known for, well,
how should one put it precision.
And is in charge of
the so-called "Final Solution."
Unfortunately, we'll see him again soon.
EICHMANN
SS LIEUTENANT COLONEL
Yes, we understand, obviously.
And Mr Engzell here
will take great care to ensure
that the Swedish-German relations
remain the absolute top priority.
That's right, Mr Engzell?
Naturally.
- Naturally.
- Huh.
Well then, I won't take up
any more of your time, gentlemen.
May I?
Thank you.
Heil Hitler.
Bye.
Just sit down.
Mr Engzell, do you know
what the Americans do with the Jews
who want to migrate?
They just stall their applications.
They request certificate after certificate
to prove this, that, or whatever
To make sure they give up.
That's how they operate.
The great land of the West.
The war will soon be over.
And it will end with Germany becoming
the absolute superpower, trust me.
And if we've been too soft
in dealing with the Jews,
then we will suffer the consequences.
Do you think that I'm not keeping an eye
on what you're up to down there?
But then what?
Soon, when all of your smart thinking
has gone completely to hell,
what will you do then?
Do you actually believe that any of us
up here would be willing to save you?
The hell we would.
We'll send you off to Moscow.
All of you, round you up.
You might be wondering
why Sderstrm is threatening him
with Moscow.
MOSCOW
For a long time,
it was difficult for Swedes
to see Hitler as the worst dictator,
when Stalin was wreaking havoc.
It was not uncommon for Swedish diplomats
to be summoned to meetings
in the middle of the night.
When it was bitterly cold.
And you could never be sure
if it was just vodka in the glass.
It seems that Hitler
has found out what we're up to here.
- Yes, well, I haven't said anything.
- No.
I It's my fault.
We moved too quickly.
We shouldn't have brought up
both the Bondy boys and the prison
at the same time.
Don't bite off more than you can chew.
My God, we can't save them
one after another.
No. That's why I suggest we go back
to our original way of working.
What is it that you're not getting
in your life, Mr Hellstedt?
You're new here, Ms Vogl.
And I can inform you
that Jews have been arrested before.
And released.
Without us having to wave
our Swedish flags.
It must feel good
to live with blinders on.
What is this fucking great farce?!
We're talking about a Norwegian prison,
not a German labour camp!
Hm. Mm.
Who hired her?
Didn't we ask her for references?
It wouldn't be the first time.
And you've nothing to add here?
- What do you want me to say?
- You can at least say something, damn it!
- What?
- Do I have to handle all of this myself?
Hey, how was your day, Stig?
Are you all right?
Yes I am, Papa.
Can you read to me tonight?
No, nnot tonight.
Oh, please?
Gran!
Yes, what?
That noise needs to stop right now,
you hear me? Now do it!
At dawn on 26th November, 1942,
all of Oslo's taxis were dispatched,
with two police officers in each,
to round up Jewish women,
children, and the elderly.
Good morning.
What's happened?
Where are you taking us?
We've done nothing wrong.
We're just trying
to live our lives honestly
This is an injustice!
We heard from Westring.
He called us from Oslo
and said they've rounded up all the Jews.
And put them on a boat
bound for a German death camp.
I thought it was all
just for show, honestly. Uh
- Just for show
- Yes I know
They took everyone
they could fit on the boat.
Women, children,
the elderly, all of them. Over 700.
God knows where they're headed. Gsta
Uh but but we can archive
all the Norwegian cases now, yes?
Oh for God's sake, shut up, will you?
Mr Engzell,
the Swedish relatives
have a right to know what's happened.
I know.
But we have this damn censorship.
The press aren't allowed
to write about it.
You know, you don't think we could
get Censor-Nils to change that, do you?
How do we do that?
Should I just waltz into his office
and convince him that he should
lift the restrictions on the press
Exactly! Why not do that?
That's how we'll do it.
The Swedish relatives are going to wonder
why their loved ones in Norway
haven't been in contact.
And I can guarantee you
that there will be questions.
There's going to be so much to answer for.
Yes, and the press
won't even be writing about Germany.
They will be writing about Censor-Nils
and how he withheld all the information.
But I don't even know Nils.
I don't think he'd listen to me.
But Sderstrm would.
He is above Censor-Nils, isn't he?
I certainly wouldn't want to be
Nils, clearly.
Considering the situation
with the Norwegian Jews.
- Oh oh, you're right, definitely.
- Hm.
And I'm sure
there'll be a lot of relatives in Sweden.
Hm. And did you know
that several of the deported Jews, they
actually had Swedish passports
not Norwegian.
And as soon as
their relatives here in Sweden
start wondering where they've gone,
they'll be questioning us all.
And you know the press
won't be writing articles on Germany,
but on Nils
and the department of information.
You don't actually think
that I'm that stupid?
Damn Uh
1,000 JEWS SENT TO POLAND
PERSECUTION OF JEWS
REACHES NEW PEAK
JEWS DEPORTED TO POLAND
How could this end up in the newspapers?
1,000 JEWS SENT TO POLAND
Our assessment was
that the news would have reached Sweden
sooner or later anyway, Sir.
Later would have been better.
We're being inundated
with calls from citizens
demanding that we act against it.
All the while,
I'm being scolded by Berlin.
Damn it!
Yes, yes, yes.
Who is actually in charge of the Jews?
Uh Uh
Sderstrm?
The Prime Minister has asked a question.
- Uh
- Who's responsible?
Uh, the Jews?
Fantastic, we don't know
who's in charge of the Jewish issue.
We had classified it
as a "non-issue" before.
But no longer though.
- No.
- So who?
I would say that it's Engzell.
Gsta Engzell. Legal.
And where is he now?
- Get him here immediately.
- Of course.
- Just get him here, God damn it!
- Go, go, get him will you!
That's fantastic. I can't believe it.
- Where is Engzell?
- He's talking to Oslo.
He'll need to stop that now.
Engzell.
What the hell is going on in Norway?
Can we expect them to be returned?
- The Jews?
- Yes.
No, I don't think we can.
So you mean they're sending
Scandinavians to death camps?
- Yes, it would certainly seem so.
- Death camps?
Excuse me, but does that mean
that these rumours are something
that we have to start taking seriously?
Are there any Swedes on the boat?
There's one.
- But it's a mistake.
- Oh, what do you mean?
The Germans have been sparing
all Jews who have a Swedish connection.
Yes, that's right. They're still here.
- I see.
- It's true, you understand me?
- There's no doubt about it.
- All of them?
Yes, all of them.
Before the Germans
rounded up all the Norwegian Jews,
we had sent several notes verbales
concerning those who had
a connection to Sweden.
They all have a Swedish connection then?
- Those Jews have been released.
- A glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Um, uh
And so, what do we do now?
The press are demanding action,
but Hitler wants us to keep quiet.
Any suggestions?
- Um, uh
- Mm.
The thing is
there's around 100 Jews still in Norway.
Mm-hm.
But I imagine
they'll also be deported soon.
Unless Sweden takes them all in.
Sorry um
So Sweden takes the Jews in? I think not.
That will mean that all the Jews in Europe
will come to Sweden.
And, I mean, that is
they are, after all, in their millions.
Hitler will consider this
a downright insult.
But what if this
is dealt with unofficially?
- Unofficially?
- Wait, wait, wait.
Go ahead, Engzell.
The press are alerted
that we have sent an unofficial request
to take in the remaining Jews from Norway.
Mm.
But since it's unofficial
the press can't write about it, correct?
Oh, dear God.
And that way,
the Germans cant lose face, can they?
We act
but we don't act.
- Hm.
- Mm.
- Good plan.
- Excuse me one second
- Should we go ahead with it then?
- It's interesting
Excuse me, but are we considering
entry to the Jews just like that?
Without any parliamentary decision?
We're certainly not going to
let in any Jews "just like that."
No.
We can't be sure
the Germans would agree to it anyway.
But the press will leave us alone.
It's perfect.
Meeting concluded.
- Foreign Minister, we can't just allow
- I said, the meeting is concluded.
God! Engzell can you stay here?
Mm.
Finally, I would like to remind you
that I'm your immediate superior,
which means that
you report directly to me.
And if anyone decides
to go against our guidelines,
I can inform you that our man in Moscow,
Mr Assarsson,
would love a change of position.
Can I interest anyone
in Assarsson's position in Moscow?
Right now, we have 50,000 from Holland.
And here, we have the French in Paris,
rounding up as many as they can.
Hmm. Hm.
Have you already heard about
the unofficial telegrams from Sweden?
The Swedes are using
their position shamelessly.
Just because Gring
has a weird soft spot for that
ridiculous land, for some reason.
But of course,
you are keeping an eye on it, are you not?
Oh, absolutely.
There won't be any more from them.
They know their place.
Good.
Based on the Norwegians
whose Swedish connections were approved,
I've got another 25 Jews from Belgium
and Holland that we should inquire about.
Twenty five for Engzell.
POSSIBLE CASES
- Hellstedt?
- Hm I have 20.
- Twenty.
- Just about.
- Hallonsten?
- Yes? Yeah, yeah, I have 10.
And I have 25.
- Ms Vogl?
- Uh, 85.
It's not enough.
Writing individual notes verbales
won't work in the long run.
We must establish a precedent
that covers a wider range.
So what do we do?
The Bondy boys.
But they've already rejected the boys.
Can't we find another case that
we think would be easier to get approval
than the Bondy one?
Forgive me, Mr Engzell,
this is a good profile.
It's just weak enough.
But this time,
you'll have to take it higher up.
Mmm.
Can I see the papers again?
It would be a fine bureaucratic pirouette.
von Otter! Von Otter!
I'm here!
Right. Thank you.
So Engzell sent the Swedish diplomats
back to the
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The bureaucrat they met with
was Martin Luther.
Ah, hello
No, no relation to the
well, the other, well known one.
Good to see you.
He was the German Foreign Minister
Ribbentrop's right-hand man.
Even Eva Braun has sent something.
I'll show you, here.
- Oh.
- This is from Eva Braun.
Oh, and in the package,
there was this from the Fhrer.
This is the turtle shell present
from the Fhrer.
Brilliant.
- Isn't it just
- Isn't it?
Will you try?
- Hm?
- Mm-hm.
They were
they were, um, caught in a raid in Prague.
And then they were taken.
Really, surely not?
And the children are Swedish nationals?
I in theory, uh,
but unfortunately not on paper.
But the connection is, uh, quite clear.
Their father is a Swedish citizen.
But the children are Jews?
It would serve the
Swedish government's view of Germanys
great virtue,
if this problem could be solved.
Do you mean
that some Jewish twins in Prague
would be entitled to Swedish citizenship?
Is that what you're saying?
- Uh, uh um
- Uh, yes.
Yeah, good. Absolutely.
Where are they now?
Yes, well, we're, uh
we're uh not certain.
But perhaps in, uh, Theresienstadt.
Theresienstadt? Wonderful!
- You'll get the authorisation.
- Mm. Thank you.
What is it?
They'll be reunited with their parents.
- Yeah, damn right!
- Oh. Take it easy. Now, now, come on!
I'm going out to buy coffee and cake.
Put your order in, whatever you want.
- Let me help you.
- A doughnut.
- And I would like a a klent, please?
- I also want a klent, or whatever.
- Order anything.
- Should we get a sweet loaf?
A sweet loaf?
Forget the klent.
If we get a sweet loaf, we can share.
No, I think we should get a large cake.
Today is a feast!
As long as we can justify it.
They're very strict
about the internal budget.
I'll take it out of my own pocket.
Because I'm retiring next month,
and then I won't be able
to afford even biscuits.
- Let's do it!
- Yes!
Now the word was spreading
across Europe and around the world
that Jews could get diplomatic protection
by writing to Sweden.
Havin' their fling again
Younger than spring again
Feelin' that zing again, wow
Ooh!
Mr Engzell.
Here is a letter
from a woman from Salt Lake City,
who wants to get
her nephew out of Austria.
And what's the connection?
He works for the
Swedish Ball Bearing Factory in Vienna.
Approve and continue.
I've got one who spent summers
in Sweden as a child.
Approve it.
Ah, a Hungarian
who studied at Uppsala University.
This one is from a man
who worked in Gothenburg, in shipping.
- We can approve that one.
- Yes. Done.
They have an elderly aunt
who lives there by herself.
DO YOU WANT TOTAL WAR
Why is this taking so long?
Reichtsfhrer.
Please, excuse me.
The Swedes have started making
extensive inquiries about
Swedish Jews.
Hm. And how many are there?
Almost every territory
with a Swedish consulate
has sent a note verbale regarding
Jews with an alleged
Swedish connection, so
There are quite a few.
Hmm.
The Swedes are now actually trying
to save Jews, you're saying?
Yes.
And that leads to an additional problem.
This is unbelievable!
The more our officials have to deal
with matters regarding the Final Solution
the more they start to, um
How to say it?
They are beginning to think
Not everyone's
a staunch National Socialist.
This time you must
double-check the fastenings!
Come on, man
Hm.
Then let's change the regulations.
"As of 31st March,
foreign citizenship will no longer
be accepted as an exemption."
What? Let me see.
But but why have they
changed the regulations?
So if they're looking for
a bureaucratic war,
then that's damn well
what we'll give them.
We'd like to know whether
the new rules that are about to come in
will affect half-Jews as well?
Half-Jews?
- Mm.
- Yes, naturally.
It is essential
that we decipher this correctly.
And, uh,
what is the ruling about quarter-Jews?
Yes, they'll likely fall under that too.
I, uh can double-check that.
And, uh what about one-eighth Jews?
Let me write the question down
- I'll take care of it for you.
- Very good.
Well Because there are
also one-sixteenth Jews
and, uh, one-thirty-second Jews.
What rules do they fall under?
It's important that we understand this.
Yes, I'll find out.
Very good.
Then we'll wait to enforce the rule
until you've clarified everything.
Don't let her rumba
After all, your own Fhrer is apparently
one-sixteenth Jewish himself.
It would be unfortunate
if you had to deport him too.
- Budapest, 20.
- Good.
- Ah
- Really good!
- Seven more than last time.
- Absolutely.
- Excellent news.
- Engzell?
- His office is here.
- I never doubted it!
Vienna, 75 people.
Excellent.
- What the hell do you think you're doing?
- What do you mean?
Berlin is threatening me with a blow lamp.
I have been told that we're claiming
that an assortment of Jews are Swedish.
- Well
- Uh, uh What kind of cases are these?
Why is it the
Immigration Office hasn't seen them?
And, uh, why haven't I seen them?
Well, there's no reason for you to.
They're Swedish citizens.
- That's not how I understood it.
- Oh, for goodness
I understood it to be about Jews
who simply have never
even set foot in Sweden!
Just hold on, Paulson. Look here
Our policy is to stay neutral.
And is this neutral, Engzell?
What you people down here
don't understand
No one here
has any idea about what's
What on earth's that sound?
Uh, the pipes for the sewage. Yes
It comes all the way
down from the third floor.
- That's right.
- Mm.
The sewage?
We've pushed for a larger office,
but it hasn't been approved.
I have the measurements in this drawer.
Mind yourself, Engzell.
Mind yourself.
Mind yourselves carefully,
all of you, you hear me?
So, where were we now then?
How naive they all are.
You're absolutely right.
There must be consequences for Engzell.
It costs so much money, also.
It's not free to bring in the Jews.
- It costs money.
- Mm.
Exactly! It costs money!
Now I know who can set Engzell straight.
Call Ehrenpreis! Now!
Welcome, welcome.
EHRENPREIS
JEWISH CONGREGATION
Mr Engzell.
No one could be more grateful
than we are for all the work you're doing.
- We're just doing our job.
- Yes.
Not everyone who comes here
is a banker, one might say.
They have no possessions.
Everything has been confiscated.
They are, quite simply, destitute.
So, how can we help them?
Uh Sorry. When, when you say "we",
and when you say "help",
uh, you mean
that you're financially responsible
for those who come here?
Uh. Yes, it is a little paradoxical,
you might say.
The more we help, the less we can help.
Was it really this way?
Yes, according to
a 50-year-old Swedish law,
every religious congregation
was financially responsible
for its members.
And now, the Swedish-Jewish congregation
was almost out of money.
So
So you, as a Jewish congregation,
will have to deny them?
No, no. We won't deny anyone.
We would never do that.
But, um
Yes, I'm sorry,
from where do we get the money?
This is truly a Gordian knot. Hm?
- Gentlemen, excuse me.
- What is a Gordian knot, do you know?
A difficult problem,
but with an easy solution.
Ah.
We've received a letter
from the Bondy Boy's parents.
- Mm. And?
- The boys haven't appeared.
But
Contact whoever signed off
on the note verbale.
- He must be held to account.
- We can't do that.
They removed him
and sent him off to a concentration camp.
What? Let go of me.
He apparently tried
to oust their Foreign Minister.
So what about the boys then?
Where are they?
They could be in a camp in Theresienstadt.
Can't be
Can we confirm that any way then?
Yes, well, uh,
we can always go there and look for them.
Uh, that's not a bad idea, Hallonsten.
Good that you suggested that.
OUTSIDE THERESIENSTADThis appears to be the right road.
Good.
I really need to eat something. Uh
Craving chicken pt.
Do you think we can get that around here?
It's not that likely.
Papers.
Sweden? Mm?
What do you want?
We we, uh we're here
representing the Swedish embassy.
And, uh, mean to inquire
after two children, if you will.
They are Swedish citizens
that are said to be held here.
Do you happen to have a permit?
Oh, well, yes.
We've spoken with, uh, Berlin about it.
But they haven't had time to reply.
It's very urgent, so
- He he took our passports.
- Yes, you are right.
We should move.
- Your entry's been denied, gentlemen.
- Right, we should leave then
Ah, but, um,
can't we just come in for a second?
- We only have a few quick questions.
- Now, go!
Yes, uh, we understand. Yes.
- Where the hell are we?
- Uh, it doesn't look too bad.
It's definitely not chicken pt, is it?
Thank you.
The same for me, thanks.
Excuse me, can I ask you a quick question?
We're looking for a pair of twins.
They're supposed be here in the camp.
Do you know how
we can find out more about them?
What are you talking about?
Do you know anyone who works in the camp?
A guard, for example?
We have money.
The boys are alive.
Oh, thank God.
Just as we suspected,
they are currently
being held in Theresienstadt.
There is a problem though.
They are in a so-called
"Transit Camp", aren't they?
- Which means that they're going to be--
- Moved on quickly.
The entire German Foreign Ministry
will know who the Bondy Boys are.
I'll go speak with
the Foreign Minister.
Sderstrm will never let you get past him
just for a couple of children.
Did I say that
I was going to go via Sderstrm?
- Ms Vogl, can you join me?
- Yes.
I'd rather it didn't involve me.
Understood.
It appears we have an opportunity here
to set a precedent.
If we can bring these children here,
then it could mean
that we can help even more of them.
We all know
what's been happening in those camps
If anything goes wrong,
you Engzell, are responsible.
Do you understand?
Long before D-Day,
and long before
the Soviet armies crushed Berlin,
three Swedish diplomats,
on the order of Engzell,
assaulted the German Foreign Ministry.
I would like to see Mr Grundherr.
- Please, sir.
- Thank you.
I have an appointment with Grobgeld.
Thank you.
I'm here for Mr Gtz.
Perhaps the toughest attack
by the Swedish tiger since
Well ever.
You've already accepted a note verbale
regarding the the 11-year-old
twin brothers we talked about.
And you also made the promise that you
Yes, we certainly would appreciate, um,
an immediate and positive response
to our formal request.
Minister, this is really bad.
This is more than bad, dreadful.
Listen just calm down, Sderstrm.
This is about getting children
returned to their parents in Sweden.
This is about children
returning to their parents in Sweden.
Where are the children?
Uh, Minister, you should've come to me!
Obviously, if if they're upset
We can make an example
of the Legal Department.
We can make an example.
That's good. We'll make an example.
That way, we can show the Germans
that we're taking action.
Perfect approach.
- Yes, Foreign Minister.
- Excuse me, Foreign Minister.
We had agreed
that I would call you after lunch.
Have you heard yet from Berlin?
The children can come home.
But you've created
one hell of a mess with this, Engzell.
Sderstrm's office in one hour.
- Mm.
- That will be all.
Yes. Thanks so much.
Our man in Moscow
will be replaced.
Understood.
Will you need me to suggest
a person for the position
No, no. We want you to take over.
Together with your department.
Moving our entire department
to Moscow right now is a little
MOSCOW
Oh, my! Is there a celebration tonight?
- Representation.
- Oh, very good.
Good job today, Mr Engzell.
Thanks.
Uh, so what did Sderstrm want earlier?
Um, he mostly wanted
to congratulate us about the Bondy Boys.
Ahh, right.
Are you getting a pay rise then?
Uh
Well, that would require
a World War to end. Mm.
- We'll fit that in tomorrow.
- Mm.
- Good evening then. Mm-hm.
- Be seeing you.
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
- Mr Engzell?
- Mm?
In a week
the Bondy Boys arrive in Copenhagen
for their reunion with their parents.
Mm.
Do you remember
how strong the reaction was
when the press
originally wrote about Norway?
What if we could get them
to write about the Bondy Boys?
You could make the trip to Denmark.
With someone to take photos.
Someone?
I imagine that Ms Vogl is, uh,
nominating herself for this?
No. Not at all.
- Uh someone else.
- The whole Bondy Boys idea was yours.
If anyone ought to go, then it's you.
Talking of Switzerland
How would you feel
about me being posted abroad?
- Switzerland?
- No, not Switzerland. Uh
- Why? There's a war going on.
- But diplomacy doesn't rest, you know.
Ah! United States?
I know the boys would love it there.
Uh yes, dear
Mrs Engzell.
- Delighted to see you.
- Mm.
I certainly hope you own some warm furs.
Otherwise, you'll just have
to invest in some, won't you?
Uh, furs? Mm.
Yes. To get through the winter.
In Moscow.
- Moscow?
- Yes.
I'm sure it's going to be a good evening.
Can I have a word,
in private, Foreign Minister?
I don't quite understand
this Moscow transfer.
The Bondy operation went well.
Precisely.
We must have
a good person like you, Mr Engzell,
stationed in Moscow. It's vital.
It's vital for our country,
we must all do whatever we can.
But you should probably
have a word with your wife now.
Mm.
- I'm really in love with these rooms.
- Yes.
Ingrid?
Gsta Engzell,
you're the most scrupulous official
working at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- What has happened?
- I I can't say, uh
It it's really I but I
Take this transfer
and you'll go without me and the boys.
- Anna, you cannot say that.
- Moscow, Gsta!
Moscow!
Right. I know
COPENHAGEN
- This doesn't feel right.
- What doesn't?
- I have a German passport.
- That's to your advantage here, I'd say.
And you're with me.
I have a diplomatic passport.
- She's with me.
- Yes.
Do you know why there are
so many German soldiers everywhere?
It's to do with the Jews.
They're rounding them all up.
COPENHAGEN
- Look.
- Yes.
Hello there Uh, um Mr and Mrs Bondy?
- Gsta Engzell?
- That is correct.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Uh
- Mr Engzell
- Mm-hm.
I
"I'm very thankful, and I do mean it."
"You are a good person."
Thank thank you.
- Can you stand together?
- Yes.
I'll take a picture before Uh
Are you ready?
One, two, three.
Where are my children?
Where are my children?
Lucas!
Mateo!
Mateo! Lucas!
Where are my children?
Where are my children?!
Lucas! Mateo!
- Where are my children?
- Whe
Where are my children?
- I II'll find them
- Where are my children?
- I'll have I'll have to call Berlin.
- Where are my children?
Please Oh oh, please
- No.
- Oh.
I'm so sorry.
You have nothing to apologise for.
Nothing.
Whereabouts in Germany are your family?
Uh
Lbeck.
It's five years since I've been there.
Mr Engzell?
Surely you realise
what's going on in Denmark?
We must revoke the visa requirement.
Don't you think I know that?
PASSPORT CONTROL
I'll contact the others at the department,
so they can meet us
in Stockholm when we arrive.
- Mr Engzell! Mr Engzell!
- What?
Where do you think you're going?
You can't enter.
- I'm travelling with Mr Engzell.
- What's going on?
- Your companion cannot enter the country.
- Uh
- She is my assistant.
- That will not help her here.
What are you talking about?
She has every right to come to Sweden.
This is a diplomatic passport
and she has a German passport.
What's this stamp here?
Germans are welcome,
but her kind cannot come into Sweden
without a special visa.
- I meant to tell you.
- Uh
I am a senior official
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
that issues the kind of visa
you're talking about.
And I am granting her the right
to enter into Sweden here and now.
I don't know
how you do things in Stockholm.
But we will always follow the law here.
And those like her return to Germany!
- Please, take it easy. Leave her alone.
- Stop. You'll have to sort it out later!
- No reason to be Fine.
- Stop!
- I promise you I'll report this!
- Shut it!
- You'll pay for this! I'll see to it.
- This way.
Ms Vogl, arrangements are being made.
I've talked to the Swedish embassy
in Copenhagen.
You'll have to stay in Denmark.
Someone from the Swedish embassy
will meet you at customs,
and you will stay there.
I mean at the embassy.
- Good.
- Mm.
How are you?
Not too bad.
Mm.
When you were in Lbeck last
What were you doing?
You were looking for
your family, weren't you?
Mm.
- Did you find them? No.
- No.
- And they put a J in your passport.
- Mm.
But you re-entered Sweden though?
It was luck.
Luck?
It shouldn't be a question of luck.
Oh, damn it.
Stupid trains
Uh, here he comes.
- Mr Engzell.
- Yes.
Right, now, um
We don't we don't have much time.
So we must
we, we must be fast and efficient.
I need to talk to the Foreign Minister.
- This wasn't necessary.
- I'm trying!
- Let's go, come on.
- Right
We're all here.
- Are you all right?
- Yes.
Get in the car, Hellstedt!
- Move your foot.
- We need to get going!
- Yeah, but I can't get
- Nearly in
- The car just needs to warm up.
- Get your coat in.
- Can we just go now?
- I'm trying.
Try knocking on it at the back.
- Here. Is this how I should hit it?
- I'm getting a headache!
- Gently. We'll get there.
- I'm trying.
Come. Can you close it?
There. That, that one.
- Of course.
- Thanks.
I'm sorry, gentlemen,
but the Foreign Minister
doesn't have time today.
Well, um, excuse me, Mr Sderstrm.
It's almost certain
that all the Jews in Denmark
will be rounded up and deported.
Just like in Norway.
We are aware
of this rumour and action has been taken.
You can rest assured. Thank you.
May I ask what kind of action?
The embassy in Berlin is tasked
with making inquires about this situation.
Inquire about what? It's a fact.
I've seen it with my own eyes!
Let me get this clear, Engzell.
You want to remove the visa requirement?
We we are a neutral state.
- We cannot take sides.
- However the wind blows us.
So you're saying you'd rather risk
German occupation? Is that it?
And even if we wanted
to revoke the visa requirement,
we couldn't do it.
And that's because our own immigration law
holds the Swedish Jews
economically responsible.
Or were you planning on changing
a 50-year-old law this morning?
Maybe we should just hold off
What're you saying?
Have you got sunstroke?
Did Mr Engzell talk to the Germans? No!
There was a state of emergency.
There were German troops
out on the streets.
I think the Jews
have nothing to do with this.
Uh, Mr Hallonsten,
are you out of your mind?
So you don't think
the Jews will be rounded up?
Uh.. they will be.
Uh
Mm. They will be rounded up.
We need to rewind a little.
How does Censor-Nils know this?
Well Prior to becoming Censor-Nils
Perhaps you're right.
he was stationed in Copenhagen
Cheers.
And there,
he got to know the German envoy.
And so when the Germans decided
to round up all the Jews in Denmark,
Nils was one of the first to know.
Nils then asked his German friend
to come to Stockholm
Thanks for coming.
and inform the Swedish government.
- So you see, the situation is serious.
- The arrangement was made in Berlin?
How many Jews are we talking about here?
- Well, you were saying that
- This is an incredibly serious situation.
So the Prime Minister knows about it?
Yes.
They want to get
the confirmation from Berlin that it
really is true.
That it's really true?
So they think
the Germans will give us an answer
if we just ask them nicely?
Did you talk to Sderstrm
about the visa requirement?
He said that it was an issue of money.
Exactly.
It's always money.
- Mrs Johansson?
- Yes?
- Is Hammarskjld in the building?
- He always is.
Hellstedt, Hallonsten, come with me.
Let's go and cut that Gordian knot then.
Where are we going?
I'm going to see Hammarskjld,
but you, Hallonsten,
there's a Danish exiled-minister
in the city.
Bring him to Hammarskjld's office
as quickly as you can.
- I'll be waiting there.
- I don't understand, but yes I'm going.
And you, Hellstedt,
you must now organise a meeting
at the at the Foreign Minister's office
with the Foreign Minister and Ehrenpreis.
- Ah, no problem, I'll do it. All right.
- Mm-hm.
But Sderstrm he can't know about it.
- What so what do I do, tell me?
- Just sort it out.
Uh, can I bring in Censor-Nils?
You can bring in
whoever the hell you want.
Ah, good.
I apologise for entering
in this most uncivilised manner.
HAMMARSKJLD
BEFORE HE WAS FAMOUS
But I have a Gordian knot
that I think you might be able to
help me with.
Is this the place
where zu Wied wanted to meet us?
Yes
That's what he said anyway.
But shouldn't, uh,
Sderstrm be at this meeting?
I'm afraid he can't be here just now,
maybe we can get started without him?
Mm-hm.
- Mr Ehrenpreis.
- Yes?
I believe that I've found
a sword to cut our Gordian knot.
- What?
- Exactly. What precisely would that be?
A way around the law
which maintains the Jewish community
are financially responsible
for all refugees.
Mr Hammarskjld is not only
the Secretary at the Ministry of Finance,
he is also the Chairman
of the Central Banks General Council.
Well, why don't you explain it for them.
For us to circumvent
the economic responsibility,
we have summoned
a Danish Minister in exile, Johan Kruse.
The Swedish government is offering
to lend you twenty million krona
to be used for financial support
for Danish refugees coming to Sweden.
You do realise I'm a minister in exile.
But we're not lending the money
to the state of Denmark.
Sweden will lend the money to you.
Privately.
Because you can
save the lives of the Danish Jews.
We can't do it.
Twenty million?
We'll set up
the future Danish state as guarantor.
Everything that I've heard
since I walked through that door
is the most foolish,
brain-dead, and insane proposal
that's ever been
presented to me in my entire life.
Is this Swedish logic right here?
Just tell me please. How the hell
did you even come up with this plan?
Give me the contract.
And because a Danish exiled-minister
now has money in his pocket,
then you, Mr Ehrenpreis,
no longer have to burden
the financial responsibility.
Therefore,
there is nothing left to hinder us
from taking in the Jews of Denmark.
Fantastic.
And did you
accomplish all this earlier today?
But it's it's a miracle.
No, it's bureaucracy.
Stop! Wait! What's this meeting that
no one told me about?
We have just resolved the issue
of how to grant the Jews
free entry into Sweden.
What? Free?
It's about what's happening in Denmark.
Ah! Understood.
Uh Uh
Uh, may I ask Have we
So have we received word from Berlin?
Have these rumours been confirmed?
No, they have not.
Gentlemen, I suggest
we wait just a little longer.
- Sderstrm.
- Hm?
A German informant
has visited the Foreign Office.
And Engzell here
has recently paid a visit to Copenhagen.
Once again, Foreign Minister,
the Swedish government cannot
make decisions on the basis of hearsay.
Tell me
Should we risk a German attack
for just believing in these rumours?
- Right.
- Right. No.
I suggest that we continue waiting
until we get word from Berlin
about whether these rumours
are true or not.
Can we call them now?
Great suggestion, uh, Foreign Minister.
- Mr Ehrenpreis.
- Yes?
I humbly thank you for your time.
Uh Mr Hammarskjld,
thank you for your time.
My sincere thanks for your concern.
- Mr Engzell
- But
You can continue carrying out your duties.
Yes, but we
- Immediately, will you please?
- But we've solved
- Thank you, gentlemen.
- We've solved it.
- Engzell, carry on with your duties.
- There is no reason to
Hm, mm? Go go on now. Good bye.
Oh, here you are. Good.
So did you get the go-ahead?
- Uh, from the Foreign Minister?
- No.
It's all still uncertain so
Didn't Sderstrm just tell you
to resume your duties though?
Well, yes
He did say that.
Mrs Johansson, have you any experience
in arranging a press conference?
No
I'm sorry.
There happens to be a press conference
going on in the building right now.
- Oh good, you've invited half of Sweden.
- Look, how nice.
Good evening and welcome.
I am now going to read
a communiqu from the, uh
Swedish government.
The visa requirement
that was previously imposed
on all incoming Jews has
as of today's date, has been revoked."
What the hell? What's he saying? Have you
"Accordingly, all members
of the Jewish religion are now welcome
on Swedish soil."
Are you talking about the Danish Jews
who want to leave Denmark?
No, this rule applies to all Jews.
Wait a minute! He can't just
Furthermore, should there be
any nation that opposes this
then there will be serious consequences.
Serious consequences?
What does that mean exactly?
I'm afraid I cannot say more. Just now.
Excuse me, sir, I have
One at a time.
Engzell!
It is 6.30 p.m. Here is the news.
As of today, 2nd October,
Sweden is revoking its visa requirement
for all individuals of Jewish descent.
This means that
the previous visa restriction
for all Jews arriving in Sweden
has now been abolished.
The communiqu went further
by saying that if any country
were to oppose this new edict
made by the Swedish government,
then the consequences would be serious.
Thus, anyone belonging to
the Jewish religion is now welcome
on Swedish territory.
Sven?
What is it?
- Look at this.
- What?
Look!
What's going on?
One hundred and twenty?
There should be
tens of thousands here by now.
Where the hell are they?
In Sweden.
Hitler is waiting for you in his office.
How come we haven't occupied
that awful land yet?
Did it really happen like this?
Yes.
Dag Hammarskjld lent
government money to a Danish citizen.
There was a press conference at which
Sweden threatened serious consequences.
And thousands of refugees
crossed the strait.
Also, the fortunes of war had turned,
and the Germans were in retreat.
Ah, there you are.
Sderstrm, Engzell. Listen to this.
The Washington Post
has been writing about us.
"The only bright spot
in the eternal darkness."
Listen now.
"Sweden has emerged as a moral superpower
by saving
the Jewish population of Denmark."
Engzell, tell me,
what was it that caused you
to call a press conference?
Uh, well, uh
it was Sderstrm who told me
who ordered me
to continue with my duties. Mm.
Sderstrm
You are truly worth your weight in gold.
Uh I I don't know about that.
Let's not exaggerate.
Saving the Jews of Denmark,
and now this American article
This is big.
Well, we've all
We actually just did
what needed to be done.
Very good.
But now I need your keenness and ability
to do the right thing at the right time.
Oh
Minister, thank you very much.
It's a it's a real honour
to serve you, Foreign Minister.
- Whatever you want, I am at your service.
- Yes.
And that's why
you're going to be our envoy.
Oh!
In Moscow.
Uh What?
- Of course.
- Me?
This was the first time I ever heard about
Gsta and his department.
They had proved
that ordinary people could defy history.
And make a difference.
- Wha
- Hello.
- Hello. Hey! Welcome back.
- Thanks.
So good to see you.
Hello.
I have these awful allergies.
My eyes and nose just won't stop running.
Mm.
It's good to have you back.
'Cause there's still work to be done here.
And as you know,
I'm terrible at typewriting.
Plus, we have received
a lot of new applications.
Mm-hm.
The others are not
half as efficient as you
We've missed you. Honestly.
It was time to take the next step.
It was time to meet Gsta in person.
My son has started a jazz band
and I promised him I'd go to his concert.
Oh, how wonderful.
That's a matter of opinion.
I think it sounds like
a bit of a racket in all honestly.
I'm looking for Gsta Engzell.
Yes, you are?
Raoul Wallenberg.
I called earlier this week regarding
coming to ask you about your work here.
I must leave now,
uh unfortunately, but, uh
Ms Vogl, Mr Hallonsten, and Mr Hellstedt
can answer all of your questions.
Of course.
- Welcome, Mr Wallenberg.
- Hello there. Thank you.
GSTA ENGZELL NEVER SPOKE PUBLICLY
ABOUT HIS WORK FOR THE JEWS
DURING WORLD WAR II.
You've got to
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Come on, Papa. It's swinging.
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
You've got to spread joy
Up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Isn't it good?
Have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
HE CONTINUED TO WORK IN DIPLOMACY
AND DIED AS AN UNKNOWN SWEDISH WAR HERO
IN 1998, AT THE AGE OF 100.
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark?
THE PROVISIONAL PASSPORT SYSTEM
INITIATED BY GSTA ENGZELL'S DEPARTMENWAS FURTHER DEVELOPED
BY RAOUL WALLENBERG
AND PER ANGER IN BUDAPEST.
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
No, do not mess with
Mr In-Between!
SWEDEN
THANKS TO ENGZELL'S WORK,
MORE THAN 100,000 JEWS WERE SAVED.
Oh, listen to me children
And, uh, you will hear
About eliminatin' of the negative
And an accent on a positive
And gather 'round me children
If you willin'
And sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right
You gotta
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
You got to spread joy
Up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Then (otherwise), otherwise
Pandemonium liable
To walk upon the scene
I think I can loosen it.
It's just not working!
Wha what is this?
Ah, I don't believe it.
What is this shit they've given us?
- Sven!
- What is it?
See for yourself!
I I need to make the phone call.
STOCKHOLM
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Oh, no!
On 15th July, 1942
Oh, my God!
the alarm was sounded that Germany
had launched an invasion of Sweden.
The war is here! The Germans!
CABINET SECRETARY
SDERSTRM
- They've attacked!
- God!
The Germans have attacked!
They're here! They're coming for us!
- Then we must inform the Foreign Minister.
- Yes.
Oh
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
GNTHER
But what did we do wrong?
We've done all they've asked of us.
- Ring up the German Embassy.
- Oh god, dear God
But of course.
Why would they spare Sweden?
- Norway, Denmark, Belgium
- Shhh
- Yes, hello?
- Oh, good morning.
I'm calling to gather
some information from you
regarding your attack
on Sweden this morning.
What are you talking about?
FALSE
ALARM!
- The Swedes think we're attacking them.
- What?
- Idiots!
- You're not serious?
Excuse me yes, yes, mm
So
That's that, Foreign Minister
THE SWEDISH CONNECTION
I'll return to
In 1942, Sweden was a lonely country
surrounded by German-occupied nations.
They claimed to be neutral,
but agreed to
pretty much anything Hitler asked for.
German troops were allowed
to move freely through the country.
And Swedish industry
supplied the German army
with iron ore and ball bearings.
And at this point,
virtually no one outside of Germany
had any idea
of what was happening to the Jews.
Jews? We're pretty occupied
trying to win this bloody war!
But in Sweden,
they weren't quite as occupied.
PRIME MINISTER
P.A. HANSSON
Excuse me, Prime Minister!
A case regarding a Jewish man?
Uh, no,
give it to the, um Foreign Minister.
- Jewish?
- Yes.
Well, I'm off to the races.
Give it to Sderstrm.
It's not for immigration. No.
It's for Gsta.
Gsta?
Engzell. Bald head.
Downstairs legal department.
He's in charge of asylum cases.
GSTA ENGZELL
LEGAL DEPARTMENPapa
Gran told me you work for Hitler.
What do you do?
Now, now, that's not true at all.
I work in diplomacy.
What's that?
You remember that time
you were playing and kicked a ball
into Jonsson's living room?
Mm-hm.
Well, Jonsson was very angry with you,
but you didn't go over and talk to him.
I went over
and straightened things out with him.
That's diplomacy.
As a diplomat,
sometimes your Papa
has to talk to Sweden's neighbours.
I thought he sat in a cellar all day
and stamped papers.
Yes.
All right then.
What did you say to the Jonssons, Dad?
Well, I
I had to use a little style and finesse.
Hey, no. He took a sponge cake over.
Is that what you call diplomacy, Papa?
Can we please not touch
the wireless, Gran?
It's for listening to the news,
not this awful modern American noise.
Yes, Papa.
So you give sponge cakes
to Hitler then, Dad?
LEGAL DE ARTMENUh Mm.
Engzell? Where is he?
Good afternoon. He's through there.
This is for you.
A Jewish case.
Mrs Johansson?
Thank you. Oh, another one?
Gsta Engzell has been head
of the Legal Department for six years,
which means that he was there in 1938
when Sweden convinced
the German authorities
to stamp a "J"
in the passports of German Jews.
- Great work. Very good. Well done.
- Thanks a lot. A great day.
You might be wondering
why I'm telling you all of this.
Gsta is hardly a household name.
As I was saying
He's a nobody.
Where's the champagne?
But keep watching
and you'll soon find out
what a nobody can do.
Our story starts
one year before I met Gsta.
1942
AGAIN.
- Good morning.
- Hello, good morning.
I'm Rut Vogl. Hello.
Today is my first day.
I'm asking you
to take a closer look at this.
- I really need to get my family safe.
- Yes.
Yes, I totally understand your situation.
But we have rules and regulations
that we simply must adhere to, I'm afraid.
Yeah, it's the sewage pipes.
You'll get used to it.
Welcome to Legal.
Uh, 6.2 metres.
Yes. Write it down, please.
That will add to our argument.
This just this just isn't healthy.
Let me introduce you to Ms Rut Vogl.
- You have space to work there, Ms Vogl.
- Mm-hm.
Uh Vogl?
- Yes.
- Uh-huh.
- Yes, Vogl. She's German.
- Oh. Oh, she's German? I see.
The SS are arresting every Jew
that they round up.
There are so many rumours, I know
They are not rumours.
I have another meeting, I'm afraid.
You can book another and then we'll
W We'll see what we can, can do.
- But there's nothing we can do right now.
- All right.
- Let me show you out.
- No, thank you.
Mrs Johansson, you're supposed
to join me for the cabinet meeting.
- Ms Rut Vogl will join you.
- Who's Ms Rut Vogl?
- My replacement for when I retire.
- Oh.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Here are the dimensions of the office.
So Mr Engzell, don't you come back
with anything less than
a new, larger office.
Yes, yes, yes.
There are reports
of some further unrest in Norway.
Recently,
around 100 Jewish men were arrested.
The Norwegians have handled it
by not allowing the press
to write about it.
And Nils-Erik, you need to make sure
the Swedish press doesn't either.
Yeah. Yes, of course.
Nils-Erik Eklund.
Or "Censor-Nils" as he was known,
was in charge of Sweden's self-censorship
via the State Information Agency.
All articles that were
in any way related to the war
had to be
personally approved by Nils-Erik.
GERMAN WEAPONS SHIPPED
THROUGH THE COUNTRY
CENSORED
GERMAN SAUSAGES SHIPPED
THROUGH THE COUNTRY
It's all under control.
- The screws are tightened.
- Good.
Hitler is said to have recently conveyed
his anger about Sweden.
Specifically because of the press.
All right.
With that said,
we can conclude today's meeting.
Yes, uh, that's right.
Mr Engzell has a report for us.
Mr Engzell.
- Uh, apologies, but I have to get going.
- Mm. Yes.
Some of you might have some other meetings
that you need to attend.
You're free to go.
I'd like to report that, uh, um
during August and September
a number of what we considered to be, uh..
Uh strong cases were rejected
by the Office of Immigration.
PAULSON
IMMIGRATION OFFICE
What are you trying to say exactly, man?
The pressure is upon us
and we are feeling it mount.
And we also have an issue
with the size of our office space.
Mr Engzell, you want to discuss
the dimensions of your office?
Here?
That was roughly what it was,
that there are certain parameters
to take into account
No, no, no. For God's sake.
That just won't do.
Sderstrm's toilet must be
twice as big as our entire office.
Take it easy, please.
He doesn't have his own toilet.
You know that.
Uh Really?
You told them that we're drowning
down here, right?
We're literally drowning.
- In faeces!
- Let's put this on hold for now.
Thanks.
Mr Engzell, you have the consulate
in Oslo on line one. Go ahead.
- Uh, but
- Svante look, calm down.
- I am calm! You calm down!
- All right.
- I'm trying to sort this mess!
- Yes.
What's your answer then?
- Yes, this is Engzell.
- It's Claes Westring.
Hello, hello there.
THE CONSULATE IN
OSLO
How how are things?
- Fine thanks, quite well.
- Formal complaint? To who?
You know?
So you've surely heard about the Jews
who were arrested over the weekend?
All of the, the male Jews in Trondheim.
- As well as 100 here in Oslo.
- I know. But they
Do you know whether
they'll be released or not?
One of them is a Swedish citizen.
And I want your, uh, mandate
to submit a note verbale.
DIPLOMATIC MEMORANDUM
For for us to get
a release for this person.
Oh.
Mm.
Can you hold for a minute?
- my head against a brick wall.
- Svante!
It's pointless! So pointless!
There's no use in talking to Engzell!
I know you're right.
So what do we do? What do we do now? Huh?
We can't rely on him!
He's too much of a a coward
to even talk to Sderstrm!
Hello?
We have to do something ourselves.
We need to act. We need to act!
It's a mess, I agree.
W5e'll sort something
Yes, hello. Uh
No, I don't think
that is at all appropriate this time.
I'm talking about just one!
Uh, thanks for you call.
Maybe we should go to a higher authority!
- To Sderstrm?
- Why not?
I think that, Mr Westring, you
you should still submit the note verbale.
Stockholm were very clear.
You heard it yourself.
Yes, but a Swedish citizen
is now sitting in a Norwegian jail.
Are you afraid
of being reprimanded, is that it?
"Afraid"?
Mr Engzell. Um
We've just been having a little chat.
And since we're getting
so many Jewish cases,
and the office is so cluttered
We suggest
that we archive as much as we can.
As soon as we can.
Uh
Yes.
BETWEEN WARSAW AND BERLIN
VON OTTER
SWEDISH DIPLOMA- Have a seat.
- Oh, thank you.
That is very friendly.
- Do you want one?
- No, thank you.
You're not from Germany.
No, I'm from Sweden.
What are you doing in Poland?
I'm working for
the Foreign Ministry in Sweden.
So you're here on behalf
of the Swedish government?
Yes. Although, I'm afraid
that it doesn't pay very well.
Yourself?
My mission isn't
exactly military in nature.
It's utter insanity.
Or more like perverse.
I'm sorry?
Perhaps you've heard of
the "Final Solution"?
No.
What final solution?
It is not a solution.
There's a genocide going on.
If I tell you this
you have to promise me
that you will pass it on
to the Swedish government.
- Mr Engzell?
- Yes?
The Germans in Oslo have released
a Jew with a Swedish connection.
- What?
- It's true!
We How come?
Uh, they accepted a note verbale
which was submitted
by the Swedish consulate.
Bu but I told them not to act.
And they accepted it.
- Yes.
- That was highly unexpected.
Yes.
Now the man wants to return to Sweden.
I understand that.
So let's get in touch
with Immigration right away.
But is that necessary?
This doesn't concern them.
He has Swedish citizenship.
Yes, that's true.
And Oslo can issue a provisional passport.
Yes. Good idea.
Why don't we do that for all of them?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
We must follow the rules here.
But all the Norwegian Jews are in danger.
But there are there're many rumours.
But Mr Engzell, 300 cases a day.
Can they all be rumours?
All the correspondence
says they don't know where
their relatives have been taken.
They were sent to labour camps.
- I understand, but what
- They were never heard from again.
Wh What are you saying?
That they murder everybody?
This isn't just paper.
This is people.
Look at these.
Foreign Minister.
Sderstrm.
I have just talked
to one of our diplomats in Berlin.
- Richert?
- No, uh someone called "von Otter."
An underling who broke protocol.
What did he want?
He, uh
He had
He had met an SS officer who
Now you must bear in mind
that this is absolute hearsay, so
Well, this SS officer had been at a camp
Where they
They're exterminating the Jews.
Oh, God.
They are told
that they're going to have a shower,
but it's actually poison gas.
Supposedly they number
in the thousands every day.
There are rumours all over
But you can't report that.
No.
Of course not.
All right.
All right Good.
- Mr Sderstrm
- You heard what we were speaking about?
No.
Uh, actually a little.
I was lost in my own thoughts.
You know these are nothing
but ugly rumours.
You surely realise that?
And if it did turn out to be the truth,
by any chance,
for some extraordinary reason,
there isn't absolutely anything
that we can do about it.
- Do you understand?
- Yes.
I do, yes.
Good evening.
Good evening.
"Schultz".
Let him in.
"Schwerkovic".
But why should we give a visa to him?
Well, he spent a lot of his upbringing
in Sweden, between 5 and 22.
But I can see he's 39 now?
Yes, he's worked as an interpreter
at the Swedish Ball Bearing Factory
in Brno.
You have to be able
to read between the lines, Engzell.
Read between the lines.
He is a Jew, yes?
I'll write a "no" by Schwerkovic.
That is correct, Engzell,
damn right you will!
"And it was cold at home as well."
"She had pulled
her tiny legs up beneath her,
but now, the Little Matchstick Girl
was even colder."
Are you crying, Papa?
No, no. No, it's, uh
It's just my allergies.
You you know how I get them.
Ah Maybe we should
read another book tonight.
Should all of this be packed away?
- Yes, that's right.
- But
All of these are "weak cases" ?
Precisely.
We won't get anything done at this rate.
We should pick up the pace a little.
- But why is this one a weak case?
- What are their names?
Uh, Bondy. They're twins.
- Ah. Oh.
- Boys.
- And their mother.
- Oh?
And their mother remarried
a Swedish man.
She lives in Copenhagen because
they're not allowed to enter Sweden.
But the children are still in Prague.
He's not their biological father?
No.
Well, it's a weak case.
They have a Swedish connection.
Their step-father is from Sweden.
Those are the rules.
I think it's just as awful as you do.
Truly. Mm.
There are some piled up here
and some over there.
Mm-hm.
And we have more here. Yes.
- Excuse me.
- Oh.
- Ah, Ms Nilsson!
- Mrs.
Hm, let's see. All these boxes are going.
- You can take them down to the archive.
- Uh huh.
There are boxes piled up over there too.
- [Svante[ Go ahead.
- I'll make a start carrying these ones.
Excellent.
Hold on a minute!
- Let's just take it easy, please!
- Mm.
Uh, uh, Ms Nilsson, this is to stay here.
- What What are you talking about?
- Yes?
This is going to the archive.
Uh Wait.
They're they're not going to the archive.
They're going back there.
No, no, no. For God's sake.
Oh sorry, could you just
decide on what we're doing here?
- Yes, well
- It's all going
It's it's all going
down to the archive!
- Give it here.
- No
Hey, hey, hey. Get off
There!
- Now, down to the archive.
- No.
Huh?
We had a meeting about this, didn't we?
Where we decided by
by, by, by a solid majority
that all of it would have to be removed.
- So go ahead. Take it down to the archive.
- I'm telling you to stop!
Now listen, I'm the boss here.
You want us to open up
all these damn investigations again
just 'cause the Germans
have released one Jew in Oslo?
Because he was Swedish.
And his application went through.
So that's why I want us to go through
all these applications one more time,
and to prioritise the Norwegian Jews.
But you know,
there are over 7,000 cases here!
If we can save one.
If we can save just one more person,
by us simply doing our job
Then by God we should try.
I'll take these boxes.
UmYou can take those.
What about the Immigration Office?
They won't need to be involved.
- Oslo can issue provisional passports.
- What?
It worked well last time.
Right, Mr Engzell?
- That's right. Exactly.
- Mm-hm.
It's just that it
it'll be pitch black in here
with all the boxes
stacked up blocking the light.
Mrs Johansson. I have these for you
Twenty five more cases of Norwegian Jews
with a clear Swedish connection.
Make sure to send them over
to the consulate in Oslo straight away.
And inform them
that this is just the beginning.
There are at least
another 150 that we can get out.
Mr Sderstrm.
- Mrs Johansson. Fancy seeing you here.
- Mm.
Well, uh everything well?
In the basement?
With Mr Engzell and everything?
Nothing strange going on?
No No.
Very good.
- Thank you for asking.
- Good. Excellent.
Apparently, uh
Engzell overheard a rumour.
Probably false.
But, uh it would be unfortunate
if it spread around.
Well I just haven't heard anything. No.
That's good.
Ah, so
Mr Sderstrm is going to Sdermalm?
Excuse me!
Can you stop the tram? Hello? Excuse me!
WEAK
- Hm
- We're looking for weak cases.
STRONG
If the Germans will approve
an application with a weaker connection,
then that would surely set a precedent
that we could use.
Making it easier
to get cases approved in the future.
PRECEDENT -
DECISION THAT SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE
FOR RESOLVING SIMILAR FUTURE CASES
Uh we have the twin boys from Prague.
- The Bondy boys?
- Yes.
Their mother lives in Copenhagen.
Yes, she remarried a Swedish man.
But he's not the biological father?
No, but he is like a father to them.
The boys are stuck in Prague.
Too weak.
The Germans would just never approve it.
Why? Joseph wasn't the father of Jesus.
Would the Germans think
that was a weak connection too?
- Yes, hello?
- We got a no.
What d'you mean, "no"? I don't understand.
They have no jurisdiction, they're saying.
If I'm to even be let
into the prison, then
then we'll just simply
have to ask Berlin first.
Do that, then.
- What?
- Goodbye, Westring.
I found it.
The Bondy boys.
How old are they?
Eleven.
BERLIN
SWEDISH EMBASSY
von Otter.
- You're being sent to the Foreign Office.
- Uh, what for?
The consulate in Oslo
wants to be given access to a prison
to talk to some Jews.
And they need permission from Berlin.
You'll handle the individual cases.
Here are 150 of them.
Also
Stockholm wants to locate
a pair of twins in Prague.
I've no idea why that is.
Here's the note verbale.
Uh Yes, hello.
My name is Gran von Otter.
- I would like to
- Go and wait over there.
Mm.
Mm.
Heil Hitler.
- So you're the Swede?
- Yes.
What can I do for you? Hm?
Yes, um, should we not
Mr Gran von Otter.
It happens there's a war on.
- Get to the point.
- Understood. Um
Our consul in Oslo
wishes to visit a prison,
um to find out if, uh,
any of the prisoners there
may have a connection to Sweden.
I'll take care of it for you.
Yes
Oh and II, uh
I, uh, I also have a note verbale.
Regarding?
A pair of twins
who've been separated from their parents.
I don't believe it.
We weren't allowed
into the prison in Oslo either.
Oh, damn it.
- Gsta Engzell! Are you here?
- Oh, Sderstrm's bloodhound.
- Yes?
- You need to go up and see Mr Sderstrm.
Uh I'm in a meeting right now.
Can't it wait a few minutes?
I wouldn't recommend it.
Very good. Great. Great.
Ah, Engzell.
Germany's highest-ranking representative
here in Sweden.
Consul-General Victor zu Wied.
Consul-General, let me introduce you
to the head of our Legal Department.
Mr Gsta Engzell.
Heil Hitler.
Sit.
Gentlemen. It has come to our attention
that in Oslo it seems there is
a very large number of Swedish Jews!
In fact, it looks like around
half the Jewish population in Norway
might be eligible to apply
for Swedish citizenship. Huh!
We happen to have been looking in
Engzell.
Understand that
you're navigating stormy waters.
Do you believe that Eichmann
can't close this loophole when he wants?
Now, who is it
that this German is using as a threat?
He is 36 years old.
He plots on his billiards table.
But instead of billiard balls,
it's people on freight trains.
He's known for, well,
how should one put it precision.
And is in charge of
the so-called "Final Solution."
Unfortunately, we'll see him again soon.
EICHMANN
SS LIEUTENANT COLONEL
Yes, we understand, obviously.
And Mr Engzell here
will take great care to ensure
that the Swedish-German relations
remain the absolute top priority.
That's right, Mr Engzell?
Naturally.
- Naturally.
- Huh.
Well then, I won't take up
any more of your time, gentlemen.
May I?
Thank you.
Heil Hitler.
Bye.
Just sit down.
Mr Engzell, do you know
what the Americans do with the Jews
who want to migrate?
They just stall their applications.
They request certificate after certificate
to prove this, that, or whatever
To make sure they give up.
That's how they operate.
The great land of the West.
The war will soon be over.
And it will end with Germany becoming
the absolute superpower, trust me.
And if we've been too soft
in dealing with the Jews,
then we will suffer the consequences.
Do you think that I'm not keeping an eye
on what you're up to down there?
But then what?
Soon, when all of your smart thinking
has gone completely to hell,
what will you do then?
Do you actually believe that any of us
up here would be willing to save you?
The hell we would.
We'll send you off to Moscow.
All of you, round you up.
You might be wondering
why Sderstrm is threatening him
with Moscow.
MOSCOW
For a long time,
it was difficult for Swedes
to see Hitler as the worst dictator,
when Stalin was wreaking havoc.
It was not uncommon for Swedish diplomats
to be summoned to meetings
in the middle of the night.
When it was bitterly cold.
And you could never be sure
if it was just vodka in the glass.
It seems that Hitler
has found out what we're up to here.
- Yes, well, I haven't said anything.
- No.
I It's my fault.
We moved too quickly.
We shouldn't have brought up
both the Bondy boys and the prison
at the same time.
Don't bite off more than you can chew.
My God, we can't save them
one after another.
No. That's why I suggest we go back
to our original way of working.
What is it that you're not getting
in your life, Mr Hellstedt?
You're new here, Ms Vogl.
And I can inform you
that Jews have been arrested before.
And released.
Without us having to wave
our Swedish flags.
It must feel good
to live with blinders on.
What is this fucking great farce?!
We're talking about a Norwegian prison,
not a German labour camp!
Hm. Mm.
Who hired her?
Didn't we ask her for references?
It wouldn't be the first time.
And you've nothing to add here?
- What do you want me to say?
- You can at least say something, damn it!
- What?
- Do I have to handle all of this myself?
Hey, how was your day, Stig?
Are you all right?
Yes I am, Papa.
Can you read to me tonight?
No, nnot tonight.
Oh, please?
Gran!
Yes, what?
That noise needs to stop right now,
you hear me? Now do it!
At dawn on 26th November, 1942,
all of Oslo's taxis were dispatched,
with two police officers in each,
to round up Jewish women,
children, and the elderly.
Good morning.
What's happened?
Where are you taking us?
We've done nothing wrong.
We're just trying
to live our lives honestly
This is an injustice!
We heard from Westring.
He called us from Oslo
and said they've rounded up all the Jews.
And put them on a boat
bound for a German death camp.
I thought it was all
just for show, honestly. Uh
- Just for show
- Yes I know
They took everyone
they could fit on the boat.
Women, children,
the elderly, all of them. Over 700.
God knows where they're headed. Gsta
Uh but but we can archive
all the Norwegian cases now, yes?
Oh for God's sake, shut up, will you?
Mr Engzell,
the Swedish relatives
have a right to know what's happened.
I know.
But we have this damn censorship.
The press aren't allowed
to write about it.
You know, you don't think we could
get Censor-Nils to change that, do you?
How do we do that?
Should I just waltz into his office
and convince him that he should
lift the restrictions on the press
Exactly! Why not do that?
That's how we'll do it.
The Swedish relatives are going to wonder
why their loved ones in Norway
haven't been in contact.
And I can guarantee you
that there will be questions.
There's going to be so much to answer for.
Yes, and the press
won't even be writing about Germany.
They will be writing about Censor-Nils
and how he withheld all the information.
But I don't even know Nils.
I don't think he'd listen to me.
But Sderstrm would.
He is above Censor-Nils, isn't he?
I certainly wouldn't want to be
Nils, clearly.
Considering the situation
with the Norwegian Jews.
- Oh oh, you're right, definitely.
- Hm.
And I'm sure
there'll be a lot of relatives in Sweden.
Hm. And did you know
that several of the deported Jews, they
actually had Swedish passports
not Norwegian.
And as soon as
their relatives here in Sweden
start wondering where they've gone,
they'll be questioning us all.
And you know the press
won't be writing articles on Germany,
but on Nils
and the department of information.
You don't actually think
that I'm that stupid?
Damn Uh
1,000 JEWS SENT TO POLAND
PERSECUTION OF JEWS
REACHES NEW PEAK
JEWS DEPORTED TO POLAND
How could this end up in the newspapers?
1,000 JEWS SENT TO POLAND
Our assessment was
that the news would have reached Sweden
sooner or later anyway, Sir.
Later would have been better.
We're being inundated
with calls from citizens
demanding that we act against it.
All the while,
I'm being scolded by Berlin.
Damn it!
Yes, yes, yes.
Who is actually in charge of the Jews?
Uh Uh
Sderstrm?
The Prime Minister has asked a question.
- Uh
- Who's responsible?
Uh, the Jews?
Fantastic, we don't know
who's in charge of the Jewish issue.
We had classified it
as a "non-issue" before.
But no longer though.
- No.
- So who?
I would say that it's Engzell.
Gsta Engzell. Legal.
And where is he now?
- Get him here immediately.
- Of course.
- Just get him here, God damn it!
- Go, go, get him will you!
That's fantastic. I can't believe it.
- Where is Engzell?
- He's talking to Oslo.
He'll need to stop that now.
Engzell.
What the hell is going on in Norway?
Can we expect them to be returned?
- The Jews?
- Yes.
No, I don't think we can.
So you mean they're sending
Scandinavians to death camps?
- Yes, it would certainly seem so.
- Death camps?
Excuse me, but does that mean
that these rumours are something
that we have to start taking seriously?
Are there any Swedes on the boat?
There's one.
- But it's a mistake.
- Oh, what do you mean?
The Germans have been sparing
all Jews who have a Swedish connection.
Yes, that's right. They're still here.
- I see.
- It's true, you understand me?
- There's no doubt about it.
- All of them?
Yes, all of them.
Before the Germans
rounded up all the Norwegian Jews,
we had sent several notes verbales
concerning those who had
a connection to Sweden.
They all have a Swedish connection then?
- Those Jews have been released.
- A glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Um, uh
And so, what do we do now?
The press are demanding action,
but Hitler wants us to keep quiet.
Any suggestions?
- Um, uh
- Mm.
The thing is
there's around 100 Jews still in Norway.
Mm-hm.
But I imagine
they'll also be deported soon.
Unless Sweden takes them all in.
Sorry um
So Sweden takes the Jews in? I think not.
That will mean that all the Jews in Europe
will come to Sweden.
And, I mean, that is
they are, after all, in their millions.
Hitler will consider this
a downright insult.
But what if this
is dealt with unofficially?
- Unofficially?
- Wait, wait, wait.
Go ahead, Engzell.
The press are alerted
that we have sent an unofficial request
to take in the remaining Jews from Norway.
Mm.
But since it's unofficial
the press can't write about it, correct?
Oh, dear God.
And that way,
the Germans cant lose face, can they?
We act
but we don't act.
- Hm.
- Mm.
- Good plan.
- Excuse me one second
- Should we go ahead with it then?
- It's interesting
Excuse me, but are we considering
entry to the Jews just like that?
Without any parliamentary decision?
We're certainly not going to
let in any Jews "just like that."
No.
We can't be sure
the Germans would agree to it anyway.
But the press will leave us alone.
It's perfect.
Meeting concluded.
- Foreign Minister, we can't just allow
- I said, the meeting is concluded.
God! Engzell can you stay here?
Mm.
Finally, I would like to remind you
that I'm your immediate superior,
which means that
you report directly to me.
And if anyone decides
to go against our guidelines,
I can inform you that our man in Moscow,
Mr Assarsson,
would love a change of position.
Can I interest anyone
in Assarsson's position in Moscow?
Right now, we have 50,000 from Holland.
And here, we have the French in Paris,
rounding up as many as they can.
Hmm. Hm.
Have you already heard about
the unofficial telegrams from Sweden?
The Swedes are using
their position shamelessly.
Just because Gring
has a weird soft spot for that
ridiculous land, for some reason.
But of course,
you are keeping an eye on it, are you not?
Oh, absolutely.
There won't be any more from them.
They know their place.
Good.
Based on the Norwegians
whose Swedish connections were approved,
I've got another 25 Jews from Belgium
and Holland that we should inquire about.
Twenty five for Engzell.
POSSIBLE CASES
- Hellstedt?
- Hm I have 20.
- Twenty.
- Just about.
- Hallonsten?
- Yes? Yeah, yeah, I have 10.
And I have 25.
- Ms Vogl?
- Uh, 85.
It's not enough.
Writing individual notes verbales
won't work in the long run.
We must establish a precedent
that covers a wider range.
So what do we do?
The Bondy boys.
But they've already rejected the boys.
Can't we find another case that
we think would be easier to get approval
than the Bondy one?
Forgive me, Mr Engzell,
this is a good profile.
It's just weak enough.
But this time,
you'll have to take it higher up.
Mmm.
Can I see the papers again?
It would be a fine bureaucratic pirouette.
von Otter! Von Otter!
I'm here!
Right. Thank you.
So Engzell sent the Swedish diplomats
back to the
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The bureaucrat they met with
was Martin Luther.
Ah, hello
No, no relation to the
well, the other, well known one.
Good to see you.
He was the German Foreign Minister
Ribbentrop's right-hand man.
Even Eva Braun has sent something.
I'll show you, here.
- Oh.
- This is from Eva Braun.
Oh, and in the package,
there was this from the Fhrer.
This is the turtle shell present
from the Fhrer.
Brilliant.
- Isn't it just
- Isn't it?
Will you try?
- Hm?
- Mm-hm.
They were
they were, um, caught in a raid in Prague.
And then they were taken.
Really, surely not?
And the children are Swedish nationals?
I in theory, uh,
but unfortunately not on paper.
But the connection is, uh, quite clear.
Their father is a Swedish citizen.
But the children are Jews?
It would serve the
Swedish government's view of Germanys
great virtue,
if this problem could be solved.
Do you mean
that some Jewish twins in Prague
would be entitled to Swedish citizenship?
Is that what you're saying?
- Uh, uh um
- Uh, yes.
Yeah, good. Absolutely.
Where are they now?
Yes, well, we're, uh
we're uh not certain.
But perhaps in, uh, Theresienstadt.
Theresienstadt? Wonderful!
- You'll get the authorisation.
- Mm. Thank you.
What is it?
They'll be reunited with their parents.
- Yeah, damn right!
- Oh. Take it easy. Now, now, come on!
I'm going out to buy coffee and cake.
Put your order in, whatever you want.
- Let me help you.
- A doughnut.
- And I would like a a klent, please?
- I also want a klent, or whatever.
- Order anything.
- Should we get a sweet loaf?
A sweet loaf?
Forget the klent.
If we get a sweet loaf, we can share.
No, I think we should get a large cake.
Today is a feast!
As long as we can justify it.
They're very strict
about the internal budget.
I'll take it out of my own pocket.
Because I'm retiring next month,
and then I won't be able
to afford even biscuits.
- Let's do it!
- Yes!
Now the word was spreading
across Europe and around the world
that Jews could get diplomatic protection
by writing to Sweden.
Havin' their fling again
Younger than spring again
Feelin' that zing again, wow
Ooh!
Mr Engzell.
Here is a letter
from a woman from Salt Lake City,
who wants to get
her nephew out of Austria.
And what's the connection?
He works for the
Swedish Ball Bearing Factory in Vienna.
Approve and continue.
I've got one who spent summers
in Sweden as a child.
Approve it.
Ah, a Hungarian
who studied at Uppsala University.
This one is from a man
who worked in Gothenburg, in shipping.
- We can approve that one.
- Yes. Done.
They have an elderly aunt
who lives there by herself.
DO YOU WANT TOTAL WAR
Why is this taking so long?
Reichtsfhrer.
Please, excuse me.
The Swedes have started making
extensive inquiries about
Swedish Jews.
Hm. And how many are there?
Almost every territory
with a Swedish consulate
has sent a note verbale regarding
Jews with an alleged
Swedish connection, so
There are quite a few.
Hmm.
The Swedes are now actually trying
to save Jews, you're saying?
Yes.
And that leads to an additional problem.
This is unbelievable!
The more our officials have to deal
with matters regarding the Final Solution
the more they start to, um
How to say it?
They are beginning to think
Not everyone's
a staunch National Socialist.
This time you must
double-check the fastenings!
Come on, man
Hm.
Then let's change the regulations.
"As of 31st March,
foreign citizenship will no longer
be accepted as an exemption."
What? Let me see.
But but why have they
changed the regulations?
So if they're looking for
a bureaucratic war,
then that's damn well
what we'll give them.
We'd like to know whether
the new rules that are about to come in
will affect half-Jews as well?
Half-Jews?
- Mm.
- Yes, naturally.
It is essential
that we decipher this correctly.
And, uh,
what is the ruling about quarter-Jews?
Yes, they'll likely fall under that too.
I, uh can double-check that.
And, uh what about one-eighth Jews?
Let me write the question down
- I'll take care of it for you.
- Very good.
Well Because there are
also one-sixteenth Jews
and, uh, one-thirty-second Jews.
What rules do they fall under?
It's important that we understand this.
Yes, I'll find out.
Very good.
Then we'll wait to enforce the rule
until you've clarified everything.
Don't let her rumba
After all, your own Fhrer is apparently
one-sixteenth Jewish himself.
It would be unfortunate
if you had to deport him too.
- Budapest, 20.
- Good.
- Ah
- Really good!
- Seven more than last time.
- Absolutely.
- Excellent news.
- Engzell?
- His office is here.
- I never doubted it!
Vienna, 75 people.
Excellent.
- What the hell do you think you're doing?
- What do you mean?
Berlin is threatening me with a blow lamp.
I have been told that we're claiming
that an assortment of Jews are Swedish.
- Well
- Uh, uh What kind of cases are these?
Why is it the
Immigration Office hasn't seen them?
And, uh, why haven't I seen them?
Well, there's no reason for you to.
They're Swedish citizens.
- That's not how I understood it.
- Oh, for goodness
I understood it to be about Jews
who simply have never
even set foot in Sweden!
Just hold on, Paulson. Look here
Our policy is to stay neutral.
And is this neutral, Engzell?
What you people down here
don't understand
No one here
has any idea about what's
What on earth's that sound?
Uh, the pipes for the sewage. Yes
It comes all the way
down from the third floor.
- That's right.
- Mm.
The sewage?
We've pushed for a larger office,
but it hasn't been approved.
I have the measurements in this drawer.
Mind yourself, Engzell.
Mind yourself.
Mind yourselves carefully,
all of you, you hear me?
So, where were we now then?
How naive they all are.
You're absolutely right.
There must be consequences for Engzell.
It costs so much money, also.
It's not free to bring in the Jews.
- It costs money.
- Mm.
Exactly! It costs money!
Now I know who can set Engzell straight.
Call Ehrenpreis! Now!
Welcome, welcome.
EHRENPREIS
JEWISH CONGREGATION
Mr Engzell.
No one could be more grateful
than we are for all the work you're doing.
- We're just doing our job.
- Yes.
Not everyone who comes here
is a banker, one might say.
They have no possessions.
Everything has been confiscated.
They are, quite simply, destitute.
So, how can we help them?
Uh Sorry. When, when you say "we",
and when you say "help",
uh, you mean
that you're financially responsible
for those who come here?
Uh. Yes, it is a little paradoxical,
you might say.
The more we help, the less we can help.
Was it really this way?
Yes, according to
a 50-year-old Swedish law,
every religious congregation
was financially responsible
for its members.
And now, the Swedish-Jewish congregation
was almost out of money.
So
So you, as a Jewish congregation,
will have to deny them?
No, no. We won't deny anyone.
We would never do that.
But, um
Yes, I'm sorry,
from where do we get the money?
This is truly a Gordian knot. Hm?
- Gentlemen, excuse me.
- What is a Gordian knot, do you know?
A difficult problem,
but with an easy solution.
Ah.
We've received a letter
from the Bondy Boy's parents.
- Mm. And?
- The boys haven't appeared.
But
Contact whoever signed off
on the note verbale.
- He must be held to account.
- We can't do that.
They removed him
and sent him off to a concentration camp.
What? Let go of me.
He apparently tried
to oust their Foreign Minister.
So what about the boys then?
Where are they?
They could be in a camp in Theresienstadt.
Can't be
Can we confirm that any way then?
Yes, well, uh,
we can always go there and look for them.
Uh, that's not a bad idea, Hallonsten.
Good that you suggested that.
OUTSIDE THERESIENSTADThis appears to be the right road.
Good.
I really need to eat something. Uh
Craving chicken pt.
Do you think we can get that around here?
It's not that likely.
Papers.
Sweden? Mm?
What do you want?
We we, uh we're here
representing the Swedish embassy.
And, uh, mean to inquire
after two children, if you will.
They are Swedish citizens
that are said to be held here.
Do you happen to have a permit?
Oh, well, yes.
We've spoken with, uh, Berlin about it.
But they haven't had time to reply.
It's very urgent, so
- He he took our passports.
- Yes, you are right.
We should move.
- Your entry's been denied, gentlemen.
- Right, we should leave then
Ah, but, um,
can't we just come in for a second?
- We only have a few quick questions.
- Now, go!
Yes, uh, we understand. Yes.
- Where the hell are we?
- Uh, it doesn't look too bad.
It's definitely not chicken pt, is it?
Thank you.
The same for me, thanks.
Excuse me, can I ask you a quick question?
We're looking for a pair of twins.
They're supposed be here in the camp.
Do you know how
we can find out more about them?
What are you talking about?
Do you know anyone who works in the camp?
A guard, for example?
We have money.
The boys are alive.
Oh, thank God.
Just as we suspected,
they are currently
being held in Theresienstadt.
There is a problem though.
They are in a so-called
"Transit Camp", aren't they?
- Which means that they're going to be--
- Moved on quickly.
The entire German Foreign Ministry
will know who the Bondy Boys are.
I'll go speak with
the Foreign Minister.
Sderstrm will never let you get past him
just for a couple of children.
Did I say that
I was going to go via Sderstrm?
- Ms Vogl, can you join me?
- Yes.
I'd rather it didn't involve me.
Understood.
It appears we have an opportunity here
to set a precedent.
If we can bring these children here,
then it could mean
that we can help even more of them.
We all know
what's been happening in those camps
If anything goes wrong,
you Engzell, are responsible.
Do you understand?
Long before D-Day,
and long before
the Soviet armies crushed Berlin,
three Swedish diplomats,
on the order of Engzell,
assaulted the German Foreign Ministry.
I would like to see Mr Grundherr.
- Please, sir.
- Thank you.
I have an appointment with Grobgeld.
Thank you.
I'm here for Mr Gtz.
Perhaps the toughest attack
by the Swedish tiger since
Well ever.
You've already accepted a note verbale
regarding the the 11-year-old
twin brothers we talked about.
And you also made the promise that you
Yes, we certainly would appreciate, um,
an immediate and positive response
to our formal request.
Minister, this is really bad.
This is more than bad, dreadful.
Listen just calm down, Sderstrm.
This is about getting children
returned to their parents in Sweden.
This is about children
returning to their parents in Sweden.
Where are the children?
Uh, Minister, you should've come to me!
Obviously, if if they're upset
We can make an example
of the Legal Department.
We can make an example.
That's good. We'll make an example.
That way, we can show the Germans
that we're taking action.
Perfect approach.
- Yes, Foreign Minister.
- Excuse me, Foreign Minister.
We had agreed
that I would call you after lunch.
Have you heard yet from Berlin?
The children can come home.
But you've created
one hell of a mess with this, Engzell.
Sderstrm's office in one hour.
- Mm.
- That will be all.
Yes. Thanks so much.
Our man in Moscow
will be replaced.
Understood.
Will you need me to suggest
a person for the position
No, no. We want you to take over.
Together with your department.
Moving our entire department
to Moscow right now is a little
MOSCOW
Oh, my! Is there a celebration tonight?
- Representation.
- Oh, very good.
Good job today, Mr Engzell.
Thanks.
Uh, so what did Sderstrm want earlier?
Um, he mostly wanted
to congratulate us about the Bondy Boys.
Ahh, right.
Are you getting a pay rise then?
Uh
Well, that would require
a World War to end. Mm.
- We'll fit that in tomorrow.
- Mm.
- Good evening then. Mm-hm.
- Be seeing you.
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
- Mr Engzell?
- Mm?
In a week
the Bondy Boys arrive in Copenhagen
for their reunion with their parents.
Mm.
Do you remember
how strong the reaction was
when the press
originally wrote about Norway?
What if we could get them
to write about the Bondy Boys?
You could make the trip to Denmark.
With someone to take photos.
Someone?
I imagine that Ms Vogl is, uh,
nominating herself for this?
No. Not at all.
- Uh someone else.
- The whole Bondy Boys idea was yours.
If anyone ought to go, then it's you.
Talking of Switzerland
How would you feel
about me being posted abroad?
- Switzerland?
- No, not Switzerland. Uh
- Why? There's a war going on.
- But diplomacy doesn't rest, you know.
Ah! United States?
I know the boys would love it there.
Uh yes, dear
Mrs Engzell.
- Delighted to see you.
- Mm.
I certainly hope you own some warm furs.
Otherwise, you'll just have
to invest in some, won't you?
Uh, furs? Mm.
Yes. To get through the winter.
In Moscow.
- Moscow?
- Yes.
I'm sure it's going to be a good evening.
Can I have a word,
in private, Foreign Minister?
I don't quite understand
this Moscow transfer.
The Bondy operation went well.
Precisely.
We must have
a good person like you, Mr Engzell,
stationed in Moscow. It's vital.
It's vital for our country,
we must all do whatever we can.
But you should probably
have a word with your wife now.
Mm.
- I'm really in love with these rooms.
- Yes.
Ingrid?
Gsta Engzell,
you're the most scrupulous official
working at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- What has happened?
- I I can't say, uh
It it's really I but I
Take this transfer
and you'll go without me and the boys.
- Anna, you cannot say that.
- Moscow, Gsta!
Moscow!
Right. I know
COPENHAGEN
- This doesn't feel right.
- What doesn't?
- I have a German passport.
- That's to your advantage here, I'd say.
And you're with me.
I have a diplomatic passport.
- She's with me.
- Yes.
Do you know why there are
so many German soldiers everywhere?
It's to do with the Jews.
They're rounding them all up.
COPENHAGEN
- Look.
- Yes.
Hello there Uh, um Mr and Mrs Bondy?
- Gsta Engzell?
- That is correct.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Uh
- Mr Engzell
- Mm-hm.
I
"I'm very thankful, and I do mean it."
"You are a good person."
Thank thank you.
- Can you stand together?
- Yes.
I'll take a picture before Uh
Are you ready?
One, two, three.
Where are my children?
Where are my children?
Lucas!
Mateo!
Mateo! Lucas!
Where are my children?
Where are my children?!
Lucas! Mateo!
- Where are my children?
- Whe
Where are my children?
- I II'll find them
- Where are my children?
- I'll have I'll have to call Berlin.
- Where are my children?
Please Oh oh, please
- No.
- Oh.
I'm so sorry.
You have nothing to apologise for.
Nothing.
Whereabouts in Germany are your family?
Uh
Lbeck.
It's five years since I've been there.
Mr Engzell?
Surely you realise
what's going on in Denmark?
We must revoke the visa requirement.
Don't you think I know that?
PASSPORT CONTROL
I'll contact the others at the department,
so they can meet us
in Stockholm when we arrive.
- Mr Engzell! Mr Engzell!
- What?
Where do you think you're going?
You can't enter.
- I'm travelling with Mr Engzell.
- What's going on?
- Your companion cannot enter the country.
- Uh
- She is my assistant.
- That will not help her here.
What are you talking about?
She has every right to come to Sweden.
This is a diplomatic passport
and she has a German passport.
What's this stamp here?
Germans are welcome,
but her kind cannot come into Sweden
without a special visa.
- I meant to tell you.
- Uh
I am a senior official
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
that issues the kind of visa
you're talking about.
And I am granting her the right
to enter into Sweden here and now.
I don't know
how you do things in Stockholm.
But we will always follow the law here.
And those like her return to Germany!
- Please, take it easy. Leave her alone.
- Stop. You'll have to sort it out later!
- No reason to be Fine.
- Stop!
- I promise you I'll report this!
- Shut it!
- You'll pay for this! I'll see to it.
- This way.
Ms Vogl, arrangements are being made.
I've talked to the Swedish embassy
in Copenhagen.
You'll have to stay in Denmark.
Someone from the Swedish embassy
will meet you at customs,
and you will stay there.
I mean at the embassy.
- Good.
- Mm.
How are you?
Not too bad.
Mm.
When you were in Lbeck last
What were you doing?
You were looking for
your family, weren't you?
Mm.
- Did you find them? No.
- No.
- And they put a J in your passport.
- Mm.
But you re-entered Sweden though?
It was luck.
Luck?
It shouldn't be a question of luck.
Oh, damn it.
Stupid trains
Uh, here he comes.
- Mr Engzell.
- Yes.
Right, now, um
We don't we don't have much time.
So we must
we, we must be fast and efficient.
I need to talk to the Foreign Minister.
- This wasn't necessary.
- I'm trying!
- Let's go, come on.
- Right
We're all here.
- Are you all right?
- Yes.
Get in the car, Hellstedt!
- Move your foot.
- We need to get going!
- Yeah, but I can't get
- Nearly in
- The car just needs to warm up.
- Get your coat in.
- Can we just go now?
- I'm trying.
Try knocking on it at the back.
- Here. Is this how I should hit it?
- I'm getting a headache!
- Gently. We'll get there.
- I'm trying.
Come. Can you close it?
There. That, that one.
- Of course.
- Thanks.
I'm sorry, gentlemen,
but the Foreign Minister
doesn't have time today.
Well, um, excuse me, Mr Sderstrm.
It's almost certain
that all the Jews in Denmark
will be rounded up and deported.
Just like in Norway.
We are aware
of this rumour and action has been taken.
You can rest assured. Thank you.
May I ask what kind of action?
The embassy in Berlin is tasked
with making inquires about this situation.
Inquire about what? It's a fact.
I've seen it with my own eyes!
Let me get this clear, Engzell.
You want to remove the visa requirement?
We we are a neutral state.
- We cannot take sides.
- However the wind blows us.
So you're saying you'd rather risk
German occupation? Is that it?
And even if we wanted
to revoke the visa requirement,
we couldn't do it.
And that's because our own immigration law
holds the Swedish Jews
economically responsible.
Or were you planning on changing
a 50-year-old law this morning?
Maybe we should just hold off
What're you saying?
Have you got sunstroke?
Did Mr Engzell talk to the Germans? No!
There was a state of emergency.
There were German troops
out on the streets.
I think the Jews
have nothing to do with this.
Uh, Mr Hallonsten,
are you out of your mind?
So you don't think
the Jews will be rounded up?
Uh.. they will be.
Uh
Mm. They will be rounded up.
We need to rewind a little.
How does Censor-Nils know this?
Well Prior to becoming Censor-Nils
Perhaps you're right.
he was stationed in Copenhagen
Cheers.
And there,
he got to know the German envoy.
And so when the Germans decided
to round up all the Jews in Denmark,
Nils was one of the first to know.
Nils then asked his German friend
to come to Stockholm
Thanks for coming.
and inform the Swedish government.
- So you see, the situation is serious.
- The arrangement was made in Berlin?
How many Jews are we talking about here?
- Well, you were saying that
- This is an incredibly serious situation.
So the Prime Minister knows about it?
Yes.
They want to get
the confirmation from Berlin that it
really is true.
That it's really true?
So they think
the Germans will give us an answer
if we just ask them nicely?
Did you talk to Sderstrm
about the visa requirement?
He said that it was an issue of money.
Exactly.
It's always money.
- Mrs Johansson?
- Yes?
- Is Hammarskjld in the building?
- He always is.
Hellstedt, Hallonsten, come with me.
Let's go and cut that Gordian knot then.
Where are we going?
I'm going to see Hammarskjld,
but you, Hallonsten,
there's a Danish exiled-minister
in the city.
Bring him to Hammarskjld's office
as quickly as you can.
- I'll be waiting there.
- I don't understand, but yes I'm going.
And you, Hellstedt,
you must now organise a meeting
at the at the Foreign Minister's office
with the Foreign Minister and Ehrenpreis.
- Ah, no problem, I'll do it. All right.
- Mm-hm.
But Sderstrm he can't know about it.
- What so what do I do, tell me?
- Just sort it out.
Uh, can I bring in Censor-Nils?
You can bring in
whoever the hell you want.
Ah, good.
I apologise for entering
in this most uncivilised manner.
HAMMARSKJLD
BEFORE HE WAS FAMOUS
But I have a Gordian knot
that I think you might be able to
help me with.
Is this the place
where zu Wied wanted to meet us?
Yes
That's what he said anyway.
But shouldn't, uh,
Sderstrm be at this meeting?
I'm afraid he can't be here just now,
maybe we can get started without him?
Mm-hm.
- Mr Ehrenpreis.
- Yes?
I believe that I've found
a sword to cut our Gordian knot.
- What?
- Exactly. What precisely would that be?
A way around the law
which maintains the Jewish community
are financially responsible
for all refugees.
Mr Hammarskjld is not only
the Secretary at the Ministry of Finance,
he is also the Chairman
of the Central Banks General Council.
Well, why don't you explain it for them.
For us to circumvent
the economic responsibility,
we have summoned
a Danish Minister in exile, Johan Kruse.
The Swedish government is offering
to lend you twenty million krona
to be used for financial support
for Danish refugees coming to Sweden.
You do realise I'm a minister in exile.
But we're not lending the money
to the state of Denmark.
Sweden will lend the money to you.
Privately.
Because you can
save the lives of the Danish Jews.
We can't do it.
Twenty million?
We'll set up
the future Danish state as guarantor.
Everything that I've heard
since I walked through that door
is the most foolish,
brain-dead, and insane proposal
that's ever been
presented to me in my entire life.
Is this Swedish logic right here?
Just tell me please. How the hell
did you even come up with this plan?
Give me the contract.
And because a Danish exiled-minister
now has money in his pocket,
then you, Mr Ehrenpreis,
no longer have to burden
the financial responsibility.
Therefore,
there is nothing left to hinder us
from taking in the Jews of Denmark.
Fantastic.
And did you
accomplish all this earlier today?
But it's it's a miracle.
No, it's bureaucracy.
Stop! Wait! What's this meeting that
no one told me about?
We have just resolved the issue
of how to grant the Jews
free entry into Sweden.
What? Free?
It's about what's happening in Denmark.
Ah! Understood.
Uh Uh
Uh, may I ask Have we
So have we received word from Berlin?
Have these rumours been confirmed?
No, they have not.
Gentlemen, I suggest
we wait just a little longer.
- Sderstrm.
- Hm?
A German informant
has visited the Foreign Office.
And Engzell here
has recently paid a visit to Copenhagen.
Once again, Foreign Minister,
the Swedish government cannot
make decisions on the basis of hearsay.
Tell me
Should we risk a German attack
for just believing in these rumours?
- Right.
- Right. No.
I suggest that we continue waiting
until we get word from Berlin
about whether these rumours
are true or not.
Can we call them now?
Great suggestion, uh, Foreign Minister.
- Mr Ehrenpreis.
- Yes?
I humbly thank you for your time.
Uh Mr Hammarskjld,
thank you for your time.
My sincere thanks for your concern.
- Mr Engzell
- But
You can continue carrying out your duties.
Yes, but we
- Immediately, will you please?
- But we've solved
- Thank you, gentlemen.
- We've solved it.
- Engzell, carry on with your duties.
- There is no reason to
Hm, mm? Go go on now. Good bye.
Oh, here you are. Good.
So did you get the go-ahead?
- Uh, from the Foreign Minister?
- No.
It's all still uncertain so
Didn't Sderstrm just tell you
to resume your duties though?
Well, yes
He did say that.
Mrs Johansson, have you any experience
in arranging a press conference?
No
I'm sorry.
There happens to be a press conference
going on in the building right now.
- Oh good, you've invited half of Sweden.
- Look, how nice.
Good evening and welcome.
I am now going to read
a communiqu from the, uh
Swedish government.
The visa requirement
that was previously imposed
on all incoming Jews has
as of today's date, has been revoked."
What the hell? What's he saying? Have you
"Accordingly, all members
of the Jewish religion are now welcome
on Swedish soil."
Are you talking about the Danish Jews
who want to leave Denmark?
No, this rule applies to all Jews.
Wait a minute! He can't just
Furthermore, should there be
any nation that opposes this
then there will be serious consequences.
Serious consequences?
What does that mean exactly?
I'm afraid I cannot say more. Just now.
Excuse me, sir, I have
One at a time.
Engzell!
It is 6.30 p.m. Here is the news.
As of today, 2nd October,
Sweden is revoking its visa requirement
for all individuals of Jewish descent.
This means that
the previous visa restriction
for all Jews arriving in Sweden
has now been abolished.
The communiqu went further
by saying that if any country
were to oppose this new edict
made by the Swedish government,
then the consequences would be serious.
Thus, anyone belonging to
the Jewish religion is now welcome
on Swedish territory.
Sven?
What is it?
- Look at this.
- What?
Look!
What's going on?
One hundred and twenty?
There should be
tens of thousands here by now.
Where the hell are they?
In Sweden.
Hitler is waiting for you in his office.
How come we haven't occupied
that awful land yet?
Did it really happen like this?
Yes.
Dag Hammarskjld lent
government money to a Danish citizen.
There was a press conference at which
Sweden threatened serious consequences.
And thousands of refugees
crossed the strait.
Also, the fortunes of war had turned,
and the Germans were in retreat.
Ah, there you are.
Sderstrm, Engzell. Listen to this.
The Washington Post
has been writing about us.
"The only bright spot
in the eternal darkness."
Listen now.
"Sweden has emerged as a moral superpower
by saving
the Jewish population of Denmark."
Engzell, tell me,
what was it that caused you
to call a press conference?
Uh, well, uh
it was Sderstrm who told me
who ordered me
to continue with my duties. Mm.
Sderstrm
You are truly worth your weight in gold.
Uh I I don't know about that.
Let's not exaggerate.
Saving the Jews of Denmark,
and now this American article
This is big.
Well, we've all
We actually just did
what needed to be done.
Very good.
But now I need your keenness and ability
to do the right thing at the right time.
Oh
Minister, thank you very much.
It's a it's a real honour
to serve you, Foreign Minister.
- Whatever you want, I am at your service.
- Yes.
And that's why
you're going to be our envoy.
Oh!
In Moscow.
Uh What?
- Of course.
- Me?
This was the first time I ever heard about
Gsta and his department.
They had proved
that ordinary people could defy history.
And make a difference.
- Wha
- Hello.
- Hello. Hey! Welcome back.
- Thanks.
So good to see you.
Hello.
I have these awful allergies.
My eyes and nose just won't stop running.
Mm.
It's good to have you back.
'Cause there's still work to be done here.
And as you know,
I'm terrible at typewriting.
Plus, we have received
a lot of new applications.
Mm-hm.
The others are not
half as efficient as you
We've missed you. Honestly.
It was time to take the next step.
It was time to meet Gsta in person.
My son has started a jazz band
and I promised him I'd go to his concert.
Oh, how wonderful.
That's a matter of opinion.
I think it sounds like
a bit of a racket in all honestly.
I'm looking for Gsta Engzell.
Yes, you are?
Raoul Wallenberg.
I called earlier this week regarding
coming to ask you about your work here.
I must leave now,
uh unfortunately, but, uh
Ms Vogl, Mr Hallonsten, and Mr Hellstedt
can answer all of your questions.
Of course.
- Welcome, Mr Wallenberg.
- Hello there. Thank you.
GSTA ENGZELL NEVER SPOKE PUBLICLY
ABOUT HIS WORK FOR THE JEWS
DURING WORLD WAR II.
You've got to
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Come on, Papa. It's swinging.
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
You've got to spread joy
Up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Isn't it good?
Have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
HE CONTINUED TO WORK IN DIPLOMACY
AND DIED AS AN UNKNOWN SWEDISH WAR HERO
IN 1998, AT THE AGE OF 100.
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark?
THE PROVISIONAL PASSPORT SYSTEM
INITIATED BY GSTA ENGZELL'S DEPARTMENWAS FURTHER DEVELOPED
BY RAOUL WALLENBERG
AND PER ANGER IN BUDAPEST.
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
No, do not mess with
Mr In-Between!
SWEDEN
THANKS TO ENGZELL'S WORK,
MORE THAN 100,000 JEWS WERE SAVED.
Oh, listen to me children
And, uh, you will hear
About eliminatin' of the negative
And an accent on a positive
And gather 'round me children
If you willin'
And sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right
You gotta
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr In-Between
You got to spread joy
Up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Then (otherwise), otherwise
Pandemonium liable
To walk upon the scene