During the war an American bomber made an emergency landing -
- somewhere in the south of Norway.
Eight men parachuted out and each had their own experience.
The ninth man died.
It was left to Unit 15 and other good people -
- to find the parachutists before the Germans.
This film tells the story of how they went about it.
It is loosely based on the experiences of those involved.
This film has been made possible through the participation of Unit 15.
With thanks for their advice and guidance, we proudly present:
EMERGENC Y LANDING Based on an idea by Colbjörn Helander
It's an American.
- Yes? - Drop everything and get going.
Drop? Are you out of your mind? I'm holding explosives.
Then put them down carefully.
Report to London and meet up at the church.
Use only the smartest men. Bye.
You're a highly inflammable gardener.
- Can you smell the gas? - Not that much.
You're sailing the Yankees to Sweden.
Explosives one way, Yankees the other way. How many?
I don't know yet. They're lying all over the place.
How many were there and where were they?
Did they land in the lake? Or in the woods, maybe?
Or maybe in the village? I didn't have a clue.
But the skipper wasn't the only one who had a surprise.
It was a Sunday. And we didn't know if they'd managed to hide.
We didn't know if they were all alive.
My head was full of questions -
- as I got on my bike and started the search.
Beat it! Clear out!
- You have to... - How is he?
Both his legs are broken and his face is burned.
Come on!
- Okay, go and pick berries. - I'm 20, but pretending to be a boy.
Forget about your age.
Report on the plane and get back to the church. Okay?
Henrik told you to come at once. He's found something.
- I didn't hang that there. - No, and you've never seen it.
Where is he?
The Germans won't find him if they keep going straight.
How do you say stole på?
Where did they go?
If they're told to go straight ahead, they just march on.
He's waking up.
Come on, Henrik. We have to drag him.
- He'll pass out with that leg. - Come on.
They found one.
Hurry!
Let me.
- Did you see any more? - No, just him.
Get back as soon as you can, okay?
- Did you hear me? - Yes.
I was so frightened.
Too frightened to deliver a message?
- No, I feel better now. - Good.
Listen up now.
The message is that an organ player named Alf Sånerud has arrived.
There are orders to eliminate him.
He's a dangerous informer who specializes in church communities.
His alias is Strawman as he's always chewing a straw.
Morning.
Huh?
- You're the bell-ringer? - I am indeed.
- It's a beautiful, old church. - Too old and too beautiful.
Would it be possible to see it?
- You're interested in culture? - Yes.
- You would like to see the church? - Yes.
When we have visiting hours, I sit up there and ring the bell -
- and anyone can come and visit the church.
It's Edvardsen.
A good old hymn...
Edvardsen... You have to get hold of Knut.
- Are we getting a new lodger? - Yes. And he has to fix a leg.
Won't he scream?
Sing as loud as you can and no one will hear.
Hans...
Don't forget that it's today your marriage is announced.
I won't. Tell Kristin I'll go and see her when she's playing.
- Was your wedding announced? - No, in a minute.
Yes, that's my sweetheart.
What's the word for underkjole?
Today I announce the marriage of the organ player, Kristin Tønnesen -
- and the gardener, Hans Ellingsen.
May God bless your life together -
- and spread peace in your hearts and your home.
May your future be bright under the Lord's love and care.
How long will you postpone it this time?
You're wrong, my dear. Your groom has gotten hold of all we need today.
Stop talking nonsense.
We've got the captain in the attic.
He's given us his parachute as a wedding present.
There'll be 12 of each, just like in the old days.
We'll save it till the war is over.
It needs washing.
Where did you hide it?
In Henrik's dungheap.
What's your job for me today?
Get people away from the church, so we can work.
I want to do something more difficult.
It's difficult enough as it is.
Do you love me?
Only if you love me...
I have to play again now.
Don't forget people are coming tonight.
If the collection's successful, all will be here at evening service.
It's waterproof.
- How far is Drammen? - You're going as far as that now?
No, I have to look for the captain.
My mum and dad walked from Drammen when I was ten.
- They walked all the way? - No. I mean they left by boat.
- Germans? - Far too many.
Wait till my husband's back from church. He told me to keep you here.
Your poor mum.
- I landed in our old country. - Please go and hide in the cellar.
For climbing masts. My husband works for the telephone company.
That crazy kid.
FOR THE POOR
Let's see what we have for the poor.
You can start counting.
Maja has found...
...someone in high heels in the cowshed.
...10... 11...
...12,50... 13...
- High heels? - There were no women on the plane.
- He didn't say so. - Maybe he wanted it kept secret.
23 kroner and 18 øre.
It's strange.
He has to go and lie down now. The orders are that you're ill.
Oh no, do I have to? Not again.
This is the next one. American, but speaks Norwegian. At Johannes'.
His name's Mart. Go get him, Hans.
I'll take the high heels as well.
Please can I be well enough to avoid being confined to bed?
He's still here.
You know they're watching me and I'm going to be here a lot.
One of us must preach and one of us must fight.
You're in the Resistance. You should know to obey orders.
You're a bell-ringer. You should know not to smoke in the bell tower.
- Edvardsen... - Here's your medicine.
Show Eddie this and tell him I'll fetch him if he knows him.
Did the artist find one as well?
What a beautiful church.
- Did you see what you wanted? - I'd like to study it more.
Watch it. You could fall down. The trap door isn't safe.
- You're having a funeral? - Yes.
Tomorrow, it'll be the last resting place for a farmer.
I'm waiting for the organ player. We studied together before the war.
So you're an organ player?
Alf!
- What on earth are you doing here? - I came by to see you.
- Did you hear me play? - You played well.
Had I known...
Then you would've been scared to play for an old, talented colleague.
Wait!
- What is it? - Can you hide me?
I'm wanted. I have to leave right away.
Do you know anyone who can get me out of the country?
I should have stayed at home to look after him.
Good work, Johannes. Where is he?
I was devastated to see the bird had flown when I got home from church.
Where is he?
I saw him up a mast. I couldn't go after him.
- The Germans are all over the place. - No, you are.
All right. I'll find him.
- What will he think of us? - Do you want another cup of coffee?
Hi, Mart. I've got greetings from Eddie.
I was just about to call him.
You've climbed the wrong mast. That's the light.
So that's why I didn't get through.
Take off those pointy shoes...
...and go hide in the field.
- Can you see the bell tower? - Yes.
First crawl to the cemetery.
Then you come to the back of the church.
The church is empty. Go up in the bell tower.
Do you understand?
And one more thing. Were there any women on the plane?
Someone in high heels.
I see, Texas in high heels.
Take a look at his boots.
Fits the description.
- What does he say? - He doesn't want to leave you.
What did he say?
A cowboy feels at home in a cowshed, not in a bomber.
- Please tell him something from me. - Sure.
Thank him for his help.
- What did you say? - Take it easy.
I told him we have to find a way for you to get him to the tower.
But we don't even know if this organ player's all right.
- I think so. - Think? We have to be sure.
You have to put him off anyway. We've got our hands full.
He's a nervous wreck.
Play a piano duet with him... and think of me.
So this Pat was the second to jump?
Al is dead.
Heil! Where are you off to?
- I have to pick up a patient. - Doctor's visit!
- Who is the patient? - Who is the patient?
- An artist who's gone insane. - An artist who's gone insane.
- Go with him. - Yes, sir.
She's sane.
Good.
- Should I wait downstairs? - No, wait.
This is not my idiot. I'm looking for another patient.
Oh God! There's one more?
Did you hurt him?
No, I think we all scared each other.
- What have they done to you? - I just get terribly nervous.
But the painting's all right.
They're shooting far too much. All those loud bangs...
- I didn't mean to scare you. - Come with me.
Thank you for your help.
Are you taking my model from me?
He's totally crazy.
I'm getting out now, Doctor.
I really don't have the time.
- No! - It'll soon pass.
- Let me get out at once! - But you as a German soldier...
I don't care. Stop!
- Is Hans in the tower? - Both bosses are fetching Americans.
I just needed something to go with the bread.
Help yourself.
- They need both clothes and food. - I have a message for Hans.
Hans is looking for someone who landed on the beach.
Is that where he is?
Is it something special?
- And no one has been here? - No, thank God.
Only the ones who're supposed to be here.
What are you thinking about? That my playing has become unsteady?
No, it's just the harmonium. I practice in the church.
No, it's because I'm nervous. I've played a lot lately.
And played well.
Very well.
What's stopping you from helping me?
- Don't think that... - Is anything the matter with me?
You've always been so elusive.
Is that so strange? In times like these?
When you talk about playing... Do you mean playing the organ?
Maybe, maybe not.
Don't you trust me?
I haven't seen you since war broke out. I'm just careful.
I took a chance on you. Now you need to take one on me.
- Do you practice every day? - Yes. I have to go to the church.
- May I come and listen? - No, you'd better stay here.
- Practice makes perfect. - I'm not at all perfect.
It's sensible of you...
...not to kid yourself.
Then you won't have to take a fall.
And it's a long way... down.
Alf, I know someone who can help you.
The pilots usually get away.
It's a shame they're in a hurry.
You would like them to say: "It's fun here. I'm staying."
What would you say if you met one?
"Darling! Winter is near. I'll knit you mittens."
No, seriously. I mean it.
I'd hide him where only I could find him.
What if one of them were looking at you now?
- Now? - Yes.
- I'd hide him and not tell. - You'd tell me.
I'd say: "Sir, I'm a friend who wants to help. All the other girls..."
Nonsense! You'd come running to me and say: "Tora! I've found someone."
- I wouldn't act that stupid. - Yes, you would.
- I've found something! - What is it?
Something big. It's silk!
Don't steal the shirt of your friend in need.
Are you crazy?
You fool!
I've had harder tasks today. Hans!
Don't say a word.
- A parachute... - We wanted a pilot.
Take that shirt off. Here's the owner.
- Hans! - Just a minute.
What is it?
An organ player named Alf Sånerud has come to our town.
There are orders to eliminate him. He's a dangerous informer...
- We need gas, Knut. - Now?
There's an informer here. I don't know if he knows.
- Has he been to the church? - Yes. Kristin knows him.
He's an organ player. There are orders to eliminate him.
Where is he now?
I asked Kristin to watch him, but she doesn't know how dangerous he is.
All right. We have to clear out, then.
- How many do we miss from the plane? - We have to save the ones we have.
We'll get them out before evening service.
What about the organ player?
He can live for many more days. If he stays away.
Kristin!
You're so passionate. What's gotten into you?
I was afraid something had happened to you.
Why?
Where is he?
Kristin, hurry home and make sure he stays there.
So he is? So he is on the wrong side.
He won't harm you. Just go.
But will he harm you?
Not if you look after him.
Please go.
You're busy today, aren't you? You've been all over the place.
A doctor is always busy.
- Are you looking for something? - What do you mean?
- Where are you going now? - To the priest. He's ill.
Heinrich!
- Heinrich! - Yes, sir!
To the priest.
- He wasn't there. - He must be here somewhere.
He's the one who's playing.
He has come to his own funeral. And he's even playing at it.
Hans! Don't... Here in the church.
No. But he has to get out. Quick. And you have to take him.
- Me? - Yes. Take him to the woods.
- Tell him you'll help him. - Oh no.
- You have to do this, Kristin. - Oh, no.
Will someone follow us?
He's much more dangerous than you think.
Very dangerous.
But he's just sitting there playing. He thinks he's all alone.
We have a crew here. We can't take a chance on a condemned informer.
You do understand why he came here?
Will it be you who follows us?
Someone will take over in the woods.
You just run. And don't look back.
Will it be you, Hans?
Don't ask.
I went in without asking permission.
It's a good organ.
It's not nice to play with a straw in your mouth.
I neither smoke nor drink, Kristin.
I came for you. We have to get going at once.
- You've found a hiding place? - I'm taking you there now.
- Is it far from here? - No.
Kristin...
- That wasn't far. - Alf!
Go down the stairs.
- If you scream, you're a dead man. - If you shoot me, so are you.
Sit down.
- Hans! - Kristin's okay, right?
She's okay. But she's very downhearted.
Tell her I'll be there soon. And get Knut. Hurry!
Tell him to bring his suitcase.
Well, the fever's gone.
Are you convinced now?
You forgot to examine my tongue.
Let me see, please.
- Did I insult anyone? - No, not at all.
- So now I can get out of bed. - No, stay, until you go to church.
The Americans must wait till tonight. The hearse'll be here any minute.
- I can't take a chance on Strawman. - Strawman's in the attic.
Hans doesn't know what to do. You have to help.
- Where is he? - In there.
- It was stupid of him to come. - Yes, but...
An order is an order.
They're coming, Hans!
- The Germans? - Yes.
So Strawman got the best of us.
- We'll shoot our way out. Eddie... - Hans!
What on earth are they?
Look!
They're going to bury Al.
Now we've got the chance. Bandage up Eddie and Strawman.
- Bandages? - From the neck and up.
We have to get them out. Hurry up.
Kristin.
- Do we need two? - Yes, there's one more.
Henrik will take the rest in the truck.
Kristin, go and tell Wille he can get up for the evening service.
Hans, I've hidden Pat. He's in the fir bushes by the road.
Tell him to wait there.
My English isn't exactly fluent...
- Am I well now? - Yes.
Just in time for the evening service.
I'm tired of this pharmacy.
And I have to ask you to keep this.
I think you've had a tougher day than me, my girl.
- Follow us. - We'll leave straight away.
- It's time for evening service. - Henrik's ready.
- Now it's your turn. - It's broken down.
People will be here in a few minutes.
Do you see that?
It's the German ambulance.
They're taking the one whose legs you fixed.
- What does he look like now? - You can only see his nose.
Once again, only the nose is showing.
- They're heading for the ferry. - I know what you're planning.
Let's follow them.
Everyone, please leave the cars!
- Also patients? - Women, children and patients.
Everyone has to leave the cars!
Is the skipper all right?
Let's hope it works out.
- Are all three yours? - No, only the Norwegian patients.
The one the German brought is an American.
- Then I'm expecting three more. - Who?
- Did you hear the shots just now? - Yes.
It was the Germans executing five airmen in the woods.
Now we can put them back.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive...
- Quiet. Go! - It won't start.
- Did you hook up the gas line? - I wasn't born yesterday.
Has it broken down?
Yes. Can you give us a ride?
Okay, if you'd like to.
Come on, guys. We'll get a ride with the Germans.
God almighty!
- Take it easy. - Now it wants to drive!
Are you ready? No one shoots unless ordered.
- Are you ready? - Ready.
- Are you ready? - A mosquito bit me on the ass.
- Isn't it coming soon? - Are you nervous?
- We're going to England. - We know a shortcut.
You there! Stop!
- Your papers. - Thank you.
Your papers, Jewish bastard.
Keep your calm. Get them back in the truck.
- They're running late. - They should've been here by now.
I guess we have to keep them here until midnight.
We do.
There they are.
Just in the nick of time.
- We have to go at once. - What happened?
- They're holding the Germans back. - Did they see you?
They saw me and Henrik.
- I'll cast off then. - Wait.
You have to go with them.
- Me? - You have to go to Sweden.
Are you crazy? Our wedding was announced in the church.
- You have to get married in Sweden. - Give those to the old bell-ringer.
They know your face now, Hans.
All right. Tell Kristin I'll wait for her at the pier in Strømstad.
Henrik and her will be on the next boat.
- He'll come back to you soon. - I want to tell him to hurry home.
What a day!
In a couple of days they'll be on their wings again.
Subtitles: Malene Hollnagel Scandinavian Text Service 2008