GRAND PRIZE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 1951
MISS JULIE
From the Play by
Screenplay and Direction by
To the barn!
Good evening, and welcome!
- Jean, you promised... - Later.
He doesn't want to.
Look at Jean!
Jean!
Miss Julie's crazy again this evening!
I drove the count to the boat, then stopped by the barn to dance,
where I saw Miss Julie dancing
with the gamekeeper. She saw me and...
She's crazy.
She always has been,
but even more now that the engagement's off.
Still, isn't it odd that she'd rather stay at home with the servants
than visit relatives with her father?
Probably doesn't dare show her face after the scandal with her fiancé.
Will you need the horse this evening, miss?
- I'm going to join my father. - All the way to Sundby?
Shouldn't Jean drive you, miss?
Let's go dance in the barn.
I don't want to.
Charmant. But you might have warmed the plate.
You're fussier than the count himself when you get started.
Don't pull my hair. You know how sensitive I am.
It was just a little love tug.
Beer on Midsummer's Eve? No, thanks.
I have something better. Yellow seal, mind you.
Let's have a little glass.
Very good. Just a touch too cool.
What's that infernal smell?
Some wretched brew Miss Julie wants for Diana.
Cooking for that mongrel on a holiday? Is she sick?
She ran around with the pug from the lodge,
and Miss Julie will have none of it.
Viola!
Jean promised to dance.
I'll teach you to run after someone else's fiancé.
Jean, will you dance with me now?
Of course.
But what a figure!
Those shoulders, and those...
Listen to you.
I've talked to Viola, who helps dress her.
Viola? I've been out riding with Miss Julie.
- Then you've seen a thing or two! - I'll say.
You know what happened at Lovers' Point?
What?
It was the same day Diana betrayed her mistress.
Miss Julie wanted to look at the water lilies,
and her fiancé and I went along.
Bring me one, my knight.
Bring me one.
In a bad mood today?
Jean!
No!
You care more about your dog than about me!
Diana!
Diana, come here!
Give me that.
Allez!
And that was the end of the engagement.
And there she sits.
Yes, there she sits.
Come on!
And her fiancé went off?
To his place on the other side of the lake.
And now he's celebrating Midsummer's Eve with her father.
No wonder she's too ashamed to go.
Is that ready?
There's a bottle on the steps.
Are the ladies keeping secrets?
Curious?
What a lovely scent of violets.
The nerve! So now you know perfumes as well?
And you dance well too.
No, don't look. Go away.
A magic potion for Midsummer's Eve
in which to spy your future sweetheart's reflection?
You'd need sharp eyes for that.
Bottle up the rest.
Come dance with me, Jean.
Forgive me, but I promised Kristin this dance.
She can have the next. May I, Kristin?
Go along, Jean, and be grateful for the honor.
With all respect, is it wise for Miss Julie
to dance twice with the same partner?
What do you mean?
Perhaps I should speak more plainly.
It doesn't look good to favor one servant over the others.
Favor?
I, mistress of the house, honor the servants' ball with my presence.
But if it doesn't suit you, never mind.
See to the horse. I'll find another partner.
No.
Drive me to the stables. I'll see to Diana myself.
The bottle.
Here now, Diana.
You're not angry because I left you, are you?
Will you dance with me now?
You're a good girl. I'm sure you'll make a good wife.
Some gentleman, leaving his lady's side!
On the contrary. I rushed back to the one I abandoned.
Now come and dance.
Why are you in uniform on a holiday? Take that off at once.
Then please step outside, while I put on my black coat.
Bashful on my account? I'll turn my back.
Is Jean your fiancé?
We call it that.
Call it that?
Miss Julie has been engaged herself.
Ours was a proper engagement.
But nothing came of it.
Very nice, Monsieur Jean, very nice!
- Is Madame poking fun? - And you?
You wish to speak French, monsieur?
Where did you learn French? - Switzerland.
I worked at a hotel in Lucerne.
Quite the gentleman.
Charming!
You flatter me.
Me flatter you?
My natural modesty can only lead me to believe
it was the sort of exaggeration sometimes called flattery.
What conversation!
Weren't you born around here?
Yes, my father was a farm laborer here.
I recall seeing Miss Julie as a child. Of course, you didn't notice me.
- Really? - Oh, yes. I remember once...
I mustn't speak of that now. - Oh, yes, do!
No, it wouldn't do. Perhaps another time.
- Is it that awful? - Not at all.
Just a bit awkward.
Look at her.
A fine wife she'll make!
I wonder if she snores.
No, she doesn't.
But she talks in her sleep.
How would you know?
I've heard her.
Why don't you sit down?
- I dare not in your presence. - And if I order you to?
Then I obey.
Wait.
Get me something to drink first. - There's nothing but beer.
You call that nothing?
I have such simple taste that I prefer it to wine.
Allow me.
Aren't you having any?
I'm not a beer lover, but if Miss Julie commands...
Drink to my health.
I believe the big boy is shy.
To my mistress.
Now kiss my shoe.
You should have been an actor.
- This won't do. Someone might see. - So?
You're no longer a child. A lady drinking alone with a man...
- Kristin's here! - Asleep!
Then I'll wake her up.
Wake up, Kristin.
Leave those who sleep in peace!
Good night.
Come dance with me, Jean.
Jean!
Where is he?
We saw her come out. They went to the barn.
He's with her!
Get away from me, you farmhand!
Who are you looking for, sweetheart?
Where are they?
You're a strange one, you know that?
So are you.
Everything is strange.
Life.
People.
Everything is just muck
floating on the water until it sinks.
I have a dream every now and then.
I've climbed up high and can't get down.
I'm dizzy...
but I must climb down.
I don't have the courage to jump.
I can't hold on. I wish I would fall.
I'll find no rest until I get down...
down.
And once I'm down, I long to go even deeper.
Down... down...
Have you ever felt like that?
No.
I often dream I'm lying under a tall tree.
I want to climb up to the top
and rob the nest of its golden eggs.
I climb and climb, but the trunk is so smooth,
and it's so far to the first branch.
I've never reached the top, but one day I will,
if only in my dreams.
- What is it? - Oh, nothing.
Sit down. Let me help you.
Sit still.
Do as I say.
I think you're shaking... a big, strong fellow like you.
With such arms! - Miss Julie!
Will you sit still?
There.
Kiss my hand and say thank you.
Kiss my hand. - Listen to me.
You're asking for it! - For what?
Are you still a child at 25? It's dangerous to play with fire.
Behave!
- Was that in play or serious? - Serious.
You play too seriously, and that's the danger.
I'm tired of play and ask permission to resume my work.
Have you ever been in love?
We don't use that word,
but I was sick once when I couldn't have the girl I wanted.
Who was she?
- You can't make me tell you.
If I ask as an equal, as a friend?
Who was she?
It was you.
How strange.
Yes, isn't it?
Ludicrous.
You know how the world looks from below?
No, you don't.
See the hovel on the gray plains on the other side of the lake?
That was the home I shared with seven siblings and a pig,
there where not even a single tree grows.
But from the window I could see the wall around the count's park,
with apple trees growing over it.
It was the Garden of Eden,
and fierce angels watched over it.
Do you despise me now?
All little boys steal apples.
Another time I got into the Garden of Eden with my mother
to weed the onion beds and garden paths.
There stood a Turkish pavilion covered with flowering jasmine.
The door was open.
I'd never seen anything so beautiful.
My mother wasn't watching,
so I plucked up my courage
and snuck in.
It was early in the morning. No one was likely to come by.
I'd never been in the manor. All I'd ever seen was the church.
But this was much more beautiful.
Pictures on the walls...
red curtains on the windows...
with fringe.
It was like a dream.
A picture of the emperor.
Suddenly my hand brushed against something.
Now do you understand where I was?
I'm coming!
I couldn't climb out the window.
But there was one way out
for someone like me...
and I had no choice but to take it.
Hello, little boy.
Off with you, you little brat!
Jean, chase that urchin out of the garden!
You there!
Yes, you!
Hey!
Where have you been?
You little scoundrel!
Stop that little thief!
Stop that thief!
It must be a dreadful misfortune to be poor.
Oh, Miss Julie...
a dog can lie on the countess's sofa,
a horse can have his nose patted by the young lady's hand,
but a servant...
You know what I did?
The next Sunday, when the family went to visit our grandmother,
I fixed it so I could stay home.
There I was that Sunday morning
scrubbing myself with soap and hot water.
Then I put on my best clothes,
and went to church...
where I was certain
I'd catch a glimpse of you.
I went home determined to die...
for now I'd seen you.
But I wanted to die pleasantly, with no pain.
I remembered it was dangerous to sleep under an elder tree,
and we had a big one in full bloom.
I filled the oats bin with elder flowers and lay down in them.
Have you ever noticed how soft oats are?
As soft to the touch as human skin.
I fell asleep and woke up quite sick,
but I didn't die, as you can see.
You tell a story well, you know that?
I've heard the upper classes speak.
- You listen to our conversations? - Of course!
And I've heard a good deal, sitting up front in the carriage
or rowing the boat.
Once I heard Miss Julie and a girlfriend...
- Heard what? - Nothing I can repeat.
But there's not that big a difference between one class of people and another.
Shame on you!
Now I'll be off to bed.
- On Midsummer's Eve? - I've no desire to dance with that mob.
Row me out on the lake. I want to watch the sunrise.
Take my advice and go to bed.
Am I to obey you now?
Yes. That crowd's coming to look for me.
I love them, just as they love me. Let them come.
They don't love you.
They take your food and spit behind your back.
If they see us together, you're lost.
Look what I found!
My room! There's no other choice!
If they try to break in, I'll shoot! Come!
No, kill me!
Jean!
Open this door!
What are we to do?
- Run away. - Where?
Switzerland, the Italian lakes. You've never been.
What will we do?
I'll start a hotel... everything first-class.
That's the life! Always new faces, new languages.
Never a minute for nerves or brooding.
Bells ringing, trains whistling, buses arriving.
And gold pieces clanging on the counter. That's the life!
- What about me? - You?
Mistress over all, the jewel of the house.
With your looks and manners,
you'll be the queen who sets the slaves in motion with an electric button.
I'll salt up the bills, and you'll sweeten them
with your loveliest smiles.
Let's get out of here on the next train.
Let's see. We'll be in Malmö at 6:30,
Hamburg at 8:40.
Frankfurt, Munich, Basel, Como. We'll be there in three days.
Tell me you love me. Take me in your arms.
I'd like to, but I dare not. Not under this roof.
I love you, beyond a doubt.
Do you doubt it, Miss Julie?
Miss? Call me Julie. There are no more barriers between us.
I can't! There are barriers between us.
There's the past.
There's the count.
I have only to hear that bell upstairs.
And when I see his boots there, so stiff and cocky...
Tradition and prejudice!
Just let us get to a true republic.
I'm a servant today, but in two years I'll be my own man,
and I might... just might... end up a count myself!
Just tell me you love me.
I'll say it a thousand times... later.
But not here.
Above all, no sentimentality.
We must keep a cool head...
like sensible people.
Come sit down. We'll talk as if nothing's happened.
My God! Have you no feelings at all?
Of course. No man feels more deeply than I do.
But the count may be back any moment.
Until then...
What do you think of my plans?
Have you got the capital for such an undertaking?
Of course.
My expert knowledge, vast experience, skill with languages.
The very best kind of capital.
But that won't even buy you a train ticket.
That's why you must be my partner.
But I possess nothing.
Well, then, that's off.
Everything will go on as before.
You think I'll live under this roof as your concubine?
You think I can look my father in the face after this?
What do you want?
Viola says Miss Julie wants me to go get the count.
Nonsense! Go to bed. The count will return when he wants to.
Oh, God! My father! What have I done?
Keep calm and don't play the fine lady.
Let me treat you to something special, little girl.
Is this what love is?
Do you know what love is?
Me? I should say so.
Don't you think I've been here before?
Watch your tone.
Where'd you get that wine? - From the cellar.
- My father's burgundy. - Isn't it good enough?
And I'm drinking beer!
It just shows I have better taste.
Have I been drunk or just dreaming the whole night?
Midsummer's Eve, the feast of innocent games.
Innocent!
A servant is a servant!
And a whore is a whore!
O God, end this wretched life! Save me!
I can't deny I feel sorry for you.
Looking up at you on the terrace from the onion beds...
I can tell you now... I had the same nasty thoughts all boys do.
- But you wanted to die for me. - What?
Oh, the oats bin. That was just talk.
- You mean lies. - Just about.
I read a story about a chimney sweep who hid in a bin of lilacs
to escape being sued for child support.
So I'm to lure in your customers, doctor your bills...
- No, I'll do that part. - To think a human soul could be so filthy!
- Then wash it clean! - Lackey! Stand up when I speak to you!
Lackey's wench! Servant's mistress! Shut up and get out of here!
You call me vulgar?
I've never seen a scullery maid throw herself at a man like you did.
I've only seen such behavior among beasts and whores!
You're right. Strike me, step on me. I deserve no better.
No, forgive me for the things I've said.
I've no wish to strike one who's unarmed,
least of all a woman.
Miss Julie, you're a magnificent woman,
and far too good for the likes of me.
I can never win your love. - Are you so sure?
That I might love you... there's no doubt about that,
for you are good and beautiful and refined.
You're like mulled wine rich with spice,
and one kiss from you...
- Not like this! - How then?
On my knees, kissing your shoe? No, I won't!
- I loathe you but can't escape you. - Then escape with me!
Escape? Yes, we shall escape!
Jean!
Are you in here?
Good Lord, I'm hungry.
Are you here, Jean? Lord am I sleepy.
Give me some wine.
Go get ready. I'll see to a carriage.
Hey, wake up!
Miss Julie wants her carriage. On your feet!
Come here.
You've told me your life story. Now I'll tell you mine.
We should get better acquainted before setting off together.
- Don't drink any more. - What's it matter?
You must see me as I am.
Besides, everyone knows my secrets.
My mother there came from quite plain stock.
She was raised with the ideas of the day about women's freedom.
She didn't want to marry,
and she told my father so when he proposed.
She said no.
She wouldn't be my wife,
but she'd gladly be my mistress.
She's a child. So innocent, so wonderful.
Let her have her way.
- What does this mean? - We love each other.
- And marriage? - Unnecessary.
Wait till you see her. All your doubts will vanish.
I can see you now when I bring her from town.
You'll come rushing from beyond the lake
in a great flurry of boats and horses and carriages.
They won't see what's right.
Then I won't see them either!
Berta, listen to me.
These curtains will not be raised until they come beg your forgiveness.
We have one friend left.
Robert...
you're a man of these modern times.
You come from simple folk, just like Berta.
Stand by us and help us raise
our child.
What child?
I mean... the son we'll have someday.
The carriage is ready, Doctor.
There's no doubt about it.
She's with child. Congratulations.
God in heaven!
Is she happy?
Extremely.
A child!
My darling.
She's dead!
What's that?
Dead? Who's dead?
What's this nonsense?
What kind of household is this?
Quiet, woman!
Is she...
She's no more dead than you or me.
You fell for her trick.
He who laughs last laughs best.
Show him his son.
You're dismissed.
Good night.
Thus I came into this world
against my mother's wishes.
Then I had to be raised.
I was to be an example that women were equal to men.
I was dressed in boys' clothes.
Julie.
I had to learn to groom the horses every morning.
I was watched like a hawk.
I went along on hunts.
I was so frightened.
I had to learn to till the land.
Sometimes I was so tired the plow would drag me along.
And slaughtering the calves.
The blood!
The men on the estate were assigned women's work.
And the women were given men's work.
As a result, the estate almost went under.
We were the laughingstock of the whole countryside.
Then one day my father awoke from the spell.
Wicked child!
Look what she's playing with! Is this the thanks I get?
You little...
No, you don't.
My Blenda!
My poor little girl.
Stop it!
Listen, Berta.
We're calling our friends back and having a proper church wedding.
Understand?
Come and dance, Julie.
For the last time: Do you still refuse to attend?
Then we'll manage without you.
- Carl... - It's too late!
Blenda!
Where's my Blenda?
Friends, seven years ago I vowed
these curtains would not rise until you all gathered here again.
That moment has come. May the flames outside blaze
in the name of friendship, truth and liberty!
Cheers!
Fire! Fire!
The house is on fire!
Save all that can be saved.
Where's Julie?
We lost everything
and had to sleep in the carriages.
Father didn't know where he'd find the money to rebuild.
Then Mother advised him to borrow from their best friend.
Father agreed.
But he wasn't allowed to pay interest, which surprised him.
Mother argued passionately,
but Father didn't understand a word.
But they had a friend who was willing to help.
And what a friend!
And so the manor was rebuilt.
Do you know who started the fire?
Your mother.
Do you know who the friend was?
Your mother's lover.
You know whose money it was?
Just a moment.
No, I don't know.
My mother's. She'd entrusted it to her friend.
Who copped it.
Exactly.
He kept it.
But my father found out.
He couldn't bring suit,
or pay his wife's lover,
or prove it was his wife's money.
Papa!
What was that?
Poor Papa!
The count's shot himself. We must get him into bed.
Jean, come here!
Good Lord!
The count shot himself!
After Papa's abortive attempt at suicide,
she took charge of me.
She taught me to hate and mistrust men.
And one fine day you got engaged to the county attorney.
It's just a little Christmas present.
But you got engaged.
Yes, to make him my slave.
And he didn't want to be?
He did, but I wouldn't let him.
Frankly, I'm tired of all this. I'm going to bed.
You know what a man owes a woman he's dishonored?
Here. I won't be in debt to anyone.
Is there no other solution besides going abroad to marry and divorce?
Supposing I don't want to?
Don't want to?
I come from better stock. There are no arsonists in my family.
Your ancestor was a miller whose wife once slept with the king.
I have no such ancestry.
This is what I get for confiding in a scoundrel,
for sacrificing my family's honor.
Honor?
Dishonor!
Dear God, help me! Where shall I turn?
I was mad, but is there no salvation? God, help me!
Calm down. Stay here then.
I can't. People know. Kristin knows.
No, she doesn't.
- It could happen again. - That's true.
No.
- And the consequences? - What's that?
The consequences!
What was I thinking? We must get away before the count returns.
I'm so tired! I can't!
I order you: Go get some money and come back here.
Stay with me.
Now you're crazy again.
No! Now go!
Speak kindly to me, Jean.
A command always sounds unfriendly.
See how it feels?
Hey there!
What have you two been up to?
Miss Julie dragged the servants in here. Did you sleep right through it?
Yes, like a log.
Are you dressed for church?
You promised to come to church with me today.
So I did.
You're right. Let's go.
I'm so sleepy.
What have you been doing all night?
You're all green in the face.
I sat and talked with Miss Julie.
That creature has no idea of what's proper.
Say, Kristin.
It's funny when you think about it.
Miss Julie!
What's so funny exactly?
Everything.
Have you been drinking together?
Shame on you!
Look me in the eye!
Yes!
Can this be?
Yes, it can.
I'd never have believed it!
Shame on you!
- Jealous? - Of her? Never!
If it was Viola, I'd scratch her eyes out.
But Miss Julie!
And the count!
The count?
He's suffered so much.
Good Lord, what will he think?
I'll say good-bye now.
I've arranged to catch the morning train.
Yes, of course.
We're going to watch the sunrise.
But then we'll see you to your train. - Fine.
- Are you all packed? - Yes.
Give her a chance.
You're fond of her,
and deep down she's fond of you.
Come see her one last time.
Don't go yet.
I must see her once more.
This is really -
Go get ready. We'll go to church.
The poor count.
Shh! Kristin's awake.
What's wrong with you? - What?
You're pale as a corpse, and your face is dirty.
Let me wash up.
The sun's coming up.
- Come with me. I've got money now. - Enough?
I can't travel alone.
Midsummer's Day, a crowded train, people staring. I can't!
And all the childhood memories.
Midsummer days, and the church decked with birch leaves.
The table laid for dinner.
Dancing, music and games.
We try to run, but our memories follow behind.
I'll come with you, but in a moment.
- What's that? - My finch.
We're not taking a birdcage!
I can't leave it with strangers. I'd rather you killed it!
- Give it here. I'll wring its neck. - Don't let it suffer.
My little Serine, dying for your mistress.
Don't make a scene. Your life's at stake.
Kill me too!
I loathe and despise you! I curse the day I met you!
I curse the day I was born!
- Go now! - No, I must look.
Quiet! I hear a carriage.
Think I can't stand the sight of blood?
I'd like to see your whole sex floating in a sea of blood!
You think I love you and want your child.
You cur, you wear my collar!
A lackey with my coat of arms! So I'm to be my housemaid's rival?
You think I'll flee like a coward, but I'm staying.
The carriage has stopped. My father's home.
He's going up the steps.
He sees the desk forced open, the money gone.
He rings
this bell twice for the servants.
Then he sends for the police, and they arrive.
And there I stand before him.
I'll tell everything, if only it will end.
Just let it all end!
He goes into his room without a word and-
And thus there'll be an end to all of us.
All will be peace and quiet
and eternal rest.
The coat of arms will be shattered...
while the servant's line continues on in the orphanage,
wins laurels in the gutter and ends in jail.
Bravo, Miss Julie!
There's royal blood speaking!
Bravo!
Help me, Kristin!
- What's all this fuss on the Sabbath? - I'll be shaving.
Kristin, Jean and I can't stay. We have to go away.
I have an idea.
Let's all three of us open a hotel in Switzerland.
I have money. You can oversee the kitchen.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Say yes!
You've never traveled. You must see the world.
It's such fun just to take a train. New faces, new countries.
We'll see the zoo in Hamburg.
You'll like it.
And there's the museums in Munich.
And then we'll set up our hotel.
I'll be in the office, and Jean will see to the tourists. What a life!
Trains whistling, buses arriving, bells ringing everywhere.
And you'll sit like a queen in the kitchen.
You won't be standing over the stoves, of course.
With your looks... and this isn't just flattery...
you'll catch yourself a rich Englishman one day.
We'll all be rich, and we'll build a big villa on Lake Como.
Of course it rains there now and then.
But the sun must shine sometime, even if the sky is dark.
Otherwise we can come home again.
Here...
or somewhere else.
Miss Julie, do you really believe all this?
I...
I don't believe in anything anymore.
So you thought you'd run off!
Run off? Who said that?
And I was to be this woman's kitchen maid?
- Don't speak of your mistress like that. - Mistress!
Have you no respect for your betters?
Are you coming to church? You could use a good sermon now.
No, you go on alone.
I'll do that.
Our savior died for our sins,
and if we have faith in him, he'll take our guilt upon himself.
If only I had your faith.
I'll go by myself.
And I'll tell the stable hand not to let the horses out,
in case someone tries to get away before the count returns.
Good-bye!
Damn you!
What would you do if you were me?
If I were you?
I don't know.
Wait. I do.
This?
Home we go, then.
I can't!
My father couldn't either.
He had to get revenge first.
Now my mother has gotten revenge through me.
Julie?
She's still asleep, but we'll wake her. Have a smoke on the terrace.
Who's to blame?
I don't know.
What's it matter? I must bear the consequences.
The count's back.
Yes, sir?
Yes, sir.
At once, sir.
Half an hour. Yes, sir.
What did he say?
He wants his boots and coffee in half an hour.
I'm so tired. I can't do anything.
I can't run, I can't live, I can't die.
Help me! Command me, and I'll obey like a dog!
I don't know why, but now I can't either.
I don't understand.
Since I heard his voice... I can't explain it.
It's the damned servant in me!
I believe...
if he came and told me to slit my throat...
I'd do it on the spot.
Julie!
She's leaving on the morning train.
Dear Lord, that's my train!
We have to stop her.