THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
BASED ON STIEG LARSSON'S NOVEL
Today the verdict was delivered in the Wennerström case.
The publisher of Millennium Magazine, Mikael Blomkvist,
has been accused of libel
by successful businessman Hans-Erik Wennerström.
Blomkvist had accused Wennerström of gun-running and other serious felonies
amounting to over 60 million kroner.
The Swedes have never agreed on Mikael Blomkvist.
His supporters claim he's the last bastion
of a journalism with ideals.
But Blomkvist's long career
as a watchdog may now be over.
In the case of Wennerström versus Millennium,
the accused Mikael Blomkvist is found guilty on 6 out of 8 counts.
The accused is sentenced to three months in jail
and will pay damages of 150,000 kroner to Hans-Erik Wennerström.
You have to stop people like Kalle Blomkvist
who sniff around in other people's business due to political differences.
- How will you celebrate? - No comment.
There he is.
- What's it like to be found guilty? - Wonderful.
Can you continue your work as a reporter?
- Cheers, everybody. Merry Christmas. - Cheers. Merry Christmas.
- Cheers. - How do we appeal the verdict?
We support you one hundred per cent, Micke.
But we have to do something. Our advertisers are losing trust.
- We won't win it back by appealing. - But it'll buy us some time.
- No appeal. It's over. - Millennium's future is at stake.
The faster this ends, the better for Millennium.
I don't want to play devil's advocate,
but it might be a good idea if Mikael took leave from Millennium.
Till this thing's blown over.
Merry Christmas.
Wait, Micke.
- They're in shock. - Only Janne dares to speak the truth.
- I was set up. I'm a problem. - We just have to find a way.
It's empty in here.
I haven't written a single word for months now.
Do you understand?
WENNERSTRÖM KNOCKS OUT BLOMKVIST
GOING TO PRISON
Damn.
We don't normally introduce the researchers to our clients.
But your client is special to us, so we'll make an exception.
- It's much appreciated. - But I must warn you.
- Lisbeth is a pretty odd girl. - What do you mean by odd?
Make no mistake. She's the best researcher we have.
Good morning, Lisbeth.
Good morning.
Dirch Frode.
Transcripts of text messages.
E-mails. Bank statements.
How did you get access to all this?
You order the goods. I deliver them.
What can you tell me about Blomkvist?
- It's all in my report. - The short version.
Blomkvist was nicknamed after fictional boy detective Kalle Blomkvist
when he foiled a bank robbery in the eighties.
He's a public figure without any big secrets. Read all the news clippings.
- But he does have secrets? - Everyone has secrets.
To what extent is he affected by the crisis at Millennium?
- Financially, I mean. - Why don't you just read the report?
Miss Salander, is there anything you'd like to add?
What's your personal take on him?
There's something fishy about the Wennerström case.
What do you mean? There's more to the case?
I'm researching Blomkvist, not doing his job.
I'd just like to hear your personal opinion.
Blomkvist's totally clean. I didn't find anything on him.
I don't think he faked any evidence against Wennerström.
I think he was set up.
Why didn't you ask me?
- No lawyer could save me. - I know. I read the verdict.
I didn't want to involve you.
But you could've asked me. I'm your sister.
- I know. - I'm glad.
I'm already in the gutter. Why drag the family down with me?
And you're going to prison. It's insane.
The secret to good meatballs is to wet your fingers.
When you roll them, rub your hands together.
Shit. Will you answer it, please?
- Hello, this is Micke Blomkvist. - You little rascal.
- This is Mikael. - Mikael Blomkvist?
- Yes. Who's this? - My name's Dirch Frode.
I'm a lawyer and I have a client who'd like to see you.
- It's Christmas. What is it about? - My client will tell you himself.
Call Millennium after New Year's Eve.
My client doesn't like waiting
- Who's your client? - Henrik Vanger.
From the Vanger Group?
My client would be very grateful if you'd come.
Listen, it's Christmas, and it's been a hell of a week.
I promise you'll find it interesting.
Blomkvist!
Henrik lives on the island of Hedeby, a mile or two from Hedestad.
The bridge is the only link to the mainland.
In the old days, the Swedish business elite came here.
Now it's just Henrik and his housekeeper Anna who live here.
Thank you for coming, Mikael.
Frode's call was pretty unusual.
- Are you hungry? It's lunchtime. - No thanks. Let's get started.
- I'm going back again today. - Right. No lunch then.
Do you remember her?
It's Harriet Vanger, my brother Gottfried's daughter.
You've met her.
This girl?
Your father worked for me during the summer of 1965.
He was a mechanical engineer at the plant and lived in a cottage here.
You and your mother came for visits
during the weekends.
Harriet looked after you.
You often played down there by the water.
I remember her.
- Harriet. - I never had any children of my own.
Harriet was the apple of my eye. An incredibly smart girl.
She was like a daughter to me.
What happened to her?
- I believe she was killed. - Killed?
This is the Vanger family, Mikael. My family.
September 22nd, 1966. On that day the family gathered in this house
for the yearly board meeting.
30 small-minded and greedy people
fighting for the biggest slice of the cake.
One of these people...
...killed Harriet.
Harriet was 16 years old. It was Children's Day.
She'd been to Hedestad to watch the parade in the main street.
This picture was in the local paper.
She returned to the island around two o'clock.
She wanted to see me, but...
...I was too busy with the meeting
How was she killed?
Nobody knows. She just disappeared.
You're well prepared.
I've been thinking about that day for 40 years.
That's what I call preparation.
Quarter after two there was a serious road accident on the bridge.
A fuel tanker full of gas crashed into a car.
The tanker was blocking the bridge.
It spilled gasoline all over the place.
Nobody could pass the tanker. Everyone had to stay on the island.
By chance, a photographer caught this.
Look at the window.
This is the last picture taken of Harriet.
Officer Morell from Hedestad Police was in charge of the investigation.
He found this film and had the photo blown up.
Since then nobody has seen her.
We waited for her at dinner, but she never turned up.
- Hello? - Lisbeth Salander?
- Who's this? - It's the probation department.
I'm calling to tell you you've got a new guardian.
I already have one.
Your current guardian has had a stroke
so I've had to find you a new one.
I'm glad we could meet even though it's Christmas.
It's a little unfortunate
that Palmgren had such a relaxed attitude towards guardianship laws.
I see you were allowed to control your own finances.
- There haven't been any problems. - No, maybe not.
But as your guardian, I'm legally and financially responsible.
So I'm to blame if you suddenly can't come up with your rent.
I work. I earn my own money.
Yes, I can see you work for Milton Security...
- What do you do? - I make coffee and photocopies.
This is what we'll do:
From now on your pay will be deposited into a new account that I administer.
Each month you'll get a small amount for personal necessities,
but all other expenses have to be approved by me. Okay?
How do you look after your personal hygiene?
What do you mean?
With all those rings. Don't you get infections?
Do you have a boyfriend?
No.
Have you ever had sex?
I'm 24.
I can either write down that you are cooperating,
or that you are causing problems and being difficult.
And then your life’ll get harder very quickly.
So how many people have you had sex with?
- Two. - Two?
200. No. 2,000.
- 200,000. Are we done now? - What kind of sex do you have?
Any special preferences?
What if she simply ran off?
You have to keep the accident in mind. The bridge was closed for 24 hours.
That's the only way off the island.
So Harriet disappeared when nobody could leave.
It was only the next day we started thinking there might be a crime.
But then the bridge was open and the killer could've disposed of the body.
She could have drowned, killed herself.
We dragged for her body. We had tracker dogs and divers everywhere.
Even today, when I go for a walk,
I catch myself looking for her.
When Harriet was eight, she gave me a birthday present.
A framed bluebell from 1958.
After that she gave me a new flower each year.
1966. The year Harriet disappeared.
We're going to the attic.
Amazing.
Every damn year, I receive a framed flower on my birthday
from some far corner of the world.
- Who do you believe sends them? - Harriet's killer.
You don't know my family. You don't know what they're capable of.
Harriet was my favorite. That made her the ideal victim for those
who wanted more power in the Vanger Group.
They wanted to crush me.
I'm 82 years old. The police gave up long ago.
I'll end up going to my grave without knowing
Help me by giving it one last try.
- Why me? - I've followed your career.
You're a damn good reporter. Persistent.
I'm not asking you to solve the mystery. Just try.
You've six months before you have to serve your sentence.
You've devoted 40 years to...
I'll pay you handsomely.
You'll be well off. You've got nothing to lose.
Nothing's waiting for you in Stockholm.
"Mikael Blomkvist resigns from Millennium's board
and will no longer work for the magazine."
Did you write this press release without talking to me?
Only I could make that decision.
What now?
I'll work for Henrik Vanger.
Henrik Vanger?
I see. So now you're working for the big capitalists?
It's not for the Vanger Group.
You're gonna stay there?
In Hedestad?
Have a nice trip.
Come on, motherfucker!
What are you looking at?
- What the fuck? - What are you doing, damn bitch?
That bitch is going down.
- Fucking bitch! - Get her down!
- The bitch is fucking crazy. - Come again, you cunts!
Come on.
Shit.
What do you think?
- I can save the hard drive. - Good.
And the rest?
You have to go shopping
- How did it happen? - Never mind.
You stink of beer.
You think you smell like you just took a shower?
You can borrow my old computer.
I'm using it for back-up, so it has to stay here.
Welcome to Hedeby.
Wonderfully refreshing with this icy weather.
You didn't want to stay in the main building. I hope you'll like it here.
If it gets any colder, the pipes will freeze.
Then you'll have to come to me for water.
Oh, there you are. Just leave it there.
It's some of the stuff I've collected over all these years.
There are photographs. Police reports.
News articles. Even some of Harriet's belongings.
Well, it's a start.
You were a beautiful babysitter.
What happened to you?
Keep Sweden pure!
We are the Swedish National Socialists
and the Aryan race can't do without us!
All in all, the Vangers are a pretty unpleasant bunch.
Most of us hate each other, but are forced together by business.
My brother Harald lives in there.
We don't get along, to put it mildly.
Your brothers Richard and Harald joined a Nazi group in the 30's.
I see... You already know about that.
Gottfried was a member of the Hitler Youth.
All three were Nazis.
Yes. And fanatics, at that.
Richard died in the Finnish Winter War.
Harald has turned into a bitter, old man. He never leaves the house.
Harald's daughter Cecilia is currently in Scotland.
Cecilia and Harald are not on speaking terms.
Martin lives up there. Harriet's brother.
He took over the Vanger Group after me.
Hi.
Well, well. If it isn't the famous Kalle Blomkvist.
Just call me Mikael. Then I know who you're talking to.
I'm eager to hear why on earth
you are to spend six months in this godforsaken place.
Martin's and Harriet's father, Gottfried,
led a miserable, alcoholic life with his wife Isabella.
I've never seen a woman be as bad a mother as Isabella was to Harriet.
I stepped in and took Harriet and Martin under my wing
And that's all of the Vangers who live here.
On that day, even more joined us.
Cecilia's sister Anita who died from cancer.
- Greger Vanger and Ulrika Vanger. - Wait a minute.
Who do you suspect?
Nobody.
And everybody. That's where you come into the picture.
Dear Diary. Today I got this diary from my dear uncle Henrik.
A kind, but busy, man.
He's finally home from his travels and brought me this diary.
I'm by myself in my dad's cottage. Anita will be here soon.
So you're the one sniffing around in family matters?
Hell, you scared me.
Cecilia Vanger. Henrik said you'd be here.
- Mikael Blomkvist. - I recognize you from the papers.
- What have you found? - Harriet's Bible.
She was often up here with my sister.
- Anita? - Yes.
The summer before she disappeared.
- Odd, seeing that her father died here. - Gottfried died here?
He was drunk and fell into the lake. They found him the next morning
Just down there.
It happened the year before Harriet disappeared.
Henrik said you were traveling.
I had to come home in order to hide Harriet's body.
We weren't allowed to be here when we were kids. It was off-limits.
Thanks.
Dear Diary. It's fall now. The weather's getting colder.
Magda 30112.
Sara 32016.
BJ 32027.
U 31208.
Mari 32018.
I don't understand why Henrik hired you.
To be honest, neither do I.
With all respect, there's nothing to find.
It's been nearly 40 years.
You found Harriet's diary in her dad's cottage.
- The diary didn't help us one bit. - What about the phone numbers?
- They were a complete mystery to us. - But 32 is...
32 could be Hedestad. 30 is Norrbyn's area code.
But the names and the numbers don't match.
- Did you call them up? - We did. We even tried backwards.
We switched them, removed numbers. We tried everything.
In the report, she's described as withdrawn and religiously inclined.
Was that your impression?
Who isn't withdrawn at that age?
But, yes. She kept to herself. Anita, her cousin, knew her the best.
Anita is Cecilia Vanger's sister. And Anita is dead.
She died many years ago.
Harriet was my first case.
I've thought about it every day for nearly 40 years now.
I'm retiring this summer. It's only now that I'm able to let it go.
There is no answer.
You'll only breathe life into Henrik's obsession.
Give it up before you become obsessed yourself.
What are you working on?
- Who's this week's victim? - Nobody.
Still that reporter? I thought you were done with him.
Why do you keep at it?
It's a bit slow.
A new computer?
- Yes, I need 20,000. - Why do you need a 20,000 kroner PC?
- So I can play, surf the internet. - You often surf the internet?
Do you chat?
Know what, Lisbeth?
I can't just hand you 20,000.
- Not just like that. - How hard can it be?
Why can't I look after my own money?
Hit me. Come on.
That's what you want, isn't it? Hit me.
If you give me any kind of trouble, I'll make sure
you spend the rest of your life in a closed ward.
I know all about your mental problems and your violent background.
Don't get me wrong, Lisbeth...
I'm more than happy to give you the 20,000.
But, you know, any business transaction
is built on trust. I have to feel that I can trust you.
Can I trust you, baby?
Can I trust you, Lisbeth?
Can I trust you?
If you're nice to me...
If you're nice to me, I'll always be nice to you.
- It's only 7,000. - More than enough for a computer.
What are you looking at?
You said it was a photographer from the paper that shot the parade.
Yes, he covered both the parade and the accident.
The old part of the archive is a jumble.
We haven't digitized it. It's still kept in negative folders.
20... 30...
...40, 50, 60...
A photographer uses between two and ten rolls a day.
Probably closer to ten on Children's Day.
Here. September 1966.
I only need the hour of the parade.
- Knock yourself out. - They're not sorted?
If you're lucky, they might be chronological.
You don't happen to have a negative scanner and a light table?
This is the first lead in the case in 39 years.
It's a start.
It's more than that.
Look.
You get my drift?
Something catches her eye. What is it that frightens her?
Her killer.
He was somewhere here.
Harriet's killer is standing across the street.
- Coffee, Mikael? - What have you found so far?
I must've read...
...several thousand pages. People have worked on this for 40 years.
To be perfectly honest,
I haven't found a thing.
Shouldn't you be in Stockholm trying to appeal your verdict?
- Give it a break. - You give it a break.
- Mikael's old enough to... - I was set up.
An old class-mate gave me a tip concerning Wennerström's company.
It was a good story. Good enough to nail him.
So you'd think.
Yes, because suddenly there was an even better story-
about fraud and gun-running amounting to 60 million kroner.
Wennerström's name was all over it. So far, so good.
Until I wrote the story. Then all my sources disappeared.
And all of the documents and evidence turned out to be forged.
Fake?
So it was an attempt to lure you away from the real scandal?
It was too good to be true.
Do you want something that really is too good to be true?
Single malt. 21 years old.
To hell with all the troubles of the past. Cheers.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
How about one last glass of wine?
I think I've had more than enough.
- Thanks for a nice evening. - Is it because of the investigation?
Because of my secretive family?
- What do you mean? - It could be me. Right?
I guess I'm also on your list of suspects.
- Bjurman. - It's Lisbeth.
- What do you want? - I need more money.
- We'll talk about it. - I need it now.
Welcome.
Come on in.
- I just want my money. - You'll get your money.
Thanks for your last visit. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I won't give you a blowjob every time I need money.
Is that right? Then what do you want?
Do you want me to call the probate department and say
you've trespassed and you're threatening me?
Then we'll see how quickly you're back in the psychiatric ward.
So?
That's much better.
Like that.
Come here.
Come on.
No!
I've got... a rule for you to learn.
If you put up a fight...
Are you a good girl? Are you a good girl now?
NORSJÖ CARPENTERS
My husband died many years ago. So it's just me left.
He worked there as a carpenter for 24 years.
They made everything from clothes pegs to closets.
He built that cabinet. And the lamp, of course.
More cake?
Do you recall if you were in Hedestad in September 1966?
Hedestad...
- In '66. - Yes, in '66.
- Oh, it was our honeymoon. - Wonderful. Do you have snapshots?
We went camping. It was all the rage back then.
It was our best holiday together.
But I guess honeymoons often are.
- But do you have some snapshots? - I sure do.
Who doesn't save the photos from their honeymoon?
In the early years, my husband and I hiked a lot.
My husband was a skilled hiker. We hiked for miles.
He wasn't exactly romantic.
Now, let's see.
Hedestad...
Look. So beautiful.
Even if the photo doesn't do the sunset justice.
Let's see. Here's something.
- There was a parade. - Do you?
What are you doing here? I'm on my way out.
You've misunderstood the rules. You have to make an appointment.
Do you hear me?
Let me go.
Do you hear me? Let me go.
Do you like being tied up?
Or is your only turn-on tying other people up?
It's great.
Did you choose it yourself? You didn't?
I think it's perfect.
You know that show where politicians get busted by candid cameras?
We've got those cameras at work.
I had one in my bag last time I was here.
Welcome.
I just thought you'd make me give you a blowjob.
But you're sicker than I imagined.
It goes on for two hours. Consider the reaction of the police and the media.
Enjoy.
Thanks for your last visit. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I won't give you a blowjob every time I need money.
Is that right? Then what do you want?
I'll tell you how we'll do this. You just nod.
I'll look after my own account. You'll have no access.
I control my own finances.
You got that?
Each month you write in your report that my behavior is perfect.
Better than ever before.
In exactly a year, you'll apply for the termination of my guardianship.
I'll send you further instructions.
You can never contact me again.
If you do, I'll send copies of the video to the police and the press.
The same thing happens, if I'm in an accident
or if you break my rules.
You got that? Good.
I've never done this before. Lie still or it'll get messy.
Lie still.
I'M A SADIST PIG AND A RAPIST
...during the last year...
...an avid interest in religion.
SEND
The guy in the blue sweater. I can't get his picture sharp.
I can't do a thing about it. It's so out of focus.
- Are you sure? - Positive. I've tried everything.
Okay, thanks for trying
Wasp... Harriet's phone numbers.
Book of Leviticus...
"If a woman approaches an animal..."
"If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it,
kill both the woman and the animal."
"Their blood will be on their own heads."
Mari 32018.
Magda 30112.
Leviticus, Chapter 1, Verse 12.
"...she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons,
one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering."
BJ 32027.
"A man or a woman...
"A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist among you
must be put to death. You are to stone them."
Must be put to death.
Frode! What's going on?
It was Henrik. He just collapsed.
- We'll keep you informed. - Thanks.
It's a heart attack. He's having emergency surgery.
What are his odds?
They're talking about a bypass so it's serious.
- You want coffee? - No.
I think you should go on with your investigation.
- Have you assigned someone else? - No, only you.
Someone by the name of Wasp has hacked into my computer.
I've received an e-mail with copies of one of my own documents.
So this person must have gained access to my hard drive.
Do you know anything about this?
No...
No, but I think I've got a good idea
who it might be.
Just stay in bed.
Lisbeth Salander?
- Who are you? - You know. May I come in?
I've read your report. Thrilling stuff.
Particularly that you stole my files. The police would find that intriguing
They also ought to know that you are still hacking into my computer.
If you remove those papers, I'll take off the chain.
What do you want?
- Hi. - Everything all right?
- What do you want? - You got any coffee?
How much do you know about my assignment?
The 40-year-old murder of a 16-year-old girl.
Until today I wasn't even sure that she was killed.
Then you directed me to the Biblical references
about women who should be killed.
- And? - It's the most important clue so far.
- And? - I need your help.
- I'll pay good money. - I've already got a job.
You work as a professional hacker,
but send me an e-mail I can easily trace.
Why?
Huh?
So he'll live?
Can I visit him?
Lisbeth Salander's here.
Okay, Frode. Talk to you soon. Thanks.
If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations...
As we've been sharing files lately, I assume you're up to date.
I am.
You know... What if these quotes don't have anything to do with God?
What if it's a code?
Sara Witt was found murdered in her family's barn
outside Vilhelmina in 1962.
Sara? What else does it say?
"Between 2 and 3 am, the victim was lured..."
"The woman's body was mutilated, possibly in a religious ritual.
The police won't disclose any more details."
Mutilated, possibly religious... Did they find the killer?
No. The case was never solved.
- It's a wild guess. - I know.
- How far is it to Vilhelmina? - Too far on a motorcycle.
What are we waiting for?
- You want to drive? - Why?
- I haven't driven since my divorce. - Then it's about time.
Why do female names always bring you to porn sites?
What are you doing?
I'm getting the computer to search all the newspaper databases.
Let's go to the barn.
They couldn't sell the farm after what happened.
It's been empty ever since.
This is where she was found?
Yes. Her husband found her. It was horrific for him. Horrific.
She was lying right here.
In this booth.
Bound and tortured.
Were the animals also harmed?
How did you know?
"If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it,
kill both the woman and the animal."
- It might be a coincidence. - Yes.
Goddamn, Lisbeth.