The Girl from the Marsh Croft

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THE GIRL OF THE MOORS

Based on the novel

by Selma Lagerlf.

Servant sale at town square.

Too young, she can't do the job.

Redheads talk too much.

Those who neglect their own clothes

will neglect cattle just as much.

- You don't like to work!

- What?

You never to stay at a farm.

Every year, I find you here.

Two people make a meeting. Some owner's

can't treat their servants right.

C'mon!

- I'd sure like to work for him.

- I know you would!

I will go immediately.

Are you looking for a maid?

Yes, indeed.

- What's your name?

- Helga.

You're quite young.

And you're not strong yet.

- But it'll be enough for a maid.

- That's not what I'm here for.

- What's with her?

- Her?

She won't find a job.

Not on a respectable farm.

- No farmer will take her.

- That's Helga Christmann.

- She used to work at the Marshland Farm.

- She worked for Peter Nolde.

- She had to leave that farm.

- Once Nolde was married.

- Oh, so it's her?

- Yes.

- How long did you work?

- 3 years.

- What can you do?

- Household chores and field work.

You won't need to do field work.

Where have you been last?

I was with Jens Willgraff.

- I will talk to him.

- He's at the tribunal today.

Leave the window closed!

Or else you should be

stricken with my gout.

The judge wants those windows

to be opened.

Really?

He suffocates from

all those dusty files.

Did this foul trial

get up his nose?

Defamation, cattle stealing,

legacy hunting, forgery.

The judge is not the only one

who has had it with all these trials.

I can imagine.

I'm looking for Jens Willgraff?

Willgraff!

He was just here.

You and your pranks.

My pranks?

What is it, Karsten Dittmar?

Somebody who is looking

for himself!

I need some information.

Later. At the tavern, with a nice jug.

Alright.

There's only one thing left.

The judge will hurry up.

He, himself has had it, with all this.

The judge

knows what's important.

Money, it's always the money...

This court will now hear

the case..

Of Helga Christmann,

unmarried maid..

From the Marshland Farm,

against Peter Nolde, farmer,

married.

That's me.

- Did the plaintiff not show?

- She's outside, crying.

She's probably ashamed.

Now it's too late!

C'mon in.

C'mon!

Why are you standing

around outside?

You called in the court,

you will only make things worse

if you don't defend yourself now.

So, Helga Christmann,

you filed a suit

against the father of your child,

born on December 5.

Yes.

You claim that the father

of your child is

Peter Nolde.

Yes.

I'm not the father.

It's easy to name your former

employer as the father.

You're sure to get your

money that way.

But...

do you stand by your testimony?

You don't want to answer?

He's the father.

Because Nolde denies..

You will have to testify under oath.

Peter Nolde, are you ready

to take an oath?

Yes.

You are aware of

the meaning of the oath?

You know

committing perjury is a major sin,

heavily punished.

Yes.

For a married man,

it is a sore temptation

to clear himself of all this

under oath.

After this reminder,

would you still

like to go under oath?

I want to.

On the Bible.

He can't vow! He should not vow!

Don't interrupt.

She's scared of losing

her lawsuit.

Peter Nolde,

rest your right hand on this Bible

and repeat after me.

"I swear by God,"

"omnipotent and all-knowing..."

"I swear by God,"

"omnipotent and all-knowing..."

"that the maid, Helga

Christmann and I, never..."

"that the maid, Helga

Christmann and I, never..."

What does she want with the Bible?

She doesn't want to vow?

Silence!

Let justice take it's course.

You can't change anything now.

He can't swear.

I renounce everything!

He is the child's father.

But I can't let my child

have a perjurer

as its father.

He can't swear.

Let it be as you said, Helga.

The charge is to be withdraw.

Are you satisfied with that?

It's for the better.

Thank you, Helga.

You did a good deed.

- What did he say?

- "A good deed".

He said "a good deed".

She didn't seem like this kind of girl.

Don't you want to get in?

I can give you a lift.

Have fun, with her.

Shut up, idiot.

You would be happy,

to have a daughter like her.

So, Karsten Dittmar,

how about a drink?

You wanted to ask me something.

No, it's nothing.

I made up my mind.

I will think this through

before choosing a maid.

Ok, some other time then.

Karsten, when you're passing the bailiff,

give Gertrud my best regards.

I'll pass it on.

Tell her; I hope she will order that

wedding jewellery real soon.

The one she saw at my place!

Why don't you take care of

the horse before you start unloading?

If the servant won't do his job...

The master has to

leave his horse waiting. I know!

Gertrud!

Since when does the bailiff's daughter

have to uncouple all by herself?

If the servant won't do his job...

She will grow up to be

competent woman.

But, I won't let

you leave just yet.

Hello!

Where are you coming from?

From the market,

from court or from the maid market?

All at once.

But the most important bit is coming up.

What is it?

That thing between the two of us.

Father, Karsten will

have lunch with us.

Oh yeah?

Alright then.

Hello, Karsten.

Your father will never forgive me

for being born on a small farm.

He will get accustomed to you,

just wait and see.

Our feelings only matter to us.

Nothing will get between us.

If that guy is the only on

to separate me from you...

We can have lunch in peace!

It's ok, Gertrud.

As long as your father won't invite me,

I'll prefer to eat at home.

It is time to decide

if he's going to get

married or not.

Karsten would be a lucky man,

but the bailiff wants

his daughter to marry a rich man.

Don't you think?

Maybe you should visit

the bailiff and talk to him.

But you never say a word anyway.

She's rich,

she's beautiful and she loves him.

If those 2 don't get married,

it's your fault.

It would be so wonderful!

Marriage, it's like bacon.

If it's meager, it still tastes good,

but it isn't real bacon.

Hello, Mother.

Hello, Karsten.

Hello, Father.

Dinner is almost ready, Karsten.

Gertrud sends her regards to you.

You met her?

So, how did her father treat you?

He's not too happy.

The important thing is that

Gertrud is happy.

She will have her way, eventually.

Did you find me a maid?

There were no suitable maids

on that market.

But then I went to the court.

- The court?

- Yes.

A girl had a lawsuit.

At first, nobody liked her,

she has a bad reputation.

But then...

the judge himself

shook her hand.

Who was it?

Helga Christmann,

from the Marshland Farm.

If the fog

cover the swamp again today...

Yes.

With the fog...

Voices cover the swamp

calling for those who

are wandering outside.

I wonder where Helga is?

This has woodworms all over it.

Good for nothing.

These here...

these will make good shoes.

What are you carving into it?

This sign will bring luck.

Wearing these, you won't get lost

and you won't sink in the swamp.

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