Der brænder en ild
Der brænder en ild is a 1962 Danish family-comedy-drama film based on the 1920 book of the same name by novelist Morten Korch. Directed by Alice O'Fredericks and Robert Saaskin, the movie stars Poul Reichhardt, Bodil Udsen, Ib Mossin and William Rosenberg.
The film is set in 1920 and follows the return of Martin, a charismatic outdoorsman who returns to his old farm and home after working abroad in Greenland for nine years. He reunites with his former love Martha, but is heartbroken to discover she ended up marrying his old friend Just. Although having initially planned to use his savings to start up his own machine station, Martin decides to help out the hardworking Just in settling his many debts and loans. Just, however, is extremely hesitant to accept financial aid from a former boyfriend of Martha's. Subplots concern the romantic interest of Henrik and Jesper, both farmworkers who develop a feud over a woman.
The motion picture premiered in Copenhagen and Aarhus cinemas on 12 February 1962 and became a critical and major commercial success. Production and distribution was done by ASA Film. Like several other films adapted by Korch's popular family novels, the film developed a cult following and is regarded as one of the best from the Korch-era.
Plot
After working in Greenland for almost nine years, Martin returns in 1920 to his childhood home, hoping to benefit from the short-lived economic boom following the First World War.He takes a quick tour of the now-industrialized city and greets his old friends at the inn, and then visits his puppy love Martha. She is delighted to see him, but tells him she has married someone else. Fearing Martin's reaction, she decides not to mention her spouse is Martin's childhood comrade Just, a stubborn and hardworking farmer. Upon learning of this, Martin becomes emotionally frustrated. Even so, he accepts Just's offer of work and accommodation at his farm. He learns that Just is in conflict with his uncle Bent, co-owner of the farm, who wants to sell the property before their money situation worsens. Just angrily resists, hoping to borrow money from the bank to tide them over.
Meanwhile, young farmworkers Henrik and Jesper share a romantic interest in Just and Martha's daughter Inge. Henrik asks Inge to accompany him to a party in the city, but she declines, insisting she has to work that night. Henrik becomes angry when he later sees Inge at the party with Jesper. Henrik confronts Inge and demands an explanation while Jesper, who is drunk, visits the restroom. Inge explains she was not planning on attending, but changed her mind at the last minute. Henrik and Inge enjoy themselves on the dance floor. As the drunken Jesper makes his way back to Inge, he is pulled aside by Erna, who informs him that she is pregnant with his child. Jesper denies being the only man to have had sex with Erna, a statement that enrages her. When Jesper says he intends to do nothing, Erna slaps him. Jesper loses his temper and grabs Erna by the wrists. Erna, in tears, tells Jesper she knows he is trying to seduce Inge and calls him a playboy. Insulted, Jesper returns to the dance floor, only to find Inge embracing and kissing Henrik. A fight breaks out, and Jesper and Henrik are kicked out of the party.
Back at the farm, Just and his wife meet with their attorney H. C. Holm, who tells them the bank will never lend them money as long as they have unpaid loans. Fearing eviction, Martha goes to Martin to ask for help. Out of his feelings for Martha, Martin agrees to loan them about 40,000 Kroner. His pride hurt, Just refuses to accept help, especially from Martin, who he accuses of flirting with his wife. Martha decides to set parts of the farm on fire, hoping to collect the insurance money. When Just's best horse becomes trapped in the flames, Martin delivers the suffering horse a coup de grâce. When Martha learns that the farm was not sufficiently damaged for an insurance claim, she decides to try again. By chance, Martin discovers the second "accident", and puts the fire out. He becomes suspicious when he finds the remains of a candle and some old newspapers. Fearing Martha had something to do with it, he tells no one.
As a few weeks have passed, Bent informs Just he will declare bankruptcy on behalf of the farm unless he sells. With little choice, Just ends up accepting Martin's money. Martin ends up marrying Martha's friend Karen, who has been infatuated with him since his return. At the same time, Inge enthusiastically accepts Henrik's marriage proposal. Sober and ashamed of his actions, Jesper declares he will accept responsibility for his child with Erna, but he cannot marry her, because his mother would never accept it.
Cast
- Poul Reichhardt as Martin
- Astrid Villaume as Martha Hovmann
- William Rosenberg as Just Hovmann
- Birgit Sadolin as Karen
- Ib Mossin as Henrik
- Puk Schaufuss as Inge Hovmann
- Jørn Jeppesen as Bent Nisted
- Bertel Lauring as Jesper
- Birthe Lundsgaard as Erna
- Knud Hallest as H.C. Holm