''The Master and His Servants'' ( no, Herren og hans tjenere) is a 1959 Norwegian

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by

Arne Skouen Arne Skouen (18 October 1913 – 24 May 2003) was a Norwegian journalist, author, film director and film producer. Biography Arne Skouen was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway. His parents were Peder Nikolai Skouen (1883-1978) and Jenny ...

. The film is based on a 1955 play by Axel Kielland, who also plays a minor character in the film. The play and the film is based on true events in Sweden. ''The Master and his Servants'' was entered into the

9th Berlin International Film Festival The 9th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 26 June – 7 July 1959. The festival welcomed the cinematic movement known as the New Wave and screened the work of directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Agnès Varda and François T ...

Plot

Just after Sigurd Helmer (Claes Hill) is ordained a bishop, his archrival Tornkvist (Georg Løkkeberg) hands over a letter to the police claiming Helmer obtained his position through foul play. A power struggle between the two ensues which has serious implications for Helmer. The letter proves that Helmer has slandered his competitor Tornkvist in anonymous letters. Tornkvist reveals his accusations at the inaugural dinner at the bishop's home. At the same time he announces his engagement to the bishop's daughter, Agnes (Anne-Lise Tangstad), who sides with him against her own father. Tornkvist and Agnes leave and the party breaks up in bewilderment. Helmer is left with his wife, who is torn between her love for her husband and her Christian faith. She wants him to accept responsibility like a true Christian. Eventually it emerges that Helmer's secretary had written the anonymous letters slandering Tornkvist. The secretary writes a confession and tries to commit suicide.

Cast

Claes Gill Claes Gill (13 October 1910 - 11 June 1973) was a Norwegian writer, poet and actor. Born in Odda, but spent his childhood years in Bergen, before moving to Oslo permanently. His most famous works were the poetry book ''Fragment av et magisk liv'' ...

- Sugurd Helmer, biskop *

Wenche Foss Eva Wenche Steenfeldt Stang (5 December 1917 – 28 March 2011), better known as Wenche Foss (), was a leading Norwegian actress of stage, screen and television. Personal life Wenche Foss was born to engineer Christian August Steenfeldt-Foss ( ...

- Fru Helmer *

Georg Løkkeberg Georg Løkkeberg (20 November 1909 – 19 August 1986) was a Norwegian actor and theatre director. He appeared in 29 films between 1934 and 1978. He starred in the film ''The Master and His Servants'', which was entered into the 9th Berlin In ...

- Arvid Tornkvist, dr. theol * Urda Arneberg - Frk. Monsen *

Lars Andreas Larssen Lars Andreas Larssen (27 March 1935 – 29 January 2014) was a Norwegian stage, film and television actor.Anne-Lise Tangstad Anne-Lise Tangstad Clausen (February 6, 1935 – December 13, 1981) was a Norwegian actress. Biography Tangstad made her debut in 1954 in the musical '' South Pacific'' at the Central Theater, where she later worked from 1957 to 1958. After tha ...

- Agnes Helmer * Sverre Hansen - Statsadvokaten *

Harald Heide Steen Harald Heide Steen (11 January 1911 – 3 January 1980) was a Norwegian film actor. He appeared in more than 30 films between 1933 and 1977. He was the father of actor Harald Heide-Steen Jr. Partial filmography * ''Vi som går kjøkkenveie ...

- Forsvareren * Axel Kielland - Dommeren *

Einar Sissener Einar Sissener (21 September 1897 – 4 March 1968) was a Norwegian stage actor, film actor, stage producer, film producer and theatre director. Personal life Einar Rasmus Krag Schnitler Sissener was born in Kristiania as the son of dispen ...

- Politiebetsmann *

Egil Hjorth-Jenssen Egil Hjorth-Jenssen (18 April 1893 – 8 November 1969) was a Norwegian actor and theatre director, playwright, children's writer and translator. Personal life Hjorth-Jenssen was born in Fredrikshald as a son of editor Gunnar Olaves Jenssen ( ...

- Skrivemaskinreperatøren *

Helge Essmar Helge or Helgi is a Scandinavian, German, and Dutch mostly male name. The name is derived from Proto-Norse ''Hailaga'' with its original meaning being ''dedicated to the gods''. For its Slavic version, see Oleg. Its feminine equivalent is Olga. ...

- Legpredikanten * Hans Coucheron-Aamot - Steen, biskop * Carl Frederik Prytz - Prest * Øyvind Øyen

References

External links

* 1959 films 1959 drama films 1950s Norwegian-language films Norwegian black-and-white films Films directed by Arne Skouen Norwegian films based on plays Norwegian drama films {{1950s-drama-film-stub