The castle

- This item is used Description Olaf Ussing is the old chamberlain who lives at the castle with his three unmarried daughters Malene Schwartz, Lone Hertz and Mimi Heinrich. In the neighboring estate lives Poul Reichhardt as a well-off bachelor with his butler playfully acted by Ole Monty. A couple of dubious suitors for the lovely young ladies are Preben Neergaard and Preben Mahrt, and a former admirer is Henning Palner. The beautiful estate “Falkenborg” is on the edge of collapse. Chamberlain Falke (Olaf Ussing) is gripped by gambling fever. It is the cause of the catastrophic situation Falkenborg finds itself in. Bente Falke (Malene Schwartz) returns from her studies in England. That same evening, Chamberlain Falke is to attend a gentlemen’s evening at Henrik Stenfelt, (Poul Reichhardt) who is the neighbor to Falkenborg. Bente’s younger sister, Marianne Falke, (Lone Hertz) tells her sister that things are not going well at Falkenborg. They are short of money. Bente cannot understand: Why did the father let her study in England? Why did he not send word for her? What the girls do not know is that Falke has asked Stenfelt to arrange a game of poker with some moneyed businessmen from Copenhagen. Falke has, through the lawyer Jessen (Karl Stegger), on the same day borrowed 80,000 kr. With that as stake, he hopes to win a fortune so he can get out of his debt. At the same time Falke asks lawyer Jessen to arrange it so that Falkeskoven is transferred to Stenfeldt. It cannot be done without the bank’s sanction, since everything at Falkenborg is mortgaged. Fortune, unfortunately, does not favor Falke. In addition to the 80,000 kr., he also loses a debt instrument of 30,000 kr. He is strongly shocked and collapses, and shortly after dies of a heart attack. Stenfelt promises to pay Falke’s debt. A harsh confrontation awaits Bente. As the eldest, she has decided to take on the responsibility for her father’s sins. Through lawyer Jessen, she learns how bad Falkenborg’s finances are. Together with Marianne, she will try to save the old family manor. Stedstepister Regitze (Mimi Heinrich) is offended when she learns there is no money. However, she hopes that Bente can save the castle. Bente refuses to see or speak to Stenfeldt. She believes he is to blame for her father’s death. At the funeral, Bente asks Stenfeldt to leave the church. Marianne, who has a good relationship with Stenfeldt, tells Bente that she misjudges him. Stenfeldt tells Jessen that Falke lost 80,000 kr on the day he died, and that Falke owes him 70,000 kr. Stenfeldt has further given Falke 200,000 kr for the deed to Falkeskoven. But he never managed to get papers for it. Bente arranges an agreement with Stenfeldt regarding Falkeskoven and the owed amount. She begins a major rationalization, in which Regitze’s fiancé Conrad Jørling (Preben Neergaard) also participates. Because of his behavior toward the staff, his presence is no longer desired. He vanishes. Jessen admires Bente for her ardor and is impressed by her direct way of handling things. Meanwhile, Marianne has a "date" with Stenfeldt in Falkeskoven, and her faith in him is strengthened. He is a remarkable man. Despite the heavy strain, it is impossible to keep to the deadlines, so Bente, in desperation, resorts to a last resort: she invites cousin Hans (Preben Mahrt). He possesses the money she needs. He will help on the condition that they marry. An engagement party is planned, but it is not happiness. Hans is a scoundrel who only thinks of himself. The only one who is attracted to him is Regitze. She makes a strong move on him. The result does come. The engagement is broken and Hans and Regitze leave Falkenborg. Bente seeks out Stenfeldt in his home. She is impressed by his large collection of ancient artifacts. She suggests that they play a board game. If she wins, he will give her the money she needs. If she loses, he has won her. Bente loses and Stenfeldt suggests that their marriage will not be consummated until she feels that she loves him. Now things move quickly. Everything is organized. Autumn comes to the house, and they want to celebrate it with a feast. Everyone enjoys themselves. Bente looks thoughtfully at her husband and feels a warm emotion rise within her. Only now does she realize that she loves Henrik Stenfeldt. www.danskefilm.dk Production year 1964 Running time in minutes 82