BASED ON REAL EVENTS AND UNREAL ONES
Mogens? Are you there?
Yes, I'm here.
Simon's dying. If you want to see him, this is it. Do you Understand?
- I'll be there. - Are you sure?
Yes, of course. I'll call you when I'm out. See you.
- Mogens, you're on laundry duty. - Pardon?
The others have left. It's in barrack 11.
- Yes. Well then, goodbye, then. - Bye-bye.
- Hello, Mogens. What's going on? - I've urgent business in Copenhagen.
The bus leaves in 2 minutes and 43 seconds.
- Stop. You know you can't. - I am a Member of Parliament.
- I'll have to mark you as absent. - Mogens says he's leaving.
I don't have time!
There was a general election two days ago.
I got 8,096 personal votes. I can go wherever I want.
- We have to get this sorted out. - I don't have time!
You haven't been given permission.
The Constitution, Section 34: "Parliament is inviolable."
"Anyone who threatens its safety or freedom ..." The bus!
- That's enough. - I have to get out!
- I must see Simon! - Stop it!
I must see Simon. No!
Welcome to my old frat house, girls. Remember to behave tonight.
Oh, right, we're at a party. Gentlemen first.
- Mogens, is that you? - Hello, Simon.
Hello, hello. Is Lene with you?
- No, she's minding the children. - Ah.
- But the party's upstairs, isn't it? - Yes, I think so.
Hi, Mogens.
At least he was 15 years ago. Am I right, Mogens?
- Let's bring down the house. - No, I don't really feel like it.
Sit down.
- Are they teasing you? - No, no, no, they aren't.
No.
- I believe I owe you a rematch. - Then your memory fails you.
- 15th of June 1950. 21-5, 21-11. - That was 15 years ago.
- Do you want a handicap? - When I've won, we join the party.
- And If I win? - I don't consider that an option.
Girls, you be ball girls, so bring me a bat and a ball.
You're ball girls, and then you must fetch bat and ball for me.
Why, thank you.
- Do we dance or do we play? - Now, now. You get to serve.
Hello? Girls, you should join me.
Bring the music back! Music!
Good evening, good evening.
As it's been 15 years since we roomed together, drinks are on me.
For the first ten customers, there's a free bus tour to the Costa del Sol.
Two weeks with a sea view, your legs up and a bit of sun on your tushy.
- Shut up, Simon. - We wish the winners a good trip.
Ah well.
We'll now continue with a slow tune.
I'm afraid I promised everyone a free bar tonight.
Let's party.
Let me guess, you're bothered by Robert's presence?
So, the Elsinore proletariat came after all.
Won't you try your luck with the bus trip to the Costa del Sol?
- We don't party with riff raff. - Well, many do.
Yes, so I gather.
- What was your name again? - Robert Koch-Nielsen.
- And this is my wife, Birgit. - Well hello, Birgit.
And what did you make of yourself, Robert 'Cock'-Nielsen?
I'm a barrister specialising in tax laws which Mogens knows very well.
Mogens just lost a big case before Judge Bergsøe. Isn't that correct?
- Yes, it's not exactly a secret. - What was it about again?
Tax deductions? But you've always been so fond of them.
The taxation system is simple.
Show me who you're taxing, and I'll tell you who you are.
I'll give you an example, like Miss Cynthia here.
She's self-employed in the service sector and has a good income.
And yet, there are no taxes on the libido. And why not?
Because love should not be bought.
Or maybe it's because you'd have to be appraised on the same terms.
And I wouldn't go much higher than a dirty penny. What do you think?
I'm not very good at appraising goods, but it sounds reasonable.
This is silly.
How dare you?
Well, if our company isn't appreciated, let's move on.
- Aren't we going to sing now? - Sing?
- That's cruel. I'm feeling peckish. - I'm always hungry.
Damn tasty.
So ... here we are. Two old geezers -
- with money in our pockets and sharp minds.
But who the hell have we become?
Keep the change. Did you find a way to blow this shit to kingdom come?
- Yes. But they won't let me. - Judge Bergsøe?
Bergsøe, my father-in-law and the rest of them.
Yes, I know Bergsøe. Such a boy scout.
From Flying Enterprise. I had an agreement with CEO Sven.
He got pussy and Mouton Rothschild, and I got cheap flight seats.
- Who becomes his father-in-law? - Bergsøe.
Exactly. No pussy for Sven. No profits for me.
Now I have this meeting about some detail in the contract.
- You could take down Bergsøe. - Yes.
- You'd get a generous fee. - Sure. No, don't.
- Bergsøe. - Yes, the assholes are so stupid.
I only want to work with people with guts.
That's me.
Then let's get to it.
Section 16, subsection C ...
- There. Do you need anything else? - No, thank you.
- See you tomorrow at eight. - Of course, Mr. Spies.
Section 16. Ah!
Stop saying section 16, subsection C all the time -
- or I'll damn well throw this drink in your face.
- What's the value of your estate? - Including my Volvos?
A million or thereabouts. Why?
- You run a very well-oiled machine. - Well, I am the best.
But the contract you have with Flying Enterprise is terrible.
- Your only option is to buy them. - Buy them?
- Why would they sell? - Bergsøe missed a detail.
As a creditor you can withdraw and force them into bankruptcy.
They've concealed it in section 22, subsection 4.
It gives us the option to buy them.
It's my money. And what if they don't go bankrupt?
Then I'll end up with thousands of customers but no planes.
You're their biggest customer.
When did you become an expert in the travel industry?
It's pure logic.
They just bought new airplanes. They're pilots. Pilots want planes.
They want planes, planes, planes. They overspent.
And they overlooked section 22, subsection 4 and the bankruptcy laws.
Pipe dreams and pure conjecture, Mogens.
- You don't believe me? - No.
- Believe? I want to know, damn it. - Then find out.
Yes?
- Good morning, father-in-law. - Please have a seat.
Spies Rejser is now our client.
I'm assisting Simon Spies in a rather sizeable company takeover.
Simon Spies isn't fit company. He's a lout. A whoremonger.
- He's a thrifty businessman. - We don't want him.
But this is my big chance to make them eat dust.
- Them who? - Those in power, officials, Bergsøe.
What does Spies have to do with Bergsøe?
Bergsøe's son-in-law is the CEO of the company we're taking over.
You're confusing things. People like Bergsøe keep the wheels turning.
- But I have a plan ... - Stop!
Or what?
I don't want to sit here and threaten you. We just can't risk it.
We advise people openly and honestly. We're honest people.
Not fortune hunters.
Tell my daughter that her mother and I will come for dinner tomorrow.
Yes.
Hi, Dad!
Hi, Dad. Dad, would you like to see my drawing?
Dad!
Mokke? I didn't hear you come in.
Were you up all night?
- It must have been a fun party. - Yes, well ...
- Simon was there. - Oh? Is he still as amusing?
- You didn't sing too loudly? - I didn't sing at all.
Is something wrong?
I have a plan. With Simon.
- But they won't let me. - Is it Dad?
- Yes. - He just needs a little time.
There is no time! If it's to be done, it must be now!
- Doesn't he understand that? - He says I confuse things.
Mokke, look at me. You never confuse things.
- No, I don't! - No.
Don't you think I should have a word with him?
- I'll talk to him and Mom. - Thank you, Lene.
So, my little butterfly.
Do you have any secrets from the aviation director's bed chambers?
No. But I do have some from the bookkeeper's.
Well, well ...
After five dry martinis, a bottle of champagne -
- and a 10-minute praise of his wife, he finally unzipped his pants.
No ... please keep your shoes on.
And ...
Flying Enterprise no longer has a line of credit at the Private Bank.
Do you have the energy for one more round?
- Always when the Chairman beckons. - Chairman?
I like it! Come here, you saucy vixen!
Well? You look like you're at a funeral.
It's a completely moronic idea.
It's risky. I'll say that much.
- What if Glistrup is wrong? - Then we'll go bankrupt.
- And you won't be a party to that? - No, I won't. I can assure you.
We must negotiate a fair price with Flying Enterprise.
It's in their interest, too. I'm sure of it.
I lost my appetite.
Jørgen, you're dead now. Lie down!
Mogens.
I think that perhaps this was a bit too ...
- Jørgen! You're dead! You're dead! - Why is it always me who dies?
That's what it's like to be an Indian.
- Here you go, Simon. - Thank you, Lene.
- It's great to see you two together. - It's wonderful to see you, too.
She's so sweet.
I've gone over the numbers. 1.3 is fair for Flying Enterprise.
My directors say no.
If you want to be King, you must be prepared to go to war.
- What do your clever directors say? - Try to negotiate a better price.
They've given up, and so have you. Welcome to mediocrity.
- Are you sure about the bankruptcy? - Yes.
All travellers from Flying Enterprise should go to the exit.
- Sven Brahmsen, CEO. - Mogens Glistrup, Spies Travel.
That's Mogens. He's my attorney.
- Where is Bergsøe? - Who cares? Let's start.
- Bergsøe is probably on his way. - A drink, Sven?
- No, thank you. - Mona?
- Do you have any bubbly? - Get some.
Thank you. Good morning.
- Per Bergsøe. - Simon Spies.
- We already know each other. - Yes, I remember you vividly.
So ...
We are gathered here to look at the price of your flight seats again.
- According to the contract ... - That is not the topic at hand.
- It isn't? - We wish to terminate the contract.
- Excuse me, what did you say? - There's a 12-month notice period.
Under section 22 it can be terminated upon breach of contract.
We don't believe Flying Enterprise is able to fulfil its obligations.
You don't have the money to keep the planes airborne.
You lost three large customers and your credit with the Private Bank.
We do not have confidence in doing business with you.
Last call for the flight to Palma de Mallorca.
Flying Enterprise has terminated contracts with some former clients -
- so that we could focus our attention on new, larger customers.
Why would Flying Enterprise have a credit line in the Private Bank -
- when we do our business with the Trade Bank?
Is this a joke, Simon? Do we talk prices on seats, -
- or will your travellers skip all the way to Mallorca?
- We wish to ... - No ...
If you would excuse us for a minute. Mogens.
- What's going on? - They're not wearing any clothes.
If they are, we're toast. Mogens, negotiate a price ...
- Mogens. - No.
That sounds all well and good, but it's nonsense.
Facts are facts. We will file a petition for bankruptcy.
A copy for your files and one for the Share Register at 2 pm today.
That's in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 13 seconds.
- 12, 11 ... - Have you lost your mind?
I also have another document.
- What is this? 1.3 million? - 1.3 isn't exactly loose change.
- You want to buy us, Simon? - Time is running.
You speak with such confidence. What books are you basing that on?
This year's audited books.
So you didn't receive our notice to the Stock Exchange -
- stating that Flying Enterprise will be split up into different companies.
Where loss-making sectors do not affect the parent company.
That's section 16. That was my idea.
Losses on shares are deductible when you have a private limited company.
But perhaps that's too complicated law material for you, Glistrup?
The next time you want to buy a company, you should do your homework.
You should raise the price 25% and give Spies Travel three days -
- to accept the offer or terminate the contract. It's just a suggestion.
- There's no reason for ... - Great idea. Let's say two days.
- Is there any more champagne? - I doubt it.
Damn it, Simon.
I warned you.
We're finished.
- You have to eat humble pie. - Never!
- Come on. Pay them the price. - They're assholes.
Then we're forced to sell.
- I know SAS is interested. - What? Have you talked to them?
You played ball with the big boys and lost.
Game over.
We sell.
That's that. Spies Travel is history.
Did Eva show you her drawing? Did you show Dad, sweetie?
- Not yet. - Go get it.
She showed it at school today and got praise. She's very proud of it.
Look, Dad! Can you tell what it is?
It's The Emperor's New Clothes but I changed the boy to a girl.
- Are you even listening? - No.
- Why not? - Because it's insignificant.
- Eva ... - Why are you so harsh?
What's up with you? She was so excited to show it to you.
- She doesn't stand a chance anyway. - What's that supposed to mean?
There are two rules. The rich get tax deductions and evade the tax law.
If you don't want to listen to Dad, you're excused, kids.
- What does that have to do with Eva? - Everything.
The emperor decides and no one tells him he's not wearing any clothes.
It's one big fairy-tale lie. The ruling class make the laws.
Don't go on in that voice. As if you are this martyr everyone's against.
You act like a persecuted Jesus. You're not Jesus, Mogens.
And you don't get to destroy our family.
- It was a fine drawing. - Then go tell her.
- It was a very fine drawing. - It's okay.
- It wasn't that good. - Sure it was! It was very good!
- What are you doing? - Playing.
- May I join you? - Do you have time?
- Yes, yes, yes. Of course I do. - Okay, then.
Pantsy can't do that. It's prohibited under corporate law.
Flying Enterprise controls all the shares here.
- Even Toots'? - Yes.
And Flying Enterprise borrows all its money from ...
Little Mouse!
Little Mouse is Flight Service Ltd. and must lend Pantsy money.
But Pantsy can't play with Toots.
That's corporate law, and Bergsøe isn't that stupid.
- Who's Bergsøe? - The Emperor.
- Pantsy would rather be over here. - How does Dolly Doll fit in?
Dolly Doll?
Yes, yes, yes ...
Simon, there isn't much to think through. Just sign it.
Don't sell! Don't sell!
Don't sell!
- We don't have time for this. - Look.
Bergsøe copied me. In section 16. subsection C. "Loss on shares".
That's why they're still in business.
Companies within companies, some are real, some are fictitious.
Money flows between them. It's The Emperor's New Clothes.
- It's brilliant. Almost. But look. - Look at what?
- Look! They forgot Dolly Doll! - Dolly Doll? What?
Well, his name is Harly Johansen.
He's their petrol supplier. He has an unbreakable contract for 3 years.
Simon, come on now. There's no way around it.
I don't know. Perhaps it's about time we ...
Simon, Simon. He's from Elsinore just like you.
Shall they win, or shall they die?
Simon ...
We say thank you, but no thank you.
- A bad decision. - Well, it feels pretty good.
What the hell is this?
Where are the fancy gentlemen we plan to screw over?
They're out to lunch.
Aha, you've seen reason?
- Do you accept our new prices? - Not exactly.
But ...
- 1.3 million. Give it a rest. - You'll show yourselves out, right?
We're in the middle of lunch and prefer not to be disturbed.
And Sven has an airline to run.
Speaking of an airline ... You have a problem with the petrol supply.
Harly Johansen will no longer deliver a single drop of petrol.
How long will your credit line last with all your planes on the ground?
- A week, perhaps? - Nonsense.
We still wish to buy you.
But my offer won't stand forever. It falls by 50,000 per minute.
- Will you time it? - 3 seconds have elapsed.
- You just lost 2,500. - Thorkild.
Thorkild, come here.
- Isn't Harly at work today? - No.
Something about section 16, subsection C.
The Assessment Council has to confirm that what you're doing is legal.
He may be back tomorrow to talk to you.
Tomorrow? Has he lost his mind?
- How long will the Council take? - It could take months!
No, thank you.
Ah, yes.
Well?
Assuming Sven is interested in selling -
- how will Spies Travel be able to come up with that kind of money?
Will a cheque do?
To freedom! To freedom To freedom will we drink!
Gone are ropes that tie us down no more prejudice or frown
we'll fight till the very brink
Plane trips are no longer reserved to the privileged.
Here, too, we see signs of rapid development.
People from all walks of life are today enjoying air travel.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Our travel company now has its own airplanes and we move onwards.
But before we do, I'd like to know that we're all in this together.
- Of course! - Yes.
We've wined and dined for several hours and I just got the check.
And I'd like to play a little game. It's the good old Eeny Meeny game.
Whomever I point to last picks up the check. Yes, it's a good one.
Ready?
- Well? Are you ready, or what? - Yes.
Eeny meeny miney moe ... Ragner, you will pay.
- Me? - Yes. Do you want it?
- Put it on the expense account. - But then I end up paying!
- Or the company. - Simon, it's almost 5,000.
Now, now, don't look over my shoulder.
Are you in, or are you out?
Fine.
- Excellent. - Will you take a cheque?
Don't forget to add a little tip.
Magnificent. What a grand gesture. To pay for your own farewell reception.
You laugh. Why do you laugh when you're fired?
Don't look so confused. You're fired, Ragner.
The atmosphere is a little tense. Let's give Ragner a farewell salute.
Holger?
So, Holger.
Little Holger, I have a riddle for you, are you ready?
- What is one plus one? - What do you mean, Simon?
- Come on, what's one plus one? - It's two!
Yes! You know everything.
Don't you think you should be our new chief of finance?
- Are you saying no? - No.
- Is the man saying yes or no? - Yes! Damn it, yes!
Finally, a festive atmosphere! Let's drink to Holger. Congratulations!
- Cheers, Simon. - Cheers.
Out!
That's the problem in a nutshell. We're short on customers.
- Oh, crap. - Shall I stop?
No, no. Go lie down.
- What are we selling? - Cheap flights to Mallorca.
Come on. We're selling party dreams.
The whole package, all inclusive.
Split-roasted pig, tanned tushies and potential pussy action.
If we sell private limited companies to all Spies customers -
- the tax department won't have a leg to stand on.
But how do we fill our planes? Not enough people know Spies Travel.
Bartender? There you are, hiding out in the bar.
Please tell all the noble gentlemen that the place is closed.
Those two have already hooked up with the two girls, -
- so they can take them home and I'll pay, if that's okay.
- I'll take the rest. How many? - 10.
10? Then I'll have to check out the goods first.
Yes. Nice.
And you? Can I feel your tushy?
I'll take them. But do me a favour.
Please call the tabloids and tell them to come immediately.
And tell them you think Simon Spies is going off the rails!
- What's going on? - We'll shake things up a bit.
We'll be on the front pages and some prudes will choke on their coffee -
- but when people see me living the naughty life, what do they do?
Buy a trip with Spies Travel.
- Spies, be naughty and ... - Spies, travel and be merry.
Yes! That's what I said! Spies, travel and be merry.
Mokke ... So, girls!
We'll have a little competition. Follow me.
To the stage, come on. Gather round.
I'll grade you on a scale from 1 to 10.
The winner will be my girlfriend for a month, all expenses paid!
Eenie, meenie, miney, moe you can go.
I'll start with you.
Holger? Ah, there you are.
And the press is here, too.
- I'll start over here with number 1. - Number 1, yes.
Hello, hello.
May I go down for a minute?
- My oh my. I think she's a 7. - 7, yes.
Hello, hello. Oh, I like this. This is good.
- Holger? Give this one a 9. - Yes.
Holger, I did them all, right? Then it's time to crown the winner.
- You mentioned 3, 6 and 9. - 3, 6 and 9.
I don't know ...
- What's your name? - Lillian.
- You know what? Do you bake? - What do you mean?
You're a good roll, but can you bake them?
I can learn.
Ladies and gentlemen. Lillian is my new morning roll. Hooray for Lillian!
Do you always pick your girlfriends this way, Simon?
Only when the press is here. Wave to the front page.
The Chairman is having fun!
SIMON SPIES LIVES IT UP
SPIES LURES DANES TO SOUTHERN EUROPE
Mallorca is first and foremost vacation time.
You don't find beach life like this anywhere else in Europe.
SPIES PROMISES SUNSHINE, PARTYING AND GOOD TIMES
Even the most humdrum everyday life is exciting in a foreign country.
EVERYONE TRAVELS WITH SPIES
This is how you should spend your vacation.
HERE IS SPIES' NEW DOMAIN
Good morning, Mr. Spies.
- Good morning, Mr. Spies. - Good morning, Mr. Spies.
Good morning, Mr. Spies.
- No ... - You owe me a rematch.
If you want to play, just say so.
Ready?
- I won the serve! - Damn ...
- I don't want to play. - What's up with you?
I'm bored.
I don't even want to shag her anymore.
It's all become so mundane.
We're rolling in money, but what does a man need? What do I need?
- And don't say company shares. - Can I say zero in tax rate?
- No. Hell no. - For Christ's sake, Simon. What?
Something.
I need something!
I think I just had an idea.
Go on then. Are you waiting to get paid?
Laughing gas. It's possible to find the balance between gas and oxygen -
- so that you can disconnect consciousness and sense death ...
... without dying.
Die without dying.
Sounds good. Let's try it. Make a note of it.
Mogens! Glad you could make it. Mogens Glistrup, my attorney.
No worries, he won't tell anyone.
Mogens, meet my new playfellows.
They will help me become a great human being, and to ...
What did you call it, Jurij?
To see the faces of your parents before you were born.
Yes. I look forward to that. This is Jan. He's a doctor.
And Jurij is a ... What the hell are you, Jurij?
Philosopher, pianist, mathematician, author.
Choose one, if you feel it necessary to choose.
No, Mogens, I wouldn't eat those cookies, if I were you.
But all the stuff we want to try has been banned by stupid politicians -
- so I thought of you. What do we do?
I suggest you gather your activities under a charitable organization.
You could call yourself: The Psychedelic Society.
A sound trust deed will stave off the police and exempt you from all taxes.
- What about the ladies? - Research.
That's damn fine. He's the smartest guy, I know!
Apart from myself, of course.
Well ...
I need to take a shit.
And after that I'll declare The Psychedelic Society open.
Let the journey into the inscrutable corners of the soul commence.
- Shit. - Simon ...
I don't know where I get it! It just comes out of the blue.
Which one of you girls gets to wipe my ass?
- Gitta? Gitta? Hello? - Yes, Mr. Spies.
Oh, you snuck up on me.
Is it possible to call everyone so that I can make an announcement?
Yes, you do like this. Press 67 and the asterisk.
- 67, asterisk. - Yes.
And press down, right? This is the Chairman with a little announcement.
Please, go out in the hallway so I can speak to you. Thanks.
Hello, hello, everyone. Hello, Mokke.
You know I don't care for long speeches, so I'll make this brief.
I've decided to take a three-year sabbatical, starting now.
I just want to travel and look inside myself to see -
- what little secrets and stuff are hiding there.
Furthermore there's too much talking going on on our planet -
- so I've decided not to talk for a minimum of ... one year.
How do we get a hold of you?
Start with a letter. We'll let all correspondence go through Holger.
But what if you're in Timbuktu?
Mr. Spies.
It says: "Ask Mogens".
What are you doing?
Mogens, I don't mind talking to you. But the others can't know.
Now that you ask, I'm doing my job.
Experimental psychology.
They say a cock is a cock, but that's wrong.
A cock is also a symbol. Like this fur.
- It's a fine fur. - Well, it was insanely expensive.
But I've realised, together with this writer, that life is simple.
Some have the symbolic money, and some put it out. We're not equal.
In today's society the strong can't be strong, -
- and the weak can't be weak. That's the real problem.
The natural hierarchy has completely collapsed in this country.
Come.
Simon, not too close.
Simon, what are you doing?
Simon, it'll kill you!
Oh, cashew nuts.
It's too dangerous. Simon, come on out now.
Legendary!
Simon Spies, ladies and gentlemen! Simon Spies!
That's how it's done.
They must know who's in charge, but they shouldn't be humiliated.
That's how you run Spies Travel.
- Yes. With a ... and cashews. - Yes.
Great, because I'm off to Spain. We have a tough program ahead.
The first week it's mescaline, then coke and mescaline. In the third ...
Never mind, Jan's got a handle on it.
- Congratulations, Mogens. - Thank you, Simon. Thank you.
Away away to work we all will go a hero's quest
away away to work we all will go a hero's quest
we bow down from top to toe from east to west
away away to work we all will go a hero's quest
away away to work
- Mom! Come play! - No, Dad has news!
No more playing. Time for ice cream!
Where are you, Dolly Doll?
Ha! Gotcha!
I've earned this.
Hello.
We're changing the company structure.
It will look like this. We've established a main company ...
- It's easier to see it here. - Why would we do this?
Because then we won't have to pay taxes at all.
- But everybody pays taxes. - When this is approved, we don't
We have to create small companies so we can control our own tax rate.
This is an elevator that goes farther down.
No Dolly Doll. It's perfect. A self-perpetuating machine.
We expand this company, Neverland Parking Ltd., -
- with this capital, borrowed from Conair.
- We can't do that. - Yes, we can.
- I have Simon's proxy. - Not to change the entire company.
It must be submitted to the Registry within 3 days.
- It's lacking a signature. - Simon has to sign it.
- You'll never get him to sign that. - Wait and see.
Listen ... I have to get in there.
But ... what now? This is absurd!
Do what we do, write a message.
- Did he get my message? - Yes.
Well, what did he say?
BEER COCK
Beer cock? Is that all he has to say?
What the hell does beer cock mean?
It's a huge step for him. His problem is control.
He can fuck for hours, but he can't finish.
He's a prisoner of his own self-control.
He's a miser with his seed and his money.
- What? - He must learn to let go.
- And that's 'beer cock'? - No.
- That's a declaration of love. - For whom?
This is ridiculous.
No! Enough mumbo-jumbo. Simon?
- What do you think you're doing? - Can you hear me?
- I know what I'm doing. - You know nothing.
Come on, Simon. Come.
It's entirely harmless. We have it under control. Leave him alone!
Look! He's walking just fine. See? He's doing great.
- Simon is going home now! - No!
You need to go to the hospital now. Jan is calling an ambulance.
You must sign this contract first. It's very important for Spies Travel.
Yes ...
- Do you have a pen? - Here.
- There? - Yes.
Mogens ... you are so good to me.
You must relax now and rest.
You'll come home and stay with us until you're back on your feet.
- May I have some cucumber salad? - Would you get it, Anne-Marie?
- There. - Thank you.
- They keep dad's grave looking nice. - Yes, very.
And with the lovely flowers you found, Eva.
- What's wrong, Simon? - It's so sad.
You're such a sweet family.
My oh my. I've turned into a right cry-baby lately.
It's just because I'll never have a family because of my mumps and all.
No one will visit my grave unless they get paid.
- It's just the doorbell. - I'm not here!
It was just the mail. It's from the tax department.
Thanks for dinner.
- Good news? - I'll say.
Simon!
Simon?
Simon!
- Did they leave? - It wasn't the press.
- Where do I sign? - You don't. Read it.
- Yes, yes. I'm rich and unhappy. - No! It says ...
Read there and there.
The construction was approved. It's section 15, subsection C.
Spies Travel pays no taxes. And it's entirely legal.
Well done. That's fine.
This is the Danish Revolution! The Declaration of Independence!
We beat them, Simon. We can start conquering all of Denmark now.
- Are you happy? You and Lene? - Yes, yes, yes. Of course, we are.
I want a woman, too. And love and a family.
But look what we've done! We can sell trips and private companies.
What if I died? Well?
What would be left?
- A fortune for the state. - No one would miss or remember me.
Don't just sit there. Help me.
- Help you? - You're my adviser, aren't you?
Is that what I am?
Well, yes.
Marry a young woman.
She inherits the company, and the idiots won't get a cent.
A beautiful young woman as my wife.
See! You did it, Mogens. That's a great idea.
After that we sell private limited companies alongside the flights!
- Freedom to the people! - Yeah, yeah ...
- Damn ... - Gentlemen, we've reached number 11.
Her file looks perfect.
No STDs. No psychiatric history.
- Nice vaginal range. - Send her in!
Send her in. Send her in. Send her in.
Dorte Hansen is expected in the Chairman's office!
Mr. Spies. Dorte Hansen.
- Hello, Mr. Spies. - Hello, hello.
You found a very well-proportioned young girl, Jan.
- May one see the goods? - Yes.
It opens in the neck.
A polite young girl. Make a note of it.
Oh, my ...
Can you spell transcendental philosophy?
T-R ...
... A-N-S ...
- No, I can't. - Come on now. Trans ... what?
- Transvi... - Transvestite!
- Titmouse! Can you spell titmouse? - No.
Tit, tit, tit.
And I have a way with young ladies.
Right, Doris?
- You laugh when I ... - Argh!
- What's wrong? - Simon's trying to be funny.
He's only interested in girls, and in that fool Jurij.
Could there be more to life -
- than flying pale Danes on holiday?
- He could talk to people. - You sometimes sound so aggressive.
- Something will have to happen. - Then make it happen.
- But no one knows who I am. - Then make them.
- How? - Like Simon. Go on TV.
And do what? Giggle and take off my clothes? Is that what it'll take?
I think my Mokke can think of something better to do.
... our, at times, petty pond.
What is it that Spies Travel is so good at?
That would have to be knowing what the people -
- and by people I mean the Danes -
- knowing what the Danes want before they know it themselves.
Dessert is served.
Inger?
There are currently 19- 20,000 private companies in Denmark.
Attorney Mogens Glistrup deals in empty private limited companies.
What the hell? Mogens?
- Can anyone form a company? - Yes.
What are you up to there?
It's most practical that the production is in one place.
Just like we don't make our own pants or tables.
It's an advantage that the production of each commodity -
- is gathered in specific places and in specific production companies.
Can everyone decide their own tax rate?
Yes, if they wish to arrange their life accordingly.
So if anyone feels he pays too much tax, he contacts you?
With a toothache, you see a dentist. With a tax ache, a tax adviser.
Isn't that immoral? Shouldn't we all happily pay our taxes?
Not in my opinion, but opinions differ.
Some are Buddhist, other Christian, but to me, paying taxes is immoral.
How much do you yourself contribute?
I try to pay the tax I find desirable, -
- but I don't have the numbers here.
But there's good cause to compliment those, who pay the least in taxes -
- and condemn those, who pay the most.
Being a tax evader is perilous, -
- as you risk being hit by a judicial mallet.
Tax evaders can be compared to railway saboteurs during WW2.
They do a dangerous job, but they do a patriotic job.
What do the responsible politicians think?
- Who was that? - A friend of mine.
- It's nice to have friends. - Yes, it is.
My little sleepyhead.
- Do you know why I like you? - No.
It's your beard.
- It's so soft. - Tell me something I don't know.
- I can't think of anything. - Don't be fresh.
Okay, maybe one thing.
But you must promise not to laugh. Okay?
Cross my heart.
Okay ...
I can make pickles.
- Lene. - Yes?
I'm out of coffee.
- What's going on? - They all write about you.
No one can say they don't know who Mogens Glistrup is.
So I felt we should make a scrap book for the children when they get older.
I'm not interested in a legacy.
- I'll handle it. - Okay.
Yes, well ...
- Why are you standing there? - I'm out of coffee.
- Oh? - Could you ...
Lower it a bit. Not all the way down!
- Well, you could say stop. - There!
- I'll stay here. - Then you hold it.
- Thank you. - I'm so proud of you, Mokke.
- Are you? - Yes. Very much so.
- Scoot. - Yes.
Can I expect a nice lunch soon?
- Perhaps. - A straight answer, please.
Will I get lunch or won't I?
- Probably, one day. - Ha!
- Ha-ha! - Ha-ha-ha!
What a fancy visit. Oh, my. What's with the long face?
- Glistrup. - Ah, well. He took a swing.
- He said paying taxes is immoral. - I suppose it is.
The Treasurer complained to the Danish Broadcasting Cooperation.
- We won't survice a tax case. - There is no tax case, Holger.
Everything's in order.
- Says who? - Mogens.
And besides Mogens?
Relax. People probably find it amusing.
Hardly!
"Which greatly benefits the travel industry." Write Spies Travel.
Yes?
- A gentleman left a message for you. - Who was it?
- Judge Bergsøe. - Thank you.
He'll return at 3 pm.
Let me have a couple of minutes in private.
Of course, Mr. Spies.
Hello. Am I speaking to Robert Koch-Nielsen?
Hello, hello. This is Simon Spies. Do you remember me?
Judge Bergsøe is here.
- We've met before, I believe. - Yes, that's correct.
But I'm here as appointed examiner for the Justice Department.
And because of Glistrup's corporate constructions and tax payments.
- Or rather lack thereof. - Right ... I don't understand.
The case we're investigating on Glistrup's finances is your problem.
You could even say that Glistrup's case is your case.
I am a travel agency owner. I own a travel agency.
Yes, and many other companies.
Such as Neverland Parking Ltd., currently in liquidation.
I'm a busy man. The meter is running -
- and you're talking about parking spaces and other nonsense.
They've all vouched for Mogens. The Assessment Council and the Treasury.
Even my highly paid attorney here.
You're stuck in Glistrup's web.
What if Mr. Spies -
- knew nothing of the contents of Glistrup's arrangements?
So, Glistrup deceived Mr. Spies?
What if more of Glistrup's clients were dissatisfied, -
- and we named names?
If Mr. Spies assists in the investigation, -
- it would change things.
Right. Thank you.
Thank you for the briefing.
- What now? - Now you make a decision.
Do you go down with Glistrup, or save your company?
- Is it that simple? - I think so.
But, Mogens is right. Doesn't that count for something?
That's the wrong question. The state can't afford to let him win.
The real question is: Can you stop him before he self-destructs?
- Here. Bring me the wheel barrow. - Spies to see the barrister.
- Hello. Did you see me on TV? - Yes.
- Everyone says you're an idiot. - Not everyone.
Sure. So what does that mean?
The bigwigs are caught in their own web. They had a Cabinet meeting.
Do you know what the sole topic was? Me.
They're afraid we'll blow it all up. And we will.
A wheel barrow to pick up the debris?
It's for old Jensen. It's a gift. So he won't get arthritis -
- delivering all the company applications to the Registry.
Mogens, I was thinking ...
Yes, very nice. We should go for a drive and enjoy life. Together.
- Sure. It it makes you happy. - Let's go.
This is the life. What are we worrying about anyway, huh?
That every petty official and die-hard Marxists get to tell us -
- what to feel, think and eat.
- What do you want? - What do you mean?
Isn't it obvious? The tax laws must be abolished.
- And when that's done? - Then the Social Democrats.
- And then? - The pedagogues and petty officials.
- And then what? - The state.
And when the state is gone, and all that's left is you.
- Then what? - Then I should be wiped out.
- So, it never ends? - No.
No! No!
- But, Simon ... - Live a little, Mogens!
- Where are we going? - To the seaside!
- Watch this, Mogens. - Hold on to the wheel, Simon!
Don't ever do that again.
No! Hold on to the wheel, Simon! Hold on to the wheel, Simon!
- This is wonderful, Mogens! - Fantastic!
I doubt we'll ever get this car back on the road.
We find a mechanic and write it off as an alternative harvest technique.
You're alright, Mogens.
Mogens, look at me.
Forget about the state and the damn bureaucrats.
It's just you and me doing whatever we want, right?
Can't you say it was all a joke? A provocation.
God knows I've done that, too. We can now return to how it was.
We cherish the fields and meadows
with many a hill and crest
we cherish the shining sounds
with thousands of merry sails
All eyes are on attorney Glistrup and his many clients.
We'll talk to an expert about the consequences for his clients.
Stay away from my pickles! Eat your own sandwich.
Don't take mine! Seriously.
Yes, they're done.
Those without pants sit at the head of the table.
Let me taste your pickles.
Those are the best damn pickles, I've ever had.
- They taste of childhood. - Aw.
As a little girl I made a sign for the door of my room.
Cigarettes Not Allowed.
Little Brother Not Allowed.
Grown-ups Not Allowed.
Then I drew a line through it.
And I drew a tiny red heart.
Love was the only thing that was allowed.
You're allowed, Simon.
Even though you're a grown-up.
After Glistrup's controversial comments -
- there's been great interest in his next move.
Hopefully we'll all know more tomorrow -
- when he addresses the Press Club and answers questions.
I'm out for the day.
- You have a guest, Sir. - Send him in.
- Bergsøe? - I have something for you.
A complaint to the Board of Councils. You certainly are desperate.
- "Client account ..." Nonsense. - You lost once. You will lose again.
But this time it's not just a deduction you can pay back.
You will go to prison, Glistrup.
Withdraw while you can!
I'm due at the Danish Broadcasting Cooperation in 33 minutes.
Glistrup's comments have caused great debate in Danish homes.
The Press Club has invited Glistrup to answer the many questions.
What is your tax rate?
Come on, Mogens. Say it was all a joke.
- Zero. It is zero. - Am I hearing you correctly?
You pay no taxes at all?
That's not fair, Mogens.
Robert Koch-Nielsen, please.
It's Simon.
Give Bergsøe whatever the hell he needs. But keep me out of it.
- What's up? - For the party at Glistrup's.
Cut it out! Beat it!
I don't understand. No one declined to come.
Jørgen. That's enough.
- Is it okay if I have a soft drink? - Fine.
- Why aren't they coming? - Let's just begin.
I expected to see Simon at least.
- He'll be here. - It's 7.50 pm.
- Let's begin. - No, let's give it a minute.
All this lovely food. Let's eat.
I told you!
Is the attorney Mogens Glistrup in?
We're expecting company, so he's in. What is this about?
What's going on?
We've obtained keys to your offices in Skindergade and Nygade.
They're being searched. You're being charged with aggravated tax evasion.
I'm calling the press.
- Hey! Hands off! - Glistrup, let go!
- What's happening, Mom? - Come sit on the couch with me.
Attorney Mogens Glistrup speaking. The police are invading my home.
Hello?
It's Lene Glistrup. She says it's important.
Tell her I'm not in.
He's not in.
- She says the police are there. - Tell her I'm not here, damn it!
You can't do that, Simon. He's your best friend.
There are bigger things at stake than you understand.
- Simon, you can't do this! - You don't know what grown-ups do!
- Hi, Simon. - The Chairman!
Simon, what do you think of the pretty girls?
Not bad.
May I feel inside?
Simon, may we have a photo of you touching her breasts?
Anything for the press.
We've launched an investigation of Mogens Glistrup's tax activities -
- on suspicion of aggravated tax evasion and fraud.
His clients believed that their funds were invested in actual transactions.
While in reality they were fictitious and a part of his tax circus.
I'm a criminal. Charged with aggravated tax evasion.
They're going all the way! They're stripping me of my clients.
What I represent must be destroyed!
Don't scare me like this! Stop it.
- Will you stand by me? - Of course!
If you're innocent, they have no case.
"If"? You doubt me?
You doubt me. You're one of them.
What will happen to his clients and Simon Spies?
They will pay off their debt to the state.
But they were defrauded by Glistrup and will not be prosecuted.
- Give it to them, Simon. - Yes.
There, Simon.
Is it nice?
Inger?
- I know you're awake. - Leave me alone.
I shagged a lot of lovely ladies tonight.
- What? - It gets worse.
There were photographers from the tabloids.
I can't believe I didn't see it till now.
See what?
- The man hiding behind that beard. - What do you know of my beard?
What the hell do you know of my beard?
Go to hell, you rich brat.
- Is it a bad time? - It's the decisive set.
- What do I tell the press? - Tell them the truth.
It's a politically motivated attempt at miscarriage of justice.
And Spies? What is our official stance on that?
- He also has a new attorney. - What?
Robert Koch-Nielsen is now his attorney. That's what I heard.
Nonsense!
Out! Out! Get out!
Out!
Where is he? Simon Spies. Where is he?
He's in a meeting with Holger.
Mr. Glistrup! That's not a good idea. No, Mr. Glistrup!
Do you have a new attorney? Is Robert Koch-Nielsen your new attorney?
Did he make you tell the papers about the joys of paying taxes?
Well, I did solicit his advice, yes.
You weren't around, and I have a shop to run, in case it slipped your mind.
All we've fought for. You'll sacrifice that -
- on the altar of mediocrity?
'The altar of mediocrity'? So you find me mediocre?
The great Glistrup finds little Simon Spies mediocre.
But that stops now, Mogens! You hear me? It stops now!
I thought after all I've done that you would stand by me! By our ideas!
- By us! - Us?
There is no 'us', Mogens.
Not anymore.
Where were we?
- You babbling, spineless bureaucrat. - Thank you.
It's ...
I just spoke to Robert. Do I brief him on all matters?
He's our new attorney, so of course you do.
- I'm just asking. Glistrup is out? - I don't want his name mentioned.
What?
- I didn't say anything. - Yes, you did.
I studied psychology. I'm not an idiot.
- What will happen to us, Mokke? - I have a plan.
What can you do? It all seems so hopeless.
I have one chance that no one has anticipated. I'll take it.
What chance is that?
They think they can desert me. Ambush me.
I'll show them. Will you help me?
Of course, I will.
Today, on August 22nd 1972 I will form a new party, The Progress Party.
- Is this a joke, Mr. Glistrup? - No! Spring has come to Denmark.
The Progress Party is three sentences: Income tax has run wild.
Red tape is flowing in torrents. The tyranny of paragraph is stifling.
- If you get elected, who will be PM? - I will.
- All this to avoid prosecution? - The case against me is political.
And I intend to stop it.
The Progress Party is launched to combat the spineless paper pushers.
All the mediocre people who ruin the fine Danish spirit.
What about the military?
The military will be cut to one man, who speaks Russian.
Then I'll reduce the annual budget to 80 kroner and 75 øre.
The money will go to an answering service.
- How so? - It'll say "We surrender".
- Do you think you'll be elected? - Of course.
You can join the party from today. We'll be ready for the election.
Bravo!
SIGNATURES POUR IN
THE PROGRESS PARTY APPROVED AS A POLITICAL PARTY
He's refreshing.
The PM called an election today to be held December 4, 1973
You have absolute confidence in his every word.
DANES EMBRACE GLISTRUP
I think he looks nice on TV.
But I don't believe we can get away with not paying taxes.
I am aware of the gravity of the situation.
We could, but ...
No. I understand. I'll make it happen.
Kjeld! Where are we on the Glistrup indictment?
We have an outline ...
- Good. Leak it to the press. - What? But we're not even sure ...
Aren't the Danes entitled to know if they're about to elect a criminal?
- Leak it. - We're not supposed to ...
Leak it!
Lene?
- Simon! - What are you doing here?
What the hell is going on? A sale on Fernet Branca?
Mogens is hosting an election meeting. He's guest bartender.
Mogens? He's never poured a beer in his life.
- Come say hi to him. - No. Best not to disturb him.
Come on.
Lene, all the stuff they write about him in the papers.
Tell him not to take it to heart.
Bad press is better than no press.
- It's just because they fear him. - Why won't you tell him yourself?
I'll go let him know you're here.
- We're talking about a new system. - Mokke, Simon's here.
Glistrup, this is it.
Today the polls are giving us 26%.
But Per Bergsøe still calls us fiction -
- and the papers call me a criminal.
No! The only criminals are those -
- who do the opposite of what is needed.
The Progress Party utopia is a country where you can live -
- with no contact with the public administration.
A country without people who learned Marxism at a seminar -
- pushing a specific ideology on us -
- a place where we can drink a beer if we want to -
- and do the things that make each of us happy.
- What about the Christiania hippies? - Give them 2 weeks' notice.
And if they're not gone by then we pull out the fire hoses -
- and hose away the people and trash left.
Out with income tax.
Away with the paper pushing, the law jungle and the hippies.
Vote for list Z! Vote for list Z!
- I don't see Simon anywhere. - Maybe he left. Go find him.
He popped in for a beer and then saw me here.
We're all awaiting the first of the election -
- so we can form an impression of Parliament's new composition.
The million-dollar question is: How have the new parties fared?
In particular The Progress Party.
How about giving an old man with change in his pocket a little room.
- Thank you so much. - Is this from you or the office?
- Aren't you having a cosy time. - Yes.
- What is the occasion? - It's my birthday.
- It's your birthday? - Margrethe is 15 today, Mr. Spies.
15 years. Oh my.
That must be celebrated.
Have you ever had champagne and marzipan cake?
- No. - Can she have a little champagne?
Yes. Considering the occasion.
Happy to hear it. Pedro, arrange champagne and cake in the office.
It's a disaster that a large group of the population falls for a man -
- who I find intelligent but a charlatan -
- with psychopathic traits.
Thank you, Pedro, Just put it over there.
- 15 years old. - Yes.
That's not very old.
Margrethe will start classes at the business school -
- while remaining a trainee in your company.
- You must be very busy. - How do you mean?
- With her living at home and all. - Yes.
Would a dishwasher help?
Just to ease the burden while little Merethe is running around with me.
And a dryer?
That would be lovely. Actually, we don't even have a washer.
- Mom ... - But we don't, sweetie.
So a dryer, a dishwasher and a washer.
- Did you get that, Pedro? - Yes, Mr. Spies.
- It will be delivered. - Thank you.
So, Merethe, are you coming?
- What do you mean? - We'll go have a nice time.
It's okay, sweetie.
Mogens Glistrup has arrived at the Parliament.
Sweetie ...
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
There, there. All this emotion is unbearable.
- You're a pig! - Pedro, please ...
- Certainly, Mr. Spies. - Don't worry, we're leaving.
Glistrup, what's on the tree?
28 marzipan bars representing our mandates.
Who will you point to as PM in the Queen Round?
At this point our advice to the Queen must be -
- to form a one-party government consisting of the Progress Party.
- And the Prime Minister will be? - The position will be abolished.
Abolished? And your position will be?
Minister for the Dismantling of Public Enterprise.
GLISTRUP IS WITHOUT INFLUENCE
HE CAN NOW BE PUT ON TRIAL HIS OWN PEOPLE TURN ON HIM
SPIES REVEALS: MEMBER OF THE NAZI PARTY IN THE 40s
SPIES: I WAS JUST A YOUNG BOY EAGER TO WORK!
SPIES TRAVEL BIGGER THAN EVER
GLISTRUP LOSES IN HIGH COURT
SPIES THROWS A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR ALL OF DENMARK
GLISTRUP GOES TO JAIL
DENMARK'S TRAVEL KING MARRIES
SPIES REVEALS: I WILL DIE SOON
Mogens, Simon Spies died this morning.
You have a visitor.
Mogens? You have a visitor.
Your guest is over there.
I don't believe we've met.
- Janni. - Mogens.
Have you heard that ...
It's because of you that Simon and I got married.
He always said it was your idea for him to find a young wife.
There's something Simon wanted you to have.
I had to promise to get it to you, so I thought it best to come in person.
It was all he talked about in his final hours.
I'll write to the prison governor about letting you attend the funeral.
- If you want to. - Yes, I'd like that.
Then that's what I'll do.
Take care, Mogens.
BEER COCK
JANNI SPIES SENT A LETTER TO THE WARDEN
IT WORKED
SPIES LEFT SPIES TRAVEL AND DKK 1 BILLION TO HIS YOUNG BRIDE
12 YEARS LATER THE COMPANY WAS TAKEN OVER BY BRITISH AIRTOURS
UPON HIS RELEASE GLISTRUP BATTLED AGAINST 'ISLAMISTS'
THE 2001 ELECTION WAS TO BE THE PROGRESS PARTY'S LAST
IN 2005 GLISTRUP RETURNED TO PRISON THIS TIME FOR RACISM
MOGENS GLISTRUP DIED IN 2008 AT THE AGE OF 82 WITH LENE BY HIS SIDE
Subtitles: Louise Munk Alminde Scandinavian Text Service 2013