1864

It is the end of the First Schleswig War and we follow the lives of two young boys living in a rural part of Denmark. Their dad along with the baron's son, Didrich returns home as veterans. The dad sustained a leg wound and Didrich possibly got PTSD. In a modern story arch, a young girl Claudia is sent to help an old Baron. (imdb)

Laust, Peter and Inge grow up and with that comes a desire to travel, helped along by visiting gypsies' stories of the world outside Denmark. The politician Monrad, speaking with newfound eloquence, stirs up the already rather superior feeling members of Parliament and the euphoria spreads through the people of Denmark. (imdb)

Monrad forces a new constitution through Parliament that incorporates Schleswig into the Danish kingdom, and, as expected, triggers a declaration of war from Prussia. (imdb)

Peter and Laust reach Dannevirke, where they meet their new Captain - a familiar face from the estate back home - but not exactly a happy reunion. (imdb)

Following the evacuation of Dannevirke, the Prussian Hussars are ordered to hunt down the Danish troops. This leads to a fatal encounter when they catch up with Peter's division. (imdb)

Inge and Sofia reach the front where they come face to face with the harsh realities of war. An encounter with Didrich leaves Inge without any hope of ever seeing Laust or Peter again so she volunteers as a nurse at the camp hospital. (imdb)

Intoxicated and obsessed with the thought of hurting Peter and Laust, Didrich reveals to Peter that Laust and Inge harbor a secret. Peter decides to find Laust to make peace with him. (imdb)

Denmark is in a state of shock. The army has been destroyed and the country now lies open to the Prussians. The rug is pulled out from under Monrad when his former supporters turn their backs on him. (imdb)