DVD Review: The Last Sentence

The Last Sentence tells the true story of Torgny Segerstedt, a Swedish journalist who wrote against Hitler during World War II, questioning and possibly endangering his country’s status of neutrality. It is presented in black and white, and begins with Torgny (Jesper Christensen) watching a newsreel about Hitler taking power, but focuses on the journalist’s personal life, particularly his relationships with women. There is a quote from Torgny himself at the start of the film: “No human can withstand close scrutiny.” And with that in mind, this movie takes a close look at the last decade or so of Torgny’s life.

The film begins in 1933, with Torgny reading a piece he’s written about Hitler: “It is an insult to all sense to force such a leader on a great people.” He then speaks at a dinner party of the crimes being committed in Germany. His wife, Puste (Ulla Skoog), fears her husband is unfaithful, and she’s right. You immediately feel for her, which is interesting, as it is the husband who is the subject here. It’s an excellent choice to be introduced to the man’s flaws so early in the film. This film isn’t some worship piece.

The film focuses on the domestic lives of Torgny and his wife. There’s a heartbreaking moment where Puste begins to play the piano. We see from a servant’s reaction that it’s been a while since she last played. And for a moment Puste is happy. But her playing is almost immediately interrupted by a car horn. And she sees through the window, as do we, her husband getting into a car where his mistress waits. His mistress is Maja, who is married to Torgny’s friend Axel (Bjorn Granath). (Maja is played by Pernilla August, whom Star Wars fans will remember as Shmi Skywalker.) At one point Puste tells her husband, “Sometimes I wish you were more like you write, Torgny.”

I like that the film has a somewhat light, even celebratory feel near the beginning. There is a scene where the paper receives a telegram from Hermann Goring, asking how the issue of Torgny’s writing will be handled in the future, with a slightly veiled threat of retaliation of some kind if the writing continues. And those at the newspaper are all proud that the writing elicited such a response, considering it a success. They talk of framing the telegram.

What’s interesting is that we as viewers get so involved in the personal relationships that we almost forget about the war. Torgny doesn’t hide his relationship with Maja, and is cruel to Puste, publicly humiliating her at times. But it’s not just Puste who is sad. Torgny clearly is as well, and often thinks of the past and has visions of his dead mother.

And then the second half of the film is more about the increasing threat of the Nazis and the Russians, with the danger of Sweden being pulled into the war, as Torgny continues his writing. The film boasts a very impressive cast, with excellent performances by the four leads, particularly by Jesper Christensen as Torgny and Ulla Skoog as Puste.

Special Features

The DVD includes A Close Scrutiny: Behind The Scenes Of The Last Sentence, a forty-five minute documentary by Yohanna Troell, who is the daughter of director Jan Troell and who plays a small role in The Last Sentence. She narrates this documentary in English. Interestingly, much of this film is presented in black and white as well, though there is also some color footage. There are interviews with her father and with cast members Jesper Christensen, Pernilla August, Ulla Skoog and Bjorn Granath. Jan Troell talks about his experiences as a child during World War II, specifically about being evacuated at age eight. Pernilla August talks about Maja’s addiction to morphine. There is lots of behind-the-scenes footage, including the table read, the first day of production, and even a bit of the dog audition.

The theatrical trailer is also included.

The Last Sentence was directed by Jan Troell, and was released on DVD on October 21, 2014 through Music Box Films. It is presented in Swedish with optional English subtitles.