The Only Way (1970) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place in German-occupied Denmark during October 1943, primarily in Copenhagen and surrounding areas. The story centers on Jewish families hiding in apartments while resistance members coordinate escape routes to neutral Sweden. The tension of Nazi raids and secret meetings defines the dangerous atmosphere of the setting.

• occupied denmark
• copenhagen
• setting
• world war 2

The film is set in October 1943, during World War II. This was the critical moment when Nazi authorities intensified efforts to deport Danish Jews after previously agreeing to leave them unharmed. The timing is essential because it marks the shift from relative safety to immediate danger for Denmark's Jewish population.

• october 1943
• world war 2
• time period
• 1940s

In April 1940, Nazi Germany occupied Denmark, and the Danish government agreed to cooperate only if Jewish citizens were left unharmed. The Nazis initially accepted but broke this promise in October 1943, ordering the deportation of Danish Jews. The film depicts how ordinary Danes responded by organizing a massive rescue effort to hide and ferry thousands of Jews to safety in Sweden.

• danish resistance
• nazi occupation
• deportation
• denmark 1943

Sweden served as the destination because it was neutral during World War II and offered safety from Nazi deportation. The film portrays the dangerous escape across the Øresund strait as the only viable option for Danish Jews to avoid extermination. The journey represents both physical survival and the hope of freedom.

• sweden
• escape route
• refugee
• neutral country

The film centers on how ordinary Danish citizens created a civilian network to shelter Jews and facilitate their escape, illustrating active resistance against oppression. It highlights the danger and determination required to oppose an occupying power, framing resistance as a collective act of courage rather than merely confrontation with soldiers. This theme emphasizes that everyday people can make profound differences during crisis.

• resistance
• civilian network
• opposition
• courage
• world war 2

The film shows sacrifice through Lars, who gives his life to prevent the capture of the Stein family, demonstrating the high cost of doing what is right. This theme illustrates that personal risk is often necessary for the safety of others, and the burden of saving lives falls on those willing to help. The sacrifice adds somber gravity to the otherwise hopeful outcome.

• sacrifice
• lars
• death
• helping others
• resistance代价

Family loyalty drives the protagonists to endure danger and separation, with the mother's protective instinct contrasting against the father's steadfast choices. The Stein family's bonds shape the moral and emotional core of the story, demonstrating that family ties can inspire acts of bravery in dire times. This theme reinforces that the fight to protect loved ones motivates the characters' dangerous choices.

• family
• stein family
• loyalty
• parents
• bonds

Lillian Stein is a Jewish ballet teacher who discovers the Nazi deportation plan and becomes the focal point for the escape effort. Her resolve and grace under pressure guide the family's decisions and resilience throughout the dangerous circumstances. She represents the targeted population whose survival depends on the collective action ofhelpers.

• lillian stein
• jane seymour
• protagonist
• ballet teacher

Mr. Petersen is the friend who hosts the Stein family and coordinates with resistance members to move them toward Sweden. He acts as a practical facilitator, linking everyday citizens to the wider escape network. His role represents the essential logistical support that ordinary people provided to make the rescue operation possible.

• mr petersen
• resistance
• coordinator
• helper
• network

Dr. Kjær is the physician who assists in moving the family to safety, representing the humanitarian aid that underpinned the escape operation. His medical expertise and willingness to help illustrate how various professionals contributed to the rescue effort beyond those directly involved in resistance activities.

• dr kjaer
• doctor
• medical help
• humanitarian
• aid

The title refers to the desperate reality that escaping to Sweden was the only option for Danish Jews to avoid deportation and death. It reflects the urgency and lack of alternatives facing the characters, while also suggesting the moral choice of the resistance members who saw helping Jews as the only right thing to do.

• title
• meaning
• escape
• survival
• option

The film depicts the remarkable historical rescue of Danish Jews in October 1943, when Danish citizens risked their lives to hide and ferry thousands of Jews to safety in Sweden. This event is historically documented as one of the most successful rescue operations during the Holocaust. The film dramatizes these real events while focusing on the collective heroism of ordinary Danes.

• historical
• true story
• fact
• holocaust
• denmark rescue

The film has a tense, high-intensity atmosphere due to the life-or-death stakes of Nazi raids hunting Jewish citizens. However, the focus on collective heroism and successful escape provides a hopeful rather than bleak ending. The emotional journey transforms anxiety into relief, though the sacrifice of characters like Lars adds somber gravity to the overall hopeful outcome.

• tone
• mood
• emotional
• war film
• hope