What Is The Only Way About?
The premise of The Only Way in 315 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In October 1943, the uneasy peace of German-occupied Denmark is shattered by a terrifying shift in policy. For years, the Danish government had secured a fragile safety for its Jewish citizens, but when the Nazi regime breaks this promise, a shadow falls over Copenhagen. The looming threat of deportation forces a community to confront an impossible choice: stand by in silence or risk everything to protect their neighbors from a fate few dare to speak of aloud.
At the heart of this historical turmoil stands the Stein family, whose lives are upended by the encroaching terror. Leo, a dedicated violin dealer, and his wife, Ruth, find their world narrowing as the danger tightens around them. Their daughter, Lillian, a ballet teacher, sees her artistic pursuits interrupted by a reality where identity has become a liability. As the family grapples with the realization that their home is no longer a sanctuary, they must rely on a network of unexpected allies to navigate a city where trust is the most valuable currency.
Among these allies is Mr. Petersen, a friend whose resolve mirrors the quiet courage spreading throughout the Danish population. The film paints a vivid portrait of a society on the brink, where ordinary citizens—shopkeepers, doctors, and neighbors—mobilize to thwart a meticulously planned atrocity. The atmosphere is thick with tension and suspense, yet underscored by a profound sense of humanity as the resistance moves to spirit their countrymen to safety.
As the net tightens and the clock ticks down, the narrative explores the depths of moral courage under an oppressive regime. It is a story not just of survival, but of solidarity, capturing the spirit of a people determined to uphold the value of human life even when faced with overwhelming force. The Steins’ journey becomes a lens through which the viewer witnesses the extraordinary lengths to which ordinary people will go to protect the innocent.
What Happens in The Only Way?
The complete story of The Only Way, from the first scene to the last, in 292 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In October 1943, in German-occupied Denmark, a chilling plan unfolds: the Nazis decide to deport all Danish Jews to extermination camps. Yet the Danish people rise to meet the threat with quiet resolve, aiming to shield their Jewish neighbors from impending doom.
Lillian Stein, Jane Seymour, a Jewish ballet teacher, learns of the plan; the family’s father, Leo Stein, Ebbe Rode, a violin dealer, refuses to abandon them. Ruth Stein, Helle Virkner, Lillian’s mother, acts with steadiness and courage as the danger tightens around them. The Nazi round-up nets very few Jews, because most have gone into hiding, protected by the Danish resistance.
Soldiers break into the Steins’ apartment, only to find the family missing, having hidden upstairs in the apartment of their friend, Mr. Petersen, Ove Sprogøe. The Resistance plots a risky route to safety: smuggling the Jews out of the country by hiring fishing boats to carry them to neutral Sweden. Petersen works tirelessly, meeting with various allies to orchestrate the escape and keep the plan alive.
Leo Stein leaves the shop to try to sell a valuable violin in order to raise the funds needed for their flight, while Ruth refuses to depart without her husband but sends Lillian ahead to safety. Dr. Kjær, Bjørn Watt-Boolsen, arrives to pick up the family, yet Ruth anchors the family’s resolve, choosing not to flee without Leo.
The Nazis return to Stein’s shop, but Leo once again eludes capture. The next day, as the couple are leaving Petersen’s apartment, Lars, Stein’s assistant, Benny Hansen, sacrifices himself to buy precious time for the family’s escape. After a series of narrow moments and brave decisions, Lillian and her parents reach the evacuation point, board a small boat, and soon reach Sweden, where safety awaits.
The Only Way Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Nazi plan to deport Danish Jews” to “Boarding the boat to Sweden”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Nazi plan to deport Danish Jews
In October 1943, German authorities announce they will deport all Danish Jews to extermination camps. The plan aims to annihilate the Jewish population, but the Danish people rally to protect their neighbors. This decision sets up a tense clash between occupation forces and a determined resistance.
When:October 1943 Where:German-occupied Denmark
- 2
Lillian learns of the plan
Lillian Stein, a Jewish ballet teacher, learns that the Nazis intend to deport Jews from Denmark. She shares the burden with her family as her father, a violin dealer, refuses to abandon their home. The revelation begins the family’s difficult choices about hiding and possible escape.
When:October 1943 Where:Stein family home, Copenhagen
- 3
Nazi round-up nets few Jews; Steins hide
The Nazis conduct a round-up in German-occupied Denmark, but very few Jews are captured because most have gone into hiding. The Steins are discovered to be away, having hidden upstairs in Mr. Petersen's apartment. This raid underscores how close danger remains and the value of the resistance network.
When:October 1943 Where:Stein's apartment and Petersen's apartment, Copenhagen
- 4
Resistance plans escape via Sweden
The Danish Resistance devises a plan to spirit the hidden Jews out of the country using fishing boats bound for neutral Sweden. The operation requires secrecy and coordinated help from locals and sympathetic fishermen. The plan marks a shift from hiding to organized escape.
When:October 1943 Where:Denmark coast
- 5
Petersen seeks help to get the Steins out
Petersen meets with various contacts to secure the Steins' passage. He canvasses for a viable escape route and reliable boat crews. The negotiations create a fragile network that could collapse at any moment.
When:October 1943 Where:Petersen's apartment and surrounding meetings, Copenhagen
- 6
Mr. Stein leaves to sell a violin
Mr. Stein leaves the apartment to sell a valuable violin in order to raise funds for the escape. His absence creates a temporary window of vulnerability for the family. The family’s fate now depends on timely decisions and the success of the smuggling plan.
When:October 1943 Where:Stein's violin shop, Copenhagen
- 7
Dr. Kjær arrives to collect the family
Dr. Kjær arrives to pick up the Steins as planned. Mrs. Stein refuses to leave without her husband but bravely sends Lillian ahead to safety. The departure sequence sets up the final escape attempt.
When:October 1943 Where:Stein's shop, Copenhagen
- 8
Nazis return; Stein eludes capture
The Nazis return to Stein's shop and again the family avoids capture as Mr. Stein slips away. He uses quick movements and distractions to stay one step ahead of authorities. The tension remains high as the net tightens around the Steins.
When:October 1943 Where:Stein's shop, Copenhagen
- 9
Lars sacrifices to aid the escape
The next day, as the couple depart from Petersen's apartment, Lars, Stein's devoted assistant, sacrifices his life to prevent their capture. His act buys precious time and demonstrates the human cost of resistance. The family presses forward toward a possible escape route.
When:The next day, October 1943 Where:Petersen's apartment area, Copenhagen
- 10
Reaching the evacuation point
After a series of close calls, Lillian and her parents reach the designated evacuation point. They cling to hope as they wait for a route to safety. The escape feels within reach but remains perilous.
When:October 1943 Where:Evacuation point in Denmark
- 11
Boarding the boat to Sweden
The family boards a small fishing boat and sails toward neutral Sweden. The voyage marks a perilous but hopeful turning point as they enter safety. The escape confirms the power of collective courage and improvisation during occupation.
When:Soon after reaching the evacuation point, October 1943 Where:Sea en route to Sweden
Who Are the Main Characters in The Only Way?
8 characters, among them Lillian Stein (Jane Seymour), Leo Stein and Ruth Stein: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Lillian Stein (Jane Seymour)
Played by Jane Seymour
The Jewish ballet teacher who discovers the Nazi deportation plan and becomes a focal point for the escape effort. Her resolve and grace under pressure guide the family's decisions and resilience.
- 💡 Protagonist
- 🧠 Courage
- LS
Leo Stein
Played by Ebbe Rode
Lillian's father, a violin dealer whose safety-minded but hopeful approach keeps the family moving toward freedom. His love of art and quiet strength anchor the family during perilous moments.
- 🎻 Artist
- 🛡️ Protective
- RS
Ruth Stein
Played by Helle Virkner
Lillian's mother, who refuses to abandon her husband and must balance maternal care with the risk of arrest. She embodies determination and devotion in the face of fear.
- 👪 Mother
- 🛡️ Protective
- MP
Mr. Petersen
Played by Ove Sprogøe
The friend who hosts the Steins and coordinates with resistance members to move them toward Sweden. He acts as a practical facilitator linking everyday citizens to a wider escape plan.
- 🗺️ Connector
- 🤝 Ally
- DK
Dr. Kjær
Played by Bjørn Watt-Boolsen
The doctor who assists in moving the family to safety, representing the humanitarian aid underpinning the escape operation.
- 🩺 Doctor
- 🤝 Ally
- L
Lars
Played by Benny Hansen
Stein's assistant who sacrifices himself to prevent the family's capture, embodying loyalty and the peril faced by those aiding the resistance.
- 🕯️ Sacrifice
- 🧭 Loyal
- PB
Pastor Bentzen
Played by Pouel Kern
A local religious figure involved in supporting the network, illustrating how faith communities contributed to sheltering Jews.
- 🙏 Faith
- 🤝 Community
- LA
Lassens assistent
Played by Claus Nissen
A key helper in the escape network, providing logistical support that keeps the operation running under danger.
- 🧭 Logistics
- 🔗 Network
Where and When Is The Only Way Set?
The Only Way is set in Denmark and Sweden (October 1943). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
October 1943
Set during World War II, when Nazi authorities intensified efforts to deport Danish Jews. The period is marked by clandestine resistance, hidden families, and careful planning of escape routes. The atmosphere is grim yet hopeful, driven by the urgency of ferrying people to safety in Sweden.
Where
Denmark, Sweden
The story unfolds in German-occupied Denmark during October 1943, focusing on hiding Jewish families in Copenhagen and nearby areas. Much of the action centers on the Steins’ apartment and Petersen’s network as they plan to reach neutral Sweden. The setting is tense with raid threats, secret meetings, and a courageous effort by ordinary citizens to defy deportation orders.
- 🇩🇰 Occupied Denmark
- 🛶 Escape to Sweden
What Are the Themes of The Only Way?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Resistance, Sacrifice and Family.
-
01
Resistance
The film centers on a civilian network that shelters Jews and facilitates escape, illustrating how ordinary people resist oppression. It highlights the danger and determination required to oppose an occupying power. The narrative frames resistance as a collective act of courage, not just a confrontation with soldiers.
-
02
Sacrifice
Lars sacrifices his life to prevent the capture of the Stein family, underscoring the high cost of doing what is right. The story shows that personal risk is often necessary for the safety of others. Sacrifice is portrayed as a shared burden borne by those who aid the vulnerable.
-
03
Family
Family loyalty drives the protagonists to endure danger and separation. The mother’s protective instinct contrasts with the father’s steadfast choices, shaping the moral and emotional core of the story. The narrative emphasizes that family bonds can inspire acts of bravery in dire times.
What Kind of Film Is The Only Way?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A tense and urgent historical drama about ordinary people risking their lives in a courageous rescue mission, creating a suspenseful and emotionally heavy atmosphere.
- anxious
- urgent
- heroic
- suspenseful
- courageous
- somber
- world war two
- holocaust
- resistance
- escape
Content notes: war violence, persecution, death of a character.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Only Way? Test yourself on the story.
