James Norton reads a heartbreaking love letter

Husband and wife Arvid and Mildred Harnack were members of the Red Orchestra, an anti-Nazi movement hunted down by the Gestapo in 1942. In December of that year, shortly before he was executed, Arvid wrote the following letter to his wife, content in the knowledge that his wife’s life was to be spared.
Tragically, after Arvid’s death Hitler ordered a retrial that resulted in Mildred’s execution.
James Norton joined us at Letters Live at London's Roundhouse theatre to read Arvid's final letter to his wife.

[@johncarsone1579]

James was the perfect choice to read this poignant letter. He is marvelous!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@CarinTibellAhlin]

So many amazingly brave people who sacrificed their lives for the greater good. We all owe them to remember them with profound gratitude. Thank you for sharing this beautiful letter. ❤

[@CatsandJP]

Beautifully read, but what a tragic outcome for both. Now resting forever in each others arms. 💔❤️‍🩹🕊️

[@felsenruh]

Indeed a beautiful letter. For those who were touched I recommend doing an internet search for the full text of last letter written by Sullivan Ballou, an officer in the Union Army in the American Civil War. Major Ballou was killed in action in 1861 a week after writing this: . . . Sarah, my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me with mighty cables, that nothing but Omnipotence can break; and yet, my love of country comes over me like a strong wind, and bears me irresistibly on with all those chains, to the battlefield. The memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up, and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our boys grow up to honorable manhood around us. . . . But, O Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth, and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the garish day, and the darkest night amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours always, always, and, if the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air cools your throbbing temples, it shall be my spirit passing by. ...

[@GillianHewitt-ph9wc]

Beautiful and heart felt and James Norton has the most wonderful voice for reading a beautiful love letter

[@WendiRenay]

Oh my soul is so completely broken after this. Wow.

[@Angelfeather100]

James Norton. My first choice to play James Bond ❤️

[@dmagada2911]

I was a bit puzzled with the title and the content of the letter, then reading the description all but broke me. What a tragic ending for the two of them.

[@junejunie2284]

I had the same experience. I listened again with a bit of a broken heart.

[@ajm6040]

i adore this actor....

[@littlelamb1452]

Me too. ❤

[@littlelamb1452]

Me too. ❤

[@michaelfoxbrass]

The purpose and courage they shared made their love all the more meaningful. That we all should know such purpose, courage, and love!

[@mariannegeraud6318]

When one comes face to face with the unavoidable finality of death the love we have given and have received knows not death!!

[@sharmisthabhattacharya6166]

Overwhelmed....

[@CatsandJP]

The history of this man is readily available and there are many monuments and even stamps issued. This man was hung on meat hooks with piano wires and his wife was beheaded and her body released for dissection. As for the comment about the letter surviving I suggest people look a little closer, they had many colleagues and Avid’s brother was a member of “ White Rose Résistance” who survived and had one of the monuments erected. (There was a thesis written in 2000.) It is highly likely he had their personal effects (letters) which it appears were passed on and given to Mildred’s great great niece Rebecca Donner who wrote an award winning biography. It never pays to assume.

[@Doooooooooooood]

All these letter remind us to keep and treasure hard copies of everything!

[@simone222]

Beautiful and poignant.

[@rorschachdaws7505]

This man should be Ultraman in DCU

[@jamesnortonblog]

Is it possible to know the date of this recording? Thank you

[@clivesmith9377]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Aestheticsandall]

❤

[@Buckets41369]

What is up with the video chapters, “let’s get ready to roasteeeeem”?

[@Emily_M.]

🎶Anatole is hot, Marya is old-school, Sonya is good, Natasha is young, And Andrey isn’t here🎶- Oh wait, he is.

[@AdamBechtol]

💛

[@flobogirl6]

🥺❤✨😫😭

[@marieroberts5664]

The letter is beautiful on its own, but far more important and impressive when you understand the context. But still, I for one hope that this information was available to the audience at least, even if not explained during the reading. Those letters which are self explanatory (like insurance company and motor vehicle and other complaints) need nothing other than the content...but this type of love letter needs the context. We need to know why it was so important. Of course, you can figure out somebody is staring their own mortality in the face, most likely the writer, but even that is not certain. Those who hear this now, without checking the description, will not get the full benefit of the letter, and if you are reading my comment, and have not read the history, please read it now. Finally, I have to wonder how the letter survived and did it even reach its intended recipient? I doubt it. The Nazis would have destroyed it, along with the wife. So how that piece of paper survived to be read in the 21st Century is important to know, and the organization should add that to the history too.

[@delappcatherined9041]

Exactly what I was wondering!

[@LadaDR]

❤