The Return of The Scream

Summary

History Daily: The Return of The Scream Release Date: May 7, 2025

Hosted by Lindsey Graham | Produced by Airship, Noiser, Wondery

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Introduction

On this episode of History Daily, host Lindsey Graham delves into one of the most audacious art heists in modern history—the theft and subsequent recovery of Edvard Munch's iconic masterpiece, "The Scream." Through meticulous storytelling, Graham and narrator Leif Lir unravel the intricate web of crime, investigation, and international cooperation that ultimately led to the painting's return.

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The Heist: A Chilling Night in Oslo

February 12, 1994, marked a dark day for art enthusiasts worldwide. Outside the National Art Gallery in Oslo, Norway, an elaborate plan was set into motion. Leif Lir recounts the detailed execution of the theft:

"It's early morning on February 12, 1994 outside the National Art Gallery in Oslo, Norway. Snow falls softly onto the face of 18-year-old William Ozheim as he stops walking and stares up at the arched second-floor window of the grand brick building." [00:15]

William Ozheim, alongside his accomplice, meticulously prepares to steal "The Scream." Utilizing a ladder and exploiting a temporarily disabled security system, Ozheim manages to breach the gallery without triggering any alarms. His swift actions and the thoughtful timing, especially with the cleaners' schedules in mind, showcase the level of planning involved.

Despite a nerve-wracking slip caused by the slippery snow:

"William's heart beats faster and faster, but in the falling snow, the rungs of the ladder are becoming slippery. William is not 8ft above the ground when he slips. The soft snow breaks his fall and William is unhurt. His accomplice scowls silently at him." [00:15]

Ozheim successfully removes "The Scream," leaving behind a mocking note: "Thanks for the bad security." This bold statement underscored the audacity of the theft and sent shockwaves through the art community.

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Immediate Aftermath and Initial Investigation

The disappearance of "The Scream" didn't go unnoticed. Lindsey Graham introduces us to Leif Lir, Norway's Assistant Chief of Police, who is present at the 1994 Winter Olympics opening ceremony when he receives the urgent call about the theft:

"Leif feels his pager buzz on his belt. Without thinking too much of it, Leif glances down to read the message and then swears under his breath he's been sent an emergency code meaning he'll have to leave the ceremony immediately." [04:11]

Arriving at the crime scene, Leif faces a media frenzy eager for answers. With limited clues—primarily the mocking note and grainy CCTV footage—the investigation seems stymied. Speculations range from anti-abortion activists seeking publicity to mere attention-seekers capitalizing on the Olympic spotlight.

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The Prime Suspect: Pal Enger

As the investigation unfolds, Pal Enger emerges as the prime suspect. A former professional footballer turned career criminal, Enger's history of art theft makes him a likely culprit. Notably, he had previously stolen an Edvard Munch painting from the same gallery in 1988:

"Pal is a former professional footballer, and for him, the adulation of fans was never enough. He only truly felt alive when he turned to crime." [04:11]

However, evidence against Enger is circumstantial. Blurry CCTV footage shows him at the gallery, but without concrete proof, the case remains unresolved. The lack of a ransom demand or any sign of the painting on the black market deepens the mystery.

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International Collaboration: The London Connection

With the investigation hitting a dead end, Leif decides to seek international expertise. Enter Charlie Hill, an undercover detective from London's Metropolitan Police, assigned to aid the Norwegian force:

"Charlie Hill, a large Englishman in his mid-40s, sits in the hotel restaurant... He is one of them. Charlie is a detective from London's Metropolitan Police... trying to find out as much as he can about the theft of the Scream." [11:31]

Disguised as Chris Roberts, an American art dealer, Charlie orchestrates a sting operation to lure the criminals out. The strategy hinges on posing as a representative from the Getty Museum in California, ready to pay a substantial ransom for the painting's return.

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The Sting: Deception and Risk

The sting operation culminates at the Plaza Hotel in Oslo. Charlie negotiates with gang members, carefully managing the interaction to ensure the entire criminal organization is targeted:

"Charlie could simply grab the criminals there and then. But the man doesn't have the painting with him. And Charlie wants to arrest the entire gang, not just one of them." [11:31]

His patience pays off when, the next morning, the gang arrives at a pre-arranged summer house. Amidst mounting tension, Charlie leads the criminals into a cellar where "The Scream" is finally recovered:

"There, in a dusty corner of the cellar, is the Scream. It takes Charlie very little time to authenticate it." [15:07]

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Climactic Arrests and Aftermath

With "The Scream" safely in police hands, the operation appears to be a success. However, Pal Enger remains elusive until a tense encounter at a gas station:

"Pal Enge has just filled up his tank and is heading in to pay... With his son still strapped to his chest and crying pitifully, Pal holds up his hands and surrenders." [17:49]

Faced with overwhelming evidence and recognizing the tightening noose around him, Enger chooses to surrender rather than escalate to violence. This pivotal moment leads to his conviction:

"18 months later, on January 18, 1996, Pal Enge is found guilty of conspiring to steal the Scream. He's sent away for six years and three months, the longest prison sentence ever given out for a theft in Norway." [19:46]

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Conclusion: A Triumph of International Policing

The recovery of "The Scream" stands as a testament to effective international collaboration between Norwegian and British police forces. The meticulous planning, undercover operations, and unwavering determination of officers like Leif Lir and Charlie Hill ensured that one of art's greatest masterpieces was returned to its rightful place.

"The work of Charlie Hill and Leif Lir won't be over until Pal Enge is anger. The suspected mastermind behind the theft is finally caught and put behind bars." [15:07]

This episode not only recounts a thrilling art heist but also highlights the complexities and triumphs inherent in solving international crimes.

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Behind the Scenes

Production Credits:

• Host: Lindsey Graham
• Narrator: Leif Lir
• Audio Editing: Mohamed Shazid
• Sound Design: Matthew Filler
• Music: Thrum
• Writers: Owen Paul Nichols
• Editors: William Simpson
• Managing Producer: Emily Burke
• Executive Producers: William Simpson (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser)

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Notable Quotes

• William Ozheim: "William's heart beats faster and faster, but in the falling snow, the rungs of the ladder are becoming slippery." [00:15]

• Leif Lir: "Leif feels his pager buzz on his belt. Without thinking too much of it, Leif glances down to read the message..." [04:11]

• Charlie Hill: "I would pay a ransom on behalf of the museum in order to save a true work of art." [11:31]

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Final Thoughts

"The Return of The Scream" is a captivating narrative that blends art history with the suspense of criminal investigation. By spotlighting the dedication of law enforcement and the intricate dance of undercover operations, History Daily offers listeners a profound appreciation for the lengths taken to preserve cultural treasures.

For those intrigued by this episode, be sure to tune in to History Daily for more enthralling stories that illuminate the events shaping our world, one day at a time.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at.

[Leif Lir]

IntoHistory.com it's early morning on February 12, 1994 outside the National Art Gallery in Oslo, Norway. Snow falls softly onto the face of 18 year old William Ozheim as he stops walking and stares up at the arched second floor window of the grand brick building. William silences the timer on his wristwatch. The moment he's been worrying about for weeks has arrived. He signals to his accomplice to get the ladder from the roof of their car, which is parked on the street nearby. Together, the two men place the ladder against the window and then William begins to climb. His hands tremble, adrenaline surging through him. William's heart beats faster and faster, but in the falling snow, the rungs of the ladder are becoming slippery. William is not 8ft above the ground when he slips. The soft snow breaks his fall and William is unhurt. His accomplice scowls silently at him though, so William quickly gets to his feet, starts climbing again. This time he reaches the top. William checks his watch again. Despite his fall, he's still on schedule and if all goes to plan, the next action will be perfectly timed with the arrival of the cleaners at the back of the building. From his jacket pocket, William pulls out a small hammer and breaks the window in front of him. No alarm sound. Just as expected, the cleaners have switched off the security system. Careful not to cut himself on the glass, William climbs through and into the gallery. Inside, the room is dark and at first William finds it hard to make out what's around him. But slowly his eyes adjust and he begins scanning the walls for the painting. He's here for. Edvard Munch's the Scream is one of the most recognizable artworks in the world. This iconic image shows a man with his hands up to his face, howling under a blood red sky. Normally there'd be crowds of people in this room eager to see the famous painting, but William has it all to himself, though he's not here to admire it. William lifts the painting from the wall and again no alarms sound and no guards appear. Then, on the floor, William leaves a note given to him by his boss, the mastermind behind the theft. It reads simply, thanks for the bad security. Then, with the painting tucked under his arm, William crosses the dark gallery to the broken window, climbs out down the slippery ladder and flees into the night. The disappearance of Edvard Munch's the Scream makes headlines around the world for months. One of the most famous paintings of all time will be in the hands of criminals until an elaborate sting operation to rescue the painting and catch those behind the crime is launched on May 7, 1994.

[Lindsey Graham]

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[Leif Lir]

From Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is History Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is May 7, 1994. The return of the scream It's February 12, 1994, in Lillehammer, Norway, just a few hours after thieves stole the Scream from the National Art Gallery in Oslo. The opening ceremony of the 1994 Winter Olympics is underway, and among the crowd of cheering spectators is Leif Lir, Norway's assistant chief of police. He gets to his feet and applauds as a skier carries a flaming torch down a steep slope toward the Olympic cauldron. The beginning of these Winter Games is a moment of great pride for Leif and all of his countrymen. Watching the torch reach its final destination, Leif feels his pager buzz on his belt. Without thinking too much of it, Leif glances down to read the message and then swears under his breath he's been sent an emergency code mean meaning he'll have to leave the ceremony immediately. Leif bustles his way past the other spectators out into the tunnels of the stadium as Pedro buzzes again and sensing the urgency, he picks up the pace until he finds a payphone just outside the arena and calls into his office. Leif is unprepared for the news given to him, he's told that in the early hours of the morning, thieves broke into the National Art Gallery in Oslo and walked away with one of Europe's greatest paintings, Edvard Munch's the Screaming. It's now Leif's job to find the painting and bring it back. Created in 1893, the Scream is considered by many to be Edvard Monch's masterpiece. Edvard's life was plagued by illness and mental health problems, and he lived at a time of great turbulence. Norway was changing rapidly thanks to industrialization, and it was divided by a political dispute over its future. Norway had been part of a united kingdom with Sweden for decades, but now many Norwegians wanted full independence from their neighbor. With all this unrest, Edvard decided to craft representation of what he saw around him. The common man struggling with seismic change. Edvard depicted a lone figure standing on a bridge under a crimson sky, his hands covering his ears. The man is not the one screaming. Rather, his hands are blocking out the scream he hears all around him. It is this gesture that makes many see the painting as the perfect depiction of anxiety and as grimly relevant in the modern world as it was in 1893. It's a feeling the investigator Leif Lear shares as he arrives at the crime scene in central Oslo. The gallery is surrounded by reporters and news crews. Most of their attention is on the ladder still propped up against the wall where William Ozhom and his accomplice left it. But when the journalists spot Leif, they crowd around him, asking how such a theft could happen and who might be behind it. Leif has no way of answering their questions yet. Leaving the clamor of the reporters behind, Leif heads inside the welcome quiet of the gallery. He climbs the stairs up into the room where the stolen painting once hung. There are several other police officers there who show Leif the mocking note left by the criminals. That and some grainy CCTV footage are the only clues Leif has. And as the police and Oslo begin their investigation, different theories crop up in newspapers. Some point to anti abortion campaigners looking for publicity for their cause. Others think it might just be attention seekers hoping to take the limelight away from the Olympics. But while the journalists chase sensational headlines, the police keep working. And as officers make inquiries, one name comes up again and again. Pal Enger. Pal is a former professional footballer, and for him, the adulation of fans was never enough. He only truly felt alive when he turned to crime. After a series of petty thefts in 1988, Pal raised his game. He stole another Edvard Munch painting from the very same gallery that housed the Scream. He was caught and sentenced to four years in prison. Now, though, he's out, and many Norwegian police officers suspect he's returned to the scene of his earlier crime for his latest theft. Leif agrees that Pal is the prime suspect, but compelling evidence proves hard to find. There is CCTV footage of Powell visiting the museum in the weeks before the theft, but visiting an art gallery isn't a crime, and when Powell is interviewed, his alibi checks out. He wasn't near the crime scene when the theft took place, and even if he was, the CCTV footage is far too blurry to make an accurate identification. Complicating the investigation is the fact that no one has yet come forward with a ransom demand. There's no sign the painting's been sold on the black market, and it's as if the Scream has simply vanished. Months pass with no breakthrough, and Leif eventually decides he needs help. To retrieve the painting and capture those who stole it, Leif will turn to a group of criminal investigators from England, professionals who have dealt with major art thefts before. Together with these experts, Leif will come up with a plan to lure the thieves out of hiding and finally recover Edvard Monk's Scream.

[Lindsey Graham]

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[Leif Lir]

It's May 6, 1994, at the Plaza Hotel in Oslo, nearly three months after the theft of the Scream by Edvard Monk. Charlie Hill, a large Englishman in his mid-40s, sits in the hotel restaurant waiting for his food to arrive. He seems strangely nervous, though, and sweats uncomfortably in his expensive rented suit. Two Norwegian men join him at the table. The one is a prominent art dealer and the other is a member of Norway's criminal underworld. The three men exchange pleasantries, and then discussion soon turns to the recently stolen painting the Scream. As they discuss the possibility of it being ransomed, sweat starts to roll down Charlie's temple. But what worries Charlie isn't the criminal at his table. He's dealt with plenty of those over the years. It's the members of the law enforcement community all around him. There are hundreds of them in the hotel, all here for a police conference, and the reason Charlie is nervous is because Charlie is one of them. Charlie is a detective from London's Metropolitan Police. He's undercover today, trying to find out as much as he can about the theft of the Scream. He's dressed in clothes he wouldn't usually wear, speaking in an accent that isn't his own. He even changed his name from Charlie Hill to Chris Roberts. But he's still petrified that one of the police officers here will recognize him, waltz over and say hello. A memo has been circulated to warn those in attendance about Charlie's operation. But all it takes is one man to make a mistake. Call him by his real name, and Charlie's cover will be blown. Along with weeks of careful planning. Charlie was first contacted by the Norwegian police in late February. With few clues to work with and their prime suspect having an alibi, detectives in Oslo had hit a dead end. Leif Lear, the Assistant Chief of Police in Norway knew that Charlie and his team had dealt with high profile art theft cases before and they were experienced working undercover. So he made a request to London for their help. And once the two police forces linked up, it was quickly established that a sting operation represented the best hope of recovering the lost painting. The screen would be virtually impossible to sell on the open market. It's too famous and everyone knows it was stolen. So Charlie devised a plan to pretend to be an American art dealer working on behalf of the Getty Museum in California. Word was put on the street that Charlie would pay a sizable reward to those who might return the painting. In other words, he would pay a ransom on behalf of the museum in order to save a true work of art. Didn't take long for the gang behind the theft to rise to the bait. So now at the Plaza Hotel, the stage is set for the sting. Charlie sits opposite the gang member and his art dealer intermediary to negotiate a price for the painting and arrangements for payment and collection. Charlie could simply grab the criminals there and then. But the man doesn't have the painting with him. And Charlie wants to arrest the entire gang, not just one of them. So when the deal comes to a close, Charlie decides to allow the Norwegian gangster to leave freely. Still, Charlie spends the rest of the night worrying he's blown his chance to make an arrest. Rest. All he can do is wait to see if the gang gets in contact again. And at 9am the next morning, they do. Charlie picks up the phone, puts on his fake American accent and arranges a rendezvous. Minutes later, a car pulls up outside his hotel to take Charlie away. Charlie is then driven 100 miles south out of Oslo to a summer house in a small coastal town. The whole way, Charlie sweats nervously and.

[Lindsey Graham]

Then even more as the gang members.

[Leif Lir]

Lead him into a cellar beneath the house. He worries his cover has been blown and these steps might be his last. But as his eyes grow accustomed to the dark, Charlie sees what he was sent to Norway to find. There, in a dusty corner of the cellar, is the Scream. It takes Charlie very little time to authenticate it. The Scream has several distinctive marks on its canvas candle wax spirit, built on the painting by Edvard Munch himself. So certain that the painting is real, Charlie makes a call to his team, telling them that the promised reward can now be delivered. But of course, the criminals don't get what they were expecting. Within seconds, police swoop in to arrest them all and recover the painting unharmed. But while the Scream has been found, not all the criminals are yet in custody. The work of Charlie Hill and Leif Lear won't be over until Patience how anger. The suspected mastermind behind the theft is finally caught and put behind bars.

[Charlie Hill]

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[Lindsey Graham]

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[Leif Lir]

It's May 7, 1994, at a gas station outside central Oslo, a few hours after a police sting operation recovered the scream. Pal Anger has just filled up his tank and is heading in to pay. Strapped to his chest is his infant son, and tucked into his waistband is a pistol. Whether or not he'll have to use it today, Pal isn't sure. His eyes dart from face to face, wondering if any of the other customers at their cars are undercover police. Police. His son begins to cry as Pal makes his way inside. The man behind the counter gives him a comforting smile. It wasn't too long ago that he too was dealing with a crying newborn, but Pal doesn't smile back. Just a few hours earlier, he heard the news that the gang he worked with to steal the Scream had all been arrested. He fears the nets closing around him. And sure enough, the moment he finishes paying and heads back to his car, police vehicles screech to a stop, blocking Pal in. In this moment, Pal has a choice, but he doesn't reach for his weapon. With his son still strapped to his chest and crying pitifully, Pal holds up his hands and surrenders. Pal Anger has been toying with the police investigation for months. When his son was born, he took out a newspaper ad saying the boy had been born with a scream. He himself was the one who left tips on the police hotline telling the painting was hidden in his car. When the police then stopped him and searched his vehicle, Powell got a kick out of the fact that they couldn't find the painting. Now, though, it seems the police have their man. And with the rest of the gang also in custody, it doesn't take officers long to find enough evidence linking them all to the theft. So 18 months later, on January 18, 1996, pal anger is found guilty of conspiring to steal the Scream. He's sent away for six years and three months, the longest prison sentence ever given out for a theft in Norway. His accomplices also faced prison time, including William Olson, the man who took the.

[Lindsey Graham]

Painting from the gallery in the first.

[Leif Lir]

Place and sparked an international police effort that finally led to the recovery of the Scream and the arrest of the gang behind the theft on May 7, 1990.

[Lindsey Graham]

Next on History Daily May 8, 1970, British rock band The Beatles released their.

[Leif Lir]

12Th and final studio album, Let It Be from Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohamed Shazid Sound design by Matthew Filler Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched by Owen Paul Nichols. Edited by William Simpson Managing Producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

[Desiree]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Tessie Ray. Until one day I texted her and.

[Leif Lir]

She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.

[Desiree]

Desiree was gone. And there was one person who knew the answer.

[Leif Lir]

I am a spiritual person, a magical person, a witch.

[Desiree]

A gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from Wondery. Based on my smash hit podcast from Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb.

[Leif Lir]

I'm calling to check on the two missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there the family are freaking out. They are lost.

[Desiree]

I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.