The Emigrants

Struggling on a spare farm in a cold corner of 19th century rural Sweden, Karl Oskar Nilsson and his wife Kristina confront hunger, dwindling resources and rising social and religious pressure. Facing a tightening world and hostile local authorities, they decide to leave behind family and homeland and seek a new life across the Atlantic. The couple joins a growing stream of peasants on the perilous voyage, then endures a grueling overland trek toward the promise of America. After weeks of hardship they reach Minnesota, a rugged place that looks almost pastoral compared to the life they left, yet still tests their resolve and hopes.

Directed by Jan Troell and released in 1971, the film adapts Vilhelm Moberg and Bengt Forslund's saga about Swedes leaving home for a new life. The budget was about $1,600,000 and stars Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann.

The Emigrants helped shape international views of Scandinavian cinema and immigrant stories. Its spare, intimate drama and the stark Minnesota landscapes left a lasting mark on later films about exile and belonging, with the performances of Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann often praised.

Critics praised the film for its humane portrayal of ordinary people facing upheaval. The narrative centers on endurance, family loyalty, and the lure of opportunity versus the cost of leaving everything behind. It balances historical scope with intimate, human moments.