Jan Troell’s two-part masterpiece is both a timely and prescient reminder of the foundational ideals of America, as a refuge and hope to the persecuted and misbegotten of the world. It also has some claim to be one of the canonical films of American 70’s cinema, with as much right to be considered a native work of that country, despite its provenance as a Swedish production.
Based on the novel series of Wilhelm Moberg, it depicts the fate of a hardscrabble farming family from southern Sweden who endure the perilous journey across country and ocean to reach North America and a new life. Their travails don’t end there, the seemingly fertile world they find presents as many challenges to their existence as the one they have fled from. But over time they endure and eventually lay down the roots for the generations to come.
The Emigrants (CTBA)
(Utvandrarna)
Dir Jan Troell/SE 1971/191 mins/Swedish and English with partial Eng ST
Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Eddie Axberg
The New Land (CTBA)
(Nybyggarna)
Dir Jan Troell/SE 1972/214 mins/Swedish and English with partial Eng ST Max von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Eddie Axberg