

Season 1 • Episode 8
LatestKarl and Kristina Nilsson work on a farm in a cold and desolate area of 19th century rural Sweden. Growing privations, combined with increasing social and religious persecution, motivate the Nilssons and many of their neighbors to strike out for the United States. Following a treacherous ocean crossing and an equally grueling land passage, the emigrants find themselves in seemingly idyllic Minnesota.
Acting
Ullmann's silent suffering could crack stone.
Cinematography
Natural light worship that makes hardship gorgeous.
Direction
Troell refuses to rush human experience.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jan Troell shot on actual 19th-century sailing ships; cast suffered real seasickness for authenticity.
This adaptation sparked a Swedish 'America fever' reexamination—turns out they were escaping state church oppression, not just poverty.