THE EMIGRANTS (Theatrical Release Sweden 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Emigrants easily becomes one of the best films of 1971. The story is told in part one The Emigrants (1971) and part two, The New Land (1972). This heartfelt story catches the way in which life sometimes unravels or unfolds itself so that a new path must be chosen. When that ‘forcing’ occurs simultaneously for many individuals, then you have a story like The Emigrants. This film is exceptionally well-written and demands watching. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to lay the foundation for the rest of the film; after that, it is pure art. Excellent work by Director Jan Troell.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Karl Oskar (Max von Sydow) makes the momentous decision to leave Sweden for a new, unknown life in America with his young wife, Kristina (Liv Ullman), and their small children.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan Troell, and to Producer Bengt Forsland for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Robert (Eddie Axberg), Nils (Sven-OIof Bern), Märta (Aina Alfredsson), Danjel (Allan Edwall), Ulrika (Monica Zetterlund), Arvid (Pierre Lindstedt), and Jonas Petter (Hans Alfredson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is worth both the time and the money; unbelievably good story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers