Utvandrarna (aka The Emigrants) (1971)

Set in 1844 Sweden, a farmer (Max Von Sydow) and his wife (Liv Ullmann in an Oscar nominated performance) struggle to make a go of the farm. Poor weather, bad harvests and a rock filled landscape work against them. Thus their decision to emigrate to America. Based on the novel by Vilhelm Moberg and directed by Jan Troell (ZANDY'S BRIDE). A genuine epic (over three hours plus intermission), it received five Oscar nominations. It avoids the sentimentality that English language films often indulge in when telling stories of immigrants. Their life in Sweden is brutal and their sea voyage is brutal although the film's last shot is one of optimism. Overall, it's an evocative and surging movie that slowly but surely pulls you in until you're committed to these characters' story. The second half of the tale (A NEW LAND) came the following year. With Eddie Axberg, Allan Edwall, Ake Fridell and Monica Zetterlund.