In Depression-era Sweden, teenager Olof Persson (Eddie Axberg) is forced by economic necessity to leave school and home for a laborer's existence. The individuals and influences that shaped him as he grew to young manhood are compellingly limned in Jan Troell's epic debut feature, adapted from Eyvind Johnson's semi-autobiographical novels. Max Von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Per Oscarsson, Ulla Sjöblom also star. 166 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Swedish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; featurettes; bonus short "Interlude in Marshland" (1965). In Swedish with English subtitles. Two-disc set.