The scene is a Swedish island community in the late 19th century. Katrina (Marta Ekstrom) is the wife of seaman John (Frank Sundstrom). When John falls ill, it is up to Katrina to keep her home and family together. With no money and practically no resources, Katrina's climb is forever uphill, but she manages to weather several long years of disappointment and deprivation. Playing the sort of role that Barbara Stanwyck made her own in Hollywood, Marta Ekstrom is nothing short of brilliant. Director Gustav Edgren adapted his screenplay from a popular novel by Sally Salminen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi