When filming the scene towards the end, where Karl Oskar walks off to find a better place for his settlement, director Jan Troell forgot to yell, "Cut." Max von Sydow just kept walking and walking, waiting for a "cut", and nobody realized until they took lunch.
The movie and its sequel Le nouveau monde (1972) were Oscar nominated on the same year (1972), though in different categories. This is the first and only occurrence of such event.
Stanley Kubrick was a deep admirer of the film, and tried to call director Jan Troell to discuss the film. Troell thought it was a prank call and hung up, which commonly happened when the American director called others on the phone. Kubrick particularly loved the costumes, and went on to hire Ulla-Britt Söderlund to work with Milena Canonero on the 18th century costumes for Barry Lyndon (1975).
The actresses playing Ulrika and Elin, Ulrika's daughter, were also mother and daughter in real life.
The first movie to be nominated for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, and not win either award.