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Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan

Directed by six-time Academy Award (R) nominee Peter Weir, THE WAY BACK is an epic story of survival, solidarity and indomitable human will. Shot in Bulgaria, Morocco and India, the film stars Jim Stu... read more read more...rgess (Across the Universe, The Other Boleyn Girl), Ed Harris (Appaloosa) and Colin Farrell (In Bruges) as prisoners of a Soviet Union labor camp, who, along with four others, flee their Siberian Gulag and begin a treacherous journey across thousands of miles of hostile terrain. Academy Award (R) nominee Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, The Lovely Bones) and Mark Strong (Body of Lies, RocknRolla) co-star. Written by Weir and Keith Clarke, the film is Peter's first since 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. It is inspired by the acclaimed book The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom, as well as first-person accounts and anecdotes as told to, and researched by Weir and executive producer Clarke. Produced by Joni Levin, Peter Weir, Duncan Henderson (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) and Nigel Sinclair (Terminator 3: Salvation), THE WAY BACK is an Exclusive Media Group, National Geographic Entertainment and ImageNation Abu Dhabi presentation and an Exclusive Films production. Keith Clarke, John Ptak, Guy East, Simon Oakes, Tobin Armbrust, Jake Eberts, Edward Borgerding, Mohamed Khalaf, Adam Leipzig, Scott Rudin and Jonathan Schwartz are Executive Producers. The film's Co-Producer is Roee Sharon Peled and Co-Executive Producer is Alex Brunner. Weir has assembled an accomplished group of filmmakers with whom he has previously collaborated, including Academy Award (R) winning Director of Photography Russell Boyd (Master and Commander, The Year of Living Dangerously, Gallipoli), Film Editor Lee Smith (Master and Commander, as well as The Dark Knight, for which he received an Academy Award (R) nomination), Production Designer John Stoddart (Fearless, The Mosquito Coast) and Costume Designer Wendy Stites, Oscar (R) nominated for Master and Commander and with credits on nine Weir films. -- (C) New Market Films

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70% liked it

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122 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 13 min.

Directed by: Peter Weir

Release Date: January 21, 2011

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (1,928)

  • jamers2011
    November 20, 2011
    jamers2011
    Great film. Well done...
  • CrookedlittleB33
    October 14, 2011
    CrookedlittleB33
    Just, incredible.
  • kenstachnik
    August 26, 2011
    kenstachnik
    The most incredible story of walking ever told. Makes the LOTR's seem like a stroll in the park. I mean those guys were well rested, had plenty of supplies, maps, a Wizard, Elven healing, magic items and were fictional.

    These guys escaped from a Russian concentration camp, afte... read morer a year of grueling labor, with just a little bit of bread (regular, not the magically filling lembas variety), a knife and an general assumption of where they might be, and how they might get there. That and these guys actually did this.

    They walked 4000 miles starting in one of the remotest place in Siberia and finished their journey by crossing the Himalaya's, on foot. I'm never complaining about walking anywhere ever again.

    Oh and before you get all angry panda that I spoiled the ending, they tell you that some people escaped in the opening seconds of the movie. They just don't tell you who survives (and neither will I).
  • cosmo313
    August 21, 2011
    cosmo313
    Ever since I first heard about this movie, I became very interested, and really wanted to see it. I had some very high expectations. Unfortunately my expectations were not totally met, and this film isn't quite as amazing as I hoped it would be, but damn, it's still really good, ... read moreand some impressive filmmaking.

    The story is alleged to be based on real events, but this has been disputed, and it has been revelaed that the film's events are essentially fiction. Even though it sucks that this isn't really true, it's still a really compelling story, which is that of a group who escape a Siberian gulag prison camp in 1940 and make their way (by foot) all the way to India 4,00 mailes away, as they see it as the best place to escape to (though not initially so).

    In essence, this is just a classic survival story that pushes the man versus nature trope to the max. These characters go through all sorts of hell across all kinds of unforgiving terrain. The film is a little underwhelming in the sense that it's a little emotionally vacant, the characters aren't developed as much as they could be, and there's no real deep conflict at hand besides survivng the elements. While that's all a little disappointing considering that it means the film is 133 minutes (with almost all of it being the characters walking), it's extremely well done, and it looks gorgeous.

    Technically speaking, this is a very superb film. The cinematography is top notch, and Weir and his DP know where to set the lens and frma stuff just right. The makeup effects are also quite excellent, showing in detail the effects of sunstroke, extreme dehydration, hordes of mosquitos, and, let's not forget, the effects of freezing cold. Even though I did mention the lack of real conflict, the performances of the multicultural cast (playing multicultural characters) are all pretty good. Sturgess and Harris were good, but my favorites were the two performers representing Ireland: Ronan and Farrell.

    Since this is a survival story, one thing I liked and appreciated were some of the cool details about how the characters survived, such as the cool snow masks they make out of bark, and their sheer will to plow on despite increasingly ragged clothing.

    This film marked the end of a 12 year absence of Peter Weir, with his most recent film before this being Master and Commander. Though this isn't a masterpiece, it's good to see him make a return, and even better to see that he hasn't totally lost his touchc. Hopefully he won't let so much time pass between this and his next one, because God only knows that no one can make a film quite like him.
  • thmtsang
    August 20, 2011
    thmtsang
    Based on a true story. Prisoners of war escape a inhumane Soviet Union camp to trek through harsh winter snow to scorching desert heat and sand storms. Slow moving but pictureque.
  • LWOODS04
    August 6, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Strong, Dragos Bucur, Gustaf Skarsgård, Sebastian Urzendowsky, Alexandru Potocean

    Director: Peter Weir

    Summary: After narrowly escaping from a wretched World War II Siberian labor camp, a small band of mult... read moreinational soldiers desperately undertakes a harrowing journey to traverse Siberia, the Gobi Desert and the Himalayas on foot.

    My Thoughts: "A beautifully shot movie about a journey to freedom. The actors are really good in the film. As they travel you get to know them a bit and root for them all even knowing some will not survive. The obstacles they had to over come on their journey is admirable. If not for their strong will to survive, I think most would have turned and went back or given up and died. The chemistry between the character's seems so natural. They truly care for one another and refuse to leave anyone behind. It's a beautifully done film of inspiring character's. Their survival of their journey was truly a miracle and I'm in awe of their strength and will. The film should be seen."
  • SirPant
    July 27, 2011
    SirPant
    I think The Way Back is a return to form for Peter Weir. It's an amazing story of human strength that many directors could have done as good a job with but many have reacted negatively to Weir's adaptation. Basically Steven Spielberg could have made it with a mega budget, horribl... read moree actors, bad script and it would probably have made more money. I would suggest that in his avoidance of cliches and concentration of only the important parts of the story that has lead people to this conclusion. I think he has done a remarkable job, there are countless films about journeys and escape but this one felt fresh with never a dull moment and without resorting to unnecessary action sequences etc. The script and acting was perfect, the character development was good as you'd expect from Weir and the scenery was beautifully shot. I'm not sure how a film like this avoids the praise it deserves and other less achieved films get all the hype. Another feather in the cap of a great director.
  • fb100001048934982
    July 12, 2011
    fb100001048934982
    Peter Weir's 'The Way Back' is an occasionally gripping film that only flounders under its long run time and its characters' unoriginal plight. The acting, however, is brilliant. Everyone gives very strong and entertaining performances, especially an enthralling Colin Farrell. Th... read moree film also fails to invest its audience emotionally, with character deaths that are not as gut-wrenching as they should be. Still, 'The Way Back' seems to have a good head on its shoulders, and comes very close to accomplishing what it tried to.
  • MrMarakai
    June 20, 2011
    MrMarakai
    An epic human endeavour film was a great chance for director Peter Weir to gain back some respect after the disappointing dud "Master and Commander". It's a chance that Weir has passed up though, as this is just as much of a letdown as his last outing behind the camera.
    In 194... read more0, seven prisoners escape from the confines of a Russian gulag in Siberia, and set out on a gruelling, 4,500-mile trek across some of the world's harshest terrain, with little food and few supplies. Their efforts are almost certainly doomed, yet they would rather die as free men than Stalin's prisoners.
    With "Master and Commander" Peter Weir last helmed the camera in the water. With this, he is very much on dry land but unfortunately his results are much the same. This is a real bore-fest. What we get are lots of weather beaten skin and ground beaten feet. The occasional bout of starvation is thrown in and that's pretty much the jist of the whole film. But ultimately, we the audience, are starved of anything that resembles substance. Fortunately we get a few crumbs tossed our way with some gorgeous scenery by cinematographer Russell Boyd. There's no doubt that this looks fantastic but it's not enough. Not nearly enough. The film is as long and arduos as the supposed journey. The characters are interesting, most notably Colin Farrell's thief Valka, but he leaves the film far too soon and the likes of Ed Harris and especially Saoirse Ronan have very little to do. There's no faulting the performances, the actors do what they can with the limited material which is flimsy and seriously underwritten. In fact, it was exposed as being based on a complete lie and not the true adventure it had been labeled as. Not a good start...not a good middle and not a good end either. The only thing it had in it's favour was the wonderful scenery, but then again, with a film that is backed by National Geographic, you expect that certain standard.
    A real disapointment from director Peter Weir. I have come to expect more from him. It will appeal as a travelogue maybe, but as a form of entertainment, it has about as much appeal as looking at someone else's holiday snaps.
  • fernandorafael
    June 14, 2011
    fernandorafael
    Peter Weir's latest film tells the man-against-the-elements story of a group of prisoners who walk 4000 miles to India after escaping a Siberian gulag, facing harsh weather. Harsh is probably an understatement. Freezing cold, searing heat, snowstorms, sandstorms, bugs; the effect... read mores of these conditions are showcased masterfully with the Oscar-nominated makeup by Edouard Henriques, Greg Funk and Yolanda Toussieng. The cinematography is also remarkable. Spectacular wide shots of the snow-covered Russian landscape, or the sandy, hot-as-hell Gobi Desert show that the journey was definitely not an easy task. Despite the tragic circumstances (and the appealing imagery), The Way Back is mostly uneventful and never really involving. The cast is underwhelming, and their accents dodgy. At times, that last thing doesn't matter. Jim Sturgess speaks with his eyes, for example. On the other hand, usually stellar Colin Farrell is laughably bad. Saoirse Ronan is the best among a predominantly male cast. And I don't know what it is about Ed Harris, but he never impresses me. I know he's a good actor; he's just never blown me away. At 133 minutes, the film is very, very long, yet some sequences still feel rushed.

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Critic Reviews

Rafer Guzman
February 18, 2011
Rafer Guzman, Newsday

Weir has always loved atmospheric locales and group dynamics, and here he makes the most of both Full Review

Eric D. Snider
February 3, 2011
Eric D. Snider, Film.com

Eventually the film itself is something of an endurance test, and not as rewarding as it hopes to be. But it's a worthy venture, earnest and well-produced and occasionally gripping. Full Review

Anthony Lane
January 31, 2011
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

The abiding sensation, at the end, is one not of fulfillment but of exhaustion. Full Review

Christy Lemire
January 28, 2011
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

The Way Back represents an exquisite example of style over substance, of vast visuals dwarfing the characters and nearly swallowing the story whole. Full Review

Peter Rainer
January 22, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

The result is a film that seems simultaneously grand and skimpy. For all its faults, it's an honorable effort, though. I hope Weir doesn't wait seven more years for his next film. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
January 22, 2011
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

There's little human conflict; Sturgess never doubts himself, and the men mostly get along; even Farrell's gangster is on best behavior. Full Review

Rick Groen
January 21, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The Way Back is fascinating until it becomes an ordeal. Full Review

Mary F. Pols
January 21, 2011
Mary F. Pols, TIME Magazine

The overall metaphor Weir was aiming for - this idea of enemies so powerful and a war so menacing and confusingly big that no place seems safe except a place absurdly far away - comes through clearly ... Full Review

Kyle Smith
January 21, 2011
Kyle Smith, New York Post

The film largely misses its opportunities to reflect the enormity of communism, choosing instead the route of a conventional adventure yarn. Full Review

Dan Kois
January 21, 2011
Dan Kois, Washington Post

Weir's movie is superbly made, but its fancy-dancing around history gives a hint of inauthenticity to a film that otherwise thrives on its reverence for historical detail. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Valka: You say too many prayers for an innocent man.
    • Janusz: A free man died here today.
    • Valka: Still, one less mouth to feed... What?
    • Valka: Don't you know what 'Stalin' means, funny man? Means man-of-steel.
    • Valka: We're lost.
    • Mr. Smith: If your thinkin' about makin a run for it....I'm with ya.
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The Way Back Trivia

  • Which movie did Hillary Duff play in that in the movie her brother got killed on the way back from a concert?  Answer »
  • In what 1985 movie is this quote said? Marty McFly: Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean? Dr. Emmett Brown: The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?  Answer »
  • WHY IS DANIELLE CARRYING THE PRINCE ON THE WAY BACK TO THE CASTLE?  Answer »
  • In Music and Lyrics, what is the title of the song Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant write together?  Answer »
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