Review of The Way Back (2011) by Alejandro L — 05 Sep 2013
2.0/4.0.
An overlong prison escape story that centers on the supposedly true tale of a group of seven prisoners who escape from the Siberian Gulag prison during WWII and journey 4,000 miles to India. The group includes Polish POW Janusz Wieszczek (Jim Sturgess) who is convicted as a spy after a forced statement from his own wife, American Mr. Smith (Ed Harris) and Russian Valka (Colin Farrell). On the way, they are accompanied by an orphaned Polish girl (Saoirse Ronan). The performances are good but the thick accents grow tiresome after some time. Also, the other four prisoners are very under-developed and not memorable. Breaks no ground apart from great locales, which is especially disappointing given that it is helmed by Peter Weir ("Dead Poets Society", "The Truman Show", "Master and Commander"). Adapted by Weir and Keith Clarke from the 1955 book "The Long Walk" by Polish POW Slawomir Rawicz (who claims to be one of the escapees but some historical accounts negate that). Nominated for 1 Oscar: Makeup.
This review of The Way Back (2011) was written by Alejandro L on 05 Sep 2013.
The Way Back has generally received positive reviews.
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