Review of The Way Back (2011) by Dan Y — 19 May 2011

The true story of a group of men who escape from a Soviet gulag in the frozen forests of Siberia. Despite the likelihood of death at the hands of the elements or a Soviet patrol, the desire for freedom was far more great. You feel every step, every mile as you watch these characters slowly make their way through frozen tundra, forests, and an unforgiving desert. The brutality of the Soviets is in full force as they control the region with an iron fist, and if it isn't the Soviets themselves these men have to worry about, it's communism in general as they make their way into neighboring lands only to find that the oppressive system has spread there as well.

Beautifully shot and edited, the real life locations shine on Blu-Ray, probably one of the best looking movies since the LOTR trilogy. The actors are as solid as can be, with heartfelt performances by Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris and some unknowns. Colin Farrell comes of as over doing it a bit as a Russian criminal, however the rest more than makes up for it and Farrell's character isn't with them the entire time.

Topped off with a touching ending, this an epic that deserves viewing.