'

On the Way to School

Play trailer

On the Way to School

Released Feb 6, 2015

1h 17m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Though aimed at children, this 2013 French documentary is the sort of direct, expressive, and compassionate filmmaking that can be appreciated by anyone.

May 22, 2015

Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Los Angeles Times

Dispensing with any heated rhetoric about the sorry state of education, director Pascal Plisson instead allows this quartet of beautifully photographed incredible journeys speak inspirational volumes.

Mar 5, 2015

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

The swelling score gives the sense of an inspirational children's movie. True to that form, "On the Way to School" never wavers in its bland uplift.

Feb 5, 2015

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A documentary showing the challenges faced by children on three continents in pursuit of education.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 26, 2017

Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Stirring docu explores school journeys around the globe.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 22, 2016

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

Heartfelt, but a squandered opportunity to insightfully tackle an important human rights issue.

Rated: 5.75/10

Feb 6, 2015

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

This is an excellent movie, giving a visual perspective of what some children must endure just to get an education. As an elementary teacher, I have shown this film from second grade through 4th or 5th and each time, students are simply amazed and enthralled! I showed it to my own children and husband alike, and again, even as an older audience, they were captivated. I'm not sure why the critics gave this movie such a low rating, but the audience rating is right on target--if not even a bit lower than derserved. I'd give it 95+. This is an excellent movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Perfect movie to show kids in middle and high school what other kids go through to get to school. Not sure why it's on Rotten Tomatoes. Well made, sweet, touching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

IT was an interesting movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Required viewing for EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN. Period.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen if not the best.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Amazing movie and very impactful. Plisson was able to make the audience feel the exhausting journey some children are forced to take everyday in order to receive a form of education. It makes you feel very grateful and inspired to do something about it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Pascal Plisson

Director

Jackson Saikong

Self

Salome Saikong

Self

Samuel J. Esther

Self

Gabriel J. Esther

Self

Emmanuel J. Esther

Self

Algorithms

77%

57%

Algorithms

Watchlist

One Day on Earth

38%

62%

One Day on Earth

Watchlist

Magic Camp

100%

75%

Magic Camp

Watchlist

A Place at the Table

90%

73%

A Place at the Table

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Four students from different parts of the world travel long distances to attend school.

Director: Pascal Plisson
Producer: Barthelemy Fougea
Screenwriter: Marie-Claire Javoy, Pascal Plisson
Distributor: Distrib Films
Production Co: Winds, Herodiade, Ymagis
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 6, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 27, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.3K
Runtime: 1h 17m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now