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The Way Back

Play trailer Poster for The Way Back PG-13 Released Jan 21, 2011 2h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 138 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Denounced by his wife as a possible spy in 1939, Janusz (Jim Sturgess) finds himself in a remote Siberian labor camp. Faced with brutal conditions inside and out, Janusz is determined to escape. A blizzard provides him with the perfect opportunity, and he and a small group of fellow prisoners make a break for it. Escape, however, is the easy part, for Janusz and his companions face a 4,000 mile trek on foot through the frozen Himalayas before they can truly be free.
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The Way Back

The Way Back

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Critics Consensus

It isn't as emotionally involving as it should be, but this Peter Weir epic offers sweeping ambition and strong performances to go with its grand visual spectacle.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator I had no reason to care. And their spiritual journeys are as predictable as they are pat... It's all voyage at the expense of the voyagers, so lacks any moral power. Aug 30, 2018 Full Review Jennie Yabroff Newsweek ... a placid, almost pleasant film, so reluctant to offend that it fails to engage. Feb 8, 2018 Full Review Joe Neumaier New York Daily News The man-versus-the-natural world story is in Weir's wheelhouse, and Harris and Farrell get into a scene-stealing duel. Worth the trek. Rated: 4/4 Apr 12, 2016 Full Review Michael Leader Den of Geek At 4,000 miles covered, The Way Back is a good sight longer than a Wainwright walk, and it's certainly more exhausting. Rated: 2/5 May 7, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Weir and Clarke seem so swept away by the astounding concept of the story that they forget to attach a dramatic resonance to it, and the personal dramas that do occur […] feel diminutive next to the film’s vistas. Rated: 2/4 Aug 3, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) A grand spectacle. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 9, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John M Very heartbreaking, but good. It has a few slow moments though. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/30/24 Full Review David J Well worth watching.. tremendous effort. These are the movies one occasionally finds, sifting through the chaff. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Too boring. Great views though. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/21/23 Full Review Mateusz C the raw art of the "never give up" Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/14/23 Full Review inTaiwan M Not impressive. Actors are visually too fat for the entire film. Narative is dull and uninspiring. Very few moments are worthy of the time. Once is enough. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/23 Full Review steve d Some good preforamnces but deeply depressing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Way Back

A scene from the film "The Way Back." Saoirse Ronan as Irina in "The Way Back." (Right) Colin Farrell as Valka in "The Way Back." Ed Harris as Mr. Smith in "The Way Back." (L-R) Ed Harris as Mr. Smith and Saoirse Ronan as Irina in "The Way Back." Saoirse Ronan as Irina in "The Way Back." Colin Farrell as Valka in "The Way Back." (L-R) Ed Harris as Mr. Smith and Colin Farrell as Valka in "The Way Back." Jim Sturgess as Janusz in "The Way Back." Saoirse Ronan as Irina in "The Way Back." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Denounced by his wife as a possible spy in 1939, Janusz (Jim Sturgess) finds himself in a remote Siberian labor camp. Faced with brutal conditions inside and out, Janusz is determined to escape. A blizzard provides him with the perfect opportunity, and he and a small group of fellow prisoners make a break for it. Escape, however, is the easy part, for Janusz and his companions face a 4,000 mile trek on foot through the frozen Himalayas before they can truly be free.
Director
Peter Weir
Producer
Peter Weir, Joni Levin, Duncan Henderson, Nigel Sinclair
Screenwriter
Peter Weir, Keith Clarke
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Production Co
Exclusive Films
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|A Nude Image|Depiction of Physical Hardship|Violent Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 17, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.7M
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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