Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Way Back

Play trailer Poster for The Way Back PG-13 2011 2h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 137 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.

Where to Watch

The Way Back

The Way Back

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/30/2018
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. Go to Full Review Jennie Yabroff Newsweek 02/08/2018
... a placid, almost pleasant film, so reluctant to offend that it fails to engage. Go to Full Review Joe Neumaier New York Daily News 04/12/2016
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Michael Leader Den of Geek 05/07/2024
2/5
At 4,000 miles covered, The Way Back is a good sight longer than a Wainwright walk, and it's certainly more exhausting. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 08/03/2023
2/4
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. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/09/2022
A grand spectacle. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Scott M @RT75128960 Apr 14 The dialog felt fake. I didn't believe the actors were in peril at anytime they were on screen. Felt like they were waiting to eat craft services just behind the camera. I like Ed Harris but his talents are wasted here. See more SICKS6SIX S @sicks6six Oct 18 I never realised being a P.O.W. in minus 40 could be so pleasant, the stories I've read of canabalism and killing each other for a loaf of bread or a pack of cigarettes didn't seem to reach the American script rwiters in Hollyweird, The Gulag Archipelagoby Solzhenitsyng should be esential reading for anyone attempting to write on this subject, not a day out in Canada skying with chums from the Hylton hotel, OK that was below the belt, See more Sebreena S @RT55611029 Sep 14 Ed and Jim were the real backbone of this movie. Held my attention to the end - which was truly loveable👍 See more HameZz O @HameZz Aug 1 I understand that it's about a long journey but this still felt a bit too long. Still well made. See more Alain E @AlainE 03/05/2025 If you want to see western actors impersonating prisoners in Siberia, this is the movie for you. Otherwise, a complete waste of excellent thespians like Farrell, Harris and Ronan. See more 07/21/2023 Too boring. Great views though. See more Read all reviews
The Way Back

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Peter Weir

Director

Jim Sturgess

Janusz

Ed Harris

Mr. Smith

Colin Farrell

Valka

Saoirse Ronan

Irina

Mark Strong

Khabarov

More Like This

View All
A Better Life 86% 79% A Better Life Watchlist The Beaver 62% 55% The Beaver Watchlist Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps 54% 44% Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Watchlist Hereafter 48% 38% Hereafter Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
O.J.: Made in America and Community Now Streaming on Hulu Now Streaming: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Sacrament, and More Critics Consensus: No Strings Attached Is A Little Frayed
View All

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
Joni Levin, Duncan Henderson, Nigel Sinclair
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