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The Way Back

Play trailer Poster for The Way Back PG-13 2011 2h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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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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SICKS6SIX S 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, Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/18/25 Full Review Sebreena S Ed and Jim were the real backbone of this movie. Held my attention to the end - which was truly loveable👍 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/14/25 Full Review HameZz O I understand that it's about a long journey but this still felt a bit too long. Still well made. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/01/25 Full Review Alain E 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. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/05/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Way Back

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Weir

Director

Jim Sturgess

Janusz

Ed Harris

Mr. Smith

Colin Farrell

Valka

Saoirse Ronan

Irina

Mark Strong

Khabarov

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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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