The Way Back
Newmarket Films | Release Date: January 21, 2011
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 108 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
81
Mixed:
21
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
mittalraman01Jan 23, 2011
Movie was pretty entertaining and involving. There is no proof of the story being a fact and true history. Peter Weir has done a great job in this regard.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
quillberJan 3, 2011
gruelling true life prison escape and ensuing journey. i found saoirse ronan's performance particularly touching. beautiful, moving, in parts humorous snapshot of 1940's wartime madness.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
heyitsmegrif4Dec 23, 2011
It features incredible performances from Colin Farrel, Saoirse Ronan and Jim Sturgess. And it is backed up by a mighty storyline even though the way it is told is a bit boring. I give this movie 66%.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
KarthXLRJan 22, 2011
It's a prison escape film with all the interesting characters removed to make way for the grand visuals and experience of traveling 4000 miles. Very entertaining, but not perfect in the slightest.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
mrcriticJan 22, 2011
This prison escape is grueling, touching, and at times humorous. From Siberia to India, this true life prison escape is wonderful. Colin Farrell actually did great in this film, for the time he's in it. Overall, this movie is great for anybody.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
pandateddybearApr 23, 2011
Really enjoyed it.. Great adventure and very entertaining great performance by great actors. Great pictures and bluray version looks great! highly recommended!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
ManasWWMNov 21, 2013
Everything in this movie is just PERFECT.It is very difficult to find a good movie based on survival and this one is in the top 3 so far as per me.The characters are outstanding,the cinematography is at its best,locations were excellent.ThereEverything in this movie is just PERFECT.It is very difficult to find a good movie based on survival and this one is in the top 3 so far as per me.The characters are outstanding,the cinematography is at its best,locations were excellent.There is not a single flaw that I can point out.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
Falling_HammerJul 8, 2011
What would you do to survive? Would you become an animal that will do anything to survive or would there still be some humanity left in you? Would you rely on good will of other people or would you just look after yourself? Would you beWhat would you do to survive? Would you become an animal that will do anything to survive or would there still be some humanity left in you? Would you rely on good will of other people or would you just look after yourself? Would you be ruthless, merciless, without any sympathy to other beings or would you show mercy, offer shelter, give food even if you know that it will lead to your death? This is a film that brings out these questions and let's you answer them for yourself. A gripping film with good acting and in my opinion one of better film that have came out this year.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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10
Patrick94Jan 26, 2014
This is one of those movies that I will remember forever. A true story about a group of people that escape a Siberian prison camp in 1941 and walk 4000 miles to freedom in India. The locations are beautiful, the acting was brilliantThis is one of those movies that I will remember forever. A true story about a group of people that escape a Siberian prison camp in 1941 and walk 4000 miles to freedom in India. The locations are beautiful, the acting was brilliant (particularly from Collin Farrel with his crazy Russian murderer character), the comedy is hilarious when it's there and the story is awe-inspiring. I can tell you now that I appreciate the life I have a lot more after seeing what these men (and one girl) had to go through. This is definitely the best survival/adventure movie I have ever seen, and as of now one of at least my top 5 favorite movies of all time. The way the director portrayed two death scenes in particular was... this may sound strange, but, beautiful. That final scene right at the end almost had me in tears.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
Andys_ReviewsAug 31, 2012
There is a bit of a spoiler at the beginning of the film where the audience is told how many make it to India which does take a little of the impact away from the film. You find yourself wondering just when various cast members might eitherThere is a bit of a spoiler at the beginning of the film where the audience is told how many make it to India which does take a little of the impact away from the film. You find yourself wondering just when various cast members might either meet their demise or decide to take another path. It… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
TVJerryJan 22, 2011
Even though it might appear that this really happened, there's no proof that it did. Either way, it's an amazing story of a group of men who escaped from a gulag in 40s Siberia and WALKED all the way to India. Needless to say, their journeyEven though it might appear that this really happened, there's no proof that it did. Either way, it's an amazing story of a group of men who escaped from a gulag in 40s Siberia and WALKED all the way to India. Needless to say, their journey is filled with hardships, danger and death. Director Peter Weir has crafted a film that's thoroughly involving without grabbing the emotions.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
BhawkMay 1, 2011
Harrowing story, sensational cinematography, and engaging acting, all under Peter Weirs' watchful eye. My only complaint is that it is excessively long, but that is such a trivial comment to make when compared to the months that turned intoHarrowing story, sensational cinematography, and engaging acting, all under Peter Weirs' watchful eye. My only complaint is that it is excessively long, but that is such a trivial comment to make when compared to the months that turned into years that these brave souls endured to escape from Siberia and WALK over 4,000 miles to safety (including crossing the Himalayas) to freedom in India.Well worth one viewing, but doubtful that anyone would seriously want to see it a second time, due to the length.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
shimano6000Jul 16, 2011
This is a great movie and worth watching. It is engaging from the beginning, and captures the tragic times around which it is built. Great acting and left me asking questions about what I would do, and if I could. Worth watching again.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
jtfoixSep 11, 2011
This film is not a masterpiece but is really human, captivating, and emotional. It has a really strong performances, and is really beautiful visually. Totally enjoyable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
HomeReviewerMay 17, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The interrogation scenes at the beginning of the movie are crucial to the understanding of several of the escapees' mindset later on. If you miss the first few minutes, you will not be able to appreciate the full struggle of the main players. If you like the movie "The Great Escape, keep in mind "The Way Back" is nothing at all like it. In Siberia, the guards and the army don't bother to run after the escapees, nature is expected to ensure their demise. A terrific cast was entrusted with a script that has enough meat in it to satisfy the most difficult character actors. This was an ensemble performance by default. As the tagline says, the escape from the gulag was just the beginning. Tough terrain, harsh, very harsh weather, etc., etc., and when they reached the border, crossing out of Russia, they find they are faced with the same damn communist system in neighbouring countries, the system they ran away from back in the gulag. The actors don't curse but you will feel like cursing for them. As you can expect, the cinematography is an important part of the movie as it must convey the journey's difficulties. In other words, the more beautiful the scenery is, the tougher the challenge. The special effects that turn the escapees into living corpses were well done. Conspicuously, nothing sexual happens to the character of Saoirse Ronan; when you consider the circumstances, it is a miracle or a matter the writer or director could not come to terms with. I suspect the latter. This movie was the surprise drama of the year so far for me. No popcorn and coke with this movie; this is a coffee movie, if you get my drift.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
worleyjamersDec 8, 2012
One of the those 2010 films that came out really early in the next year. A lot of people missed it for that reason, but it's a really great film. Well done, beautiful locations. One of the most underrated films of 2010.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
lkalibaMay 30, 2014
It doesn't have enough emotional depth despite it's subject matter, but this film offers a grand visual spectacle and sweeping ambition that creates an amazing story.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
FilmQueenOct 22, 2015
This is a good story about survival with excellent performances. I don't know how much of the story is actually true, but it doesn't really matter to me.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
turtles1234Jul 25, 2020
this movie tells a super interesting story in a beautifull way. only problem for me, too short!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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