• The Way Back (2011)

    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...

The Way Back
66
metacriticBased on 33 Critics
72
Based on 104 Users

Release Date: January 21st, 2011

DVD Release Date: April 19th, 2011

PG-13 |2 hr 13 min

Plot Summary

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.

Cast: Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Strong, Gustaf Skarsgård, Alexandru Potocean, Sebastian Urzendowsky

Director: Peter Weir

Genres: Drama

Production Co: Exclusive Films

Keywords: 1930s, Quest, Emotional, Escape, Engaging, Soldier, Wife

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Cast & Crew

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 88
    Peter TraversRolling Stone

    The director, 66, brings his passion for precision to every frame of the film, refusing to hype or Hollywoodize the detailed richness of the story. show more

  • 70
    Movieline

    Weir's artisan's sureness grants a bewitching calm - his trademark ambience - to this harrowing tale. show more

  • 80
    Stephen FarberThe Hollywood Reporter

    Beyond its visual splendors, however, the film achieves searing moral power. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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Awards

Nominated Makeup
Oscars Academy Awards (2010)