Everyone loves a prison break movie and I am no exception. In fact, one of my favorite films is “The Great Escape,” the classic Steve McQueen film, which also featured an all star-cast that included James Garner, Charles Bronson and James Coburn. Director Peter Weir’s latest film holds many similarities to the McQueen classic, while at the same time telling a fresh and original story that is just as powerful now as it was when it actually happened. Weir, who is best known for his work on now classic films like “Witness,” “Dead Poets Society,” “The Truman Show” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World,” is right at home here telling the simple story of human survival. The cinematography is gorgeous and the director has taken full advantage of the glorious yet dangerous countryside. The film was shot in parts of Bulgaria and Morocco, which substitute for the former Soviet Union.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
The cast is excellent, led by young actor Jim Sturgess, who is best known for his work in “21” and “Across the Universe.” But it is Sturgess’ supporting cast that really makes him look good with excellent performances from four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris, “Sherlock Holmes” and “Kick-Ass” breakout star Mark Strong and the always surprising Collin Farrell, who gives one of his best performances to date. In fact, Farrell is absolutely fascinating in the film even in his limited supporting role. The actor, who first broke on to the scene almost a decade ago and was thought to be “the next big thing,” has had a bumpy road to success, partly because of his own off camera persona. But in recent years Farrell has made a real comeback or sorts taking smaller, supporting roles in a handful of excellent films including “In Bruges,” “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus,” “Crazy Heart” and now this. Here he shines in his role as a tough Russian criminal.
In this film, rather than “The Great Escape” where Nazis are the ultimate bad guys, our heroes have been captured by Stalin and sent to a Siberian prison camp in 1942 during the final years of World War II. The film begins by showing us the inquisition of a young polish man named Janusz (Sturgess), who has been accused of spying for the enemy. While Janusz denies these allegations he is confused by the Russian’s key witness, his wife, who has clearly been manipulated and her damaging testimony against him seals his fate. Janusz is sent to the Siberian prison, which holds not only Polish inmates but Russian criminals and even an American prisoner as well. The inmates, for the most part, roam free at the prison with only a few guards and barbwire blocking their escape. But this is due to the harsh Siberian winter, which is upon them and even if someone was to escape, they would surly freeze to death before they made it to freedom.
Upon arrival, Janusz quickly becomes accustom to his surroundings and meets Khabarov (Strong), a fellow inmate who has been incarcerated there for several years. Khabarov begins to tell Janusz of a way to escape that he has been planning for sometime. If they can save enough food, and ration it, then it is possible for a small group to make it out of the camp and follow a river, that is at least a four to five day walk away, to India and their own freedom. But when the silent and smart Mr. Smith (Harris), the lone American inmate, befriends Janusz he tells him the truth about Khabarov. That he is a coward, full of talk, with no intentions of acting out his plans, who only wishes to fill new inmates with hope in order to give himself some. Smith convinces Janusz that escape is futile. But when the men are sent to the dark and dirty coalmines to work, with no proper equipment to help them breath, Smith soon realizes that they have a choice, try to escape and risk death or die for sure in the mines.
Smith and Janusz convince Khabarov to enact his plan, no matter how ill conceived it might be. But before the men escape, a tough Russian criminal named Valka (Farrell), who may or may not be trustworthy, discovers their plans and forces his way on to the team. The men escape the prison and begin their difficult journey across the vast countryside. Along the way, they meet an orphaned Polish girl with a few secrets of her own, named Irena (Saoirse Ronan) and allow her to join them on their trail to freedom. Together the former-inmates and the young girl form a bond and must help each other to survive, if they are going to make it to India and freedom alive. Based on a true story, director Weir, who also co-wrote the screenplay, creates a breathtaking story of the human spirit, which also makes for an exciting and thrilling film. The performances are excellent, especially Harris and Farrell who have strong supporting roles. Also worth noting is the intricate style of the film and the beautiful post-production work done by editor Lee Smith (“The Dark Knight”). In the end, The Way Back is a moving thrill ride that captures the true meaning of the human spirit and is perfect for any fan of “The Great Escape” or the prison break genre in general.
