If you like prison-break movies, “The Way Back” makes “The Great Escape” look like a walk in the park.
No offense to “The Great Escape,” a classic of heroism and perseverance that I’ve recommended here before. But that World War II-era staple focuses as much on the mechanics of tunnel digging and guard distraction as it does on what a prisoner does once he gets outside the fence.
“The Way Back” is less about the escape than about the journey that must follow. Especially when you’re escaping from the heart of Siberia with a multinational crew that has no natural home. Even distant Mongolia isn’t safe, with its submission to communist dominance during the war. So it’s an extended march through the horrific Gobi Desert and on to India.
You’ll want a bottle of water by your side. The makeup artists don’t spare the parched lips and peeling faces. This film is for teenagers, not tots, who may refuse to walk across the street once they’ve seen what a forced march can do to the human body and spirit.
The leader is Janusz, who was sentenced to the Gulag for made-up thought crimes in WWII Poland. His wife is tortured into denouncing him — the torture is not seen — and he’s prepared to spend the rest of his life finding her and showing that he’s forgiven her.
Jim Sturgess plays the optimistic Janusz, joined by stoic Ed Harris and a feral Colin Farrell. Their mutual distrust and disdain is not the instant camaraderie of “The Great Escape,” nor should it be — the Gulag bred even more suspicion than a German prison camp.
The inspirations for “The Way Back” have been debunked in some circles — no one really knows if Siberian prisoners walked south to freedom during the war. But the great director Peter Weir (“The Truman Show,” “Gallipoli”) makes it seem possible.
“The Way Back”
Rated: PG-13 for harsh treatment and suffering, mature content
Best suited for: Families who love epic journeys and tales of human survival
