The Movie
In an incredible-but-true story, a small band of men dare to brave the elements of Siberia, and that's just the beginning of a 4,000-mile trek to freedom. They are all prisoners in a gulag, the brutal, largely unknown work camps built across Russia to house unwanted elements of society. Led by a framed Polish soldier (Jim Sturgess), an innocent American civilian who has lost everything (Ed Harris) and a hardened Russian criminal (Colin Farrell), the handful of men storm the barbed wire and set out on a seemingly suicidal flight.
The plan is to travel south, to the Mongolian border, but these being the early days of World War II, the escapees make a shocking discovery, and their plans change, sending them across the Himalayas into India, still on foot and minimally equipped. The trip is every bit as grueling as anyone can imagine, but their dedication, shared ingenuity and more than a bit of luck keep them going when hope runs out.
Not everyone makes it to the end, and along the way we learn each man's secret intention. The Pole's is the most surprising, and is where the title, The Way Back, comes from. It's yet another twist on a long, challenging road.
The Picture
In what I'm guessing might have been a stylistic choice, most of the first half of the film can be described as dingy, with a soft, dull-colored 2.35:1 image. Seriously, the picture seems to get brighter and crisper once we are out of Russia, where the textures are moiré-prone and blacks are crushed like men's spirits under the iron boot of Communism. The entire movie is tainted by noise and flicker from time to time, as well as occasionally distracting edge enhancement.
The Sound
The Way Back benefits from a big, aggressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that establishes well all of the different geographical locations, from a blizzard-swept forest to a barren desert with the intermittent sandstorm. Dogs might be barking in the distance, and voices, coughs, footsteps and creaks in the rears help to define crowded living spaces. The work camp is also busy, with a touch of bass in tree-felling duty and blasting in the mines.
The Extras
The only real bonus here is a behind-the-scenes program entitled "The Journey of the Journey." It's in standard definition, but with Linear PCM stereo audio, and at 31 minutes it's actually pretty thorough. The only other tidbit is just the trailer, also in SD.
Final Thoughts
A story this amazing needed to be told, and kudos to director/co-writer Peter Weir (Master and Commander) for crafting such an effective tribute to these steadfast men. Too bad the video quality was sometimes almost as unpleasant as their journey.
Product Details
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