I am very surprised that this movie was ever made. After all, the world has seldom really talked about Soviet gulags and it's not like this is a fun or cinematic topic. In addition, it took a lot of trouble to create the sets and film in places such as Bulgaria, Mongolia and India.

The story begins in 1940 in a prison camp in Siberia. The purpose of the camp is to essentially work the prisoners to death and hundreds of them were spread throughout the old Soviet Union. Knowing that they won't survive for long, a small group of prisoners plan an escape. The problem is that such an escape seems impossible, as it is many thousands of miles to freedom....through Siberia and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia AND the Himalayas to freedom in India.

This story is based on a book by a person who claims to have done such an escape. However, the voracity of this account is highly questionable and so the film does not purport to be any one person's tale but a fictionalization of what could have occurred.

The story is very slow and methodical but it also is never dull. I credit that with an excellent script as well as direction by Peter Weir. As for the acting, it was exceptional as well...gritty, realistic and tough. Overall, a rather amazing movie...well worth seeing and important because it brings to light the evil of the Soviet gulag system.

THE WAY BACK is a highly effective survival drama that tells the true story of a group of Siberian prison escapees who undertake an incredibly arduous trip to India after deciding to travel there by foot. The first half an hour of the movie sets up the prison camp scenario while the rest of it charts the almost impossible journey. Of course, much of the suspense arises from seeing as to whether any of the characters will actually make it.

This film has the edge over something like THE GREY purely because it's more realistic. The characters are at the mercy of the elements and the story becomes a battle between humanity and nature. There's an epic, almost LAWRENCE OF ARABIA style feel to the movie at times. There's also a gritty edge to the proceedings which makes it feel very non-Hollywood, and the performances add to that. Colin Farrell is probably the best he's ever been as a rough Russian gambler while Ed Harris is almost unrecognisable as an elder member of the group. Newcomer Jim Sturgess is sympathetic as the erstwhile leader, and there's an oddly touching minor role for Mark Strong, who reminds you how good he can be when he's not typecast as a villain.

A group of gulag prisoners escape from Siberia and walk all the way to India. Janusz (Jim Sturgess) is a Polish prisoner. Valka (Colin Farrell) has a criminal past. Mr Smith (Ed Harris) is an American. Irena (Saoirse Ronan) is a girl they pick up along the way.

There is an allusion to a true story of 3 prisoners emerging in India. That story is questionable, but more importantly, it distracts from the movie. The reality of the movie becomes a constant nagging question. It is probably better to just let the story be completely fictional. Irena is probably the hardest to believe. She's an obvious device to add drama.

The best performance may be Colin Farrell. The accent can be excused. It's his intensity that stands out. And Jim Sturgess is compelling. All the acting is superb.