A compelling movie inspired by a true story about seven prisoners who escape from a Russian prison camp "gulag" and their 4000 mile trek. Exposes conditions of Russian prison camps that imprisoned millions to work in horrific conditions.

An obituary in "The Vancouver Sun" in August 2007 noted that the Polish child Bogdan C. "... was deported with his family to Siberia in 1940. His long journey through central Asia and India ended in England, where he arrived in 1948." Another obituary of July 2009 noted that a Polish woman Walentyna M. "... spent time [during World War 2] in Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine ...". The path in this adventure movie was well trodden but probably in a much different way than portrayed. The Swedish explorer Sven Hedin and the British explorer Francis Younghusband barely survived crossing high-altitude Himalayan passes and crossing deserts with well prepared expeditions assisted by local people. Still they left scores of pack-camel bones in their wake. How did the modern day prisoners-of-war survive?

Compelling story about the escape and journey of some prisoners from Siberia to India in 1940. However, the film lacked in depth portrayal of the hostile environment of intense cold of Siberia and Himalayas, extreme dryness of the Gobi desert, hunger and lack of shelter along their way. Somehow, the clothing of the folks looked fresher and smarter as time traveled ... Oh! well, can't cover everything in the 2 hours of so.

An awesome story! The courage these travellers had and their will to survive was outstanding.

the story of a few men who escaped communism and an orphan girl who meet along the way making the hard journey by foot facing death and hunger across sibera, the gobi desert and over the himalalayas for freedom.inspired by a true story. i cant fault this film. the acting is raw and true. makes you think twice about taking things for granted...

This is the (real) story of men yearning for freedom. They escaped from one of the most oppressive regimes on the face of the Earth: communism. In the name of “the good of the community,” Russian communists established 400 gulags, where millions of people were imprisoned and died of starvation, mistreatment, and overwork. They were not given the benefit of a trial, but just sent there on the mere suspicion of having spoken against the tyrannical regime. (If you thought Czars were bad, think twice!) These men walked 4,000 miles to find freedom from oppression! A must watch especially for the younger generations, who receive no scholarly education on the evils of communism. Based on “The Long Walk,” by Slavomir Rawicz. (First published 2/4/12)

We watched the movie (because of the positve comments here) and afterwards, we read the wikipedia article for the movie, perhaps we should have done the reverse.

Supposedly based on a 4000 mile walk through deserts, snowy mountains, etc. after an escape from a gulag prison camp, but many suspect that the book it's based on isn't entirely real (it does not seem possible). The movie is well over two hours and gives the viewer the impression that the trip is endless. Perhaps just a taste of how long and arduous the trip would have been if it were real.

There are a great many "man vs nature/the elements" stories and movies. So many that you begin to feel blase about them after a while. This one has a lot to recommend it. There is the conflict between the escapees/survivors.trekkers that made "The Flight of the Phoenix" such a classic. There are the snippets of background for the characters. There are the reverses and triumphs, deaths (including one almost unfairly late in the trip) and struggle. And, there is the fact that it is based on a true story.

The Way Back is an epic escape and survival movie based on a true life story. Rather than die in a Siberian gulag camp seven prisoners escape and start a walking journey of thousands of miles. The group must live off the land and endure thirst, hunger, severe weather as well as learn to trust one another. Along the way they meet a woman escapee from a Soviet co-op farm. Given all the hardships it's certain they will not all make it to freedom. This is an excellent drama set in brutal but beautiful landscapes.