THE WAY BACKRating: PG-13 for violent content, depiction of physical hardships, a nude image and brief strong language.Running time: 2 hours, 12 minutes.
Try to ignore the “based on a true story” aspect of “The Way Back,” which is in fact based on a best-seller that most likely is a hoax.
Concentrate instead on what works in this latest film from Peter Weir – namely an epic journey to attain freedom or die trying.
In the early years of World War II, Polish soldier Janusz (“Across the Universe’s” Jim Sturgess) is tortured and denounced by the Soviet authorities, then shipped off to a Siberian work camp. There he faces an unendurable life.
Certain he’ll never survive a full winter in the gulag, Janusz assembles a group of fellow prisoners who escape.