Peter Weirs prison escape drama The Way Back arrives on DVD.
Is there a decent film beneath the variable Russian accents?
To get to that point, however, our heroes first need to escape the camp.
From the second wide-eyed Janusz (Jim Sturgess) enters the camp, every conversation is about escape.
Soon enough, the film descends into a montage of breakout preparations.
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Cut to scenes of flustered guards and dirty men running through the woods.
What happened to the escape wed heard so much about?
The film is littered with these jarring moments of sloppy editing and poor storytelling.
The idea is to keep the focus purely on the people involved.
In these moments the film is at its best.
Ed Harris, in particular, is excellent.
Not that Gustaf Skarsgard, Alexandru Potocean, or Dragos Bucur are second string in terms of ability.
Bucur, in particular, carves out an endearing niche as an upbeat Pole.
Its also in this second group that we find Saoirse Ronan (Irena), the ever-impressive Irish teenager.
Now starring inHanna, her impact onThe Way Backis very much echoed in her influence on the films characters.
As the only feminine voice, she prevents what could have become drudgery from sinking into uneasy melancholy.
The escapees, in particular Mr. Smith, come to see her as a daughter.
It comes across as a little contrived, but brings some much-needed warmth at just the right time.
The Way Backis a lengthy picture, but is just about worth it.
I hate to think how long it would have been had the editing not been so brutal in patches.
It was this quandary that likely spurred what were ultimately damaging cuts.
Extras
The only additional content on disc is a collection of cast and crew interviews.
These are worth watching, although its a shame theres nothing else to while away the hours with.
Film:
The Way Backis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
3 out of 5
