The time setting for this film is 1941 and it is based on a novel by Slavomire Rawicz. Three men attempt to leave the Gulag in communist Russia and four other men escape with them. They find a teenage girl, Irena Zielinska living in the forest. The conditions are terrible with cold, heavy snow and they are all starving. Janusz assumes leadership for the group. Janusz is Polish, his wife was tortured to give evidence that he was against the government and this is how he came to the Gulag. Janusz spent most of his younger days outdoors. He knows how to live in the wild and find their direction by checking the bark on trees. As they move on, the snow changes to intense heat. Eventually, they don’t worry about being tracked down but the relentless physical conditions begin to wear on everyone.
This is a WWII era adventure film focusing on prison and survival in the wilderness. There is plenty of intense, disturbing imagery. Blood, sickness, starvation, death, freezing, scorching heat, lice, mosquitos and relentless pounding by the environment. There are also strong and inspiring messages related to teamwork, kindness and overcoming challenges. Violence is infrequent but there is strong swearing. Characters trade cigarettes and share vodka. There is a lot of harshness but beneath is a very good story. 5* (I really liked this movie)
133 min, Adventure directed and written by Peter Weir with Dragos Bucur, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Alexandru Potocean, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Stron, Gustaf Skarsgard, Jim Sturgess, Sebastian Urzendowsky, Zachary Baharov, Sally Brunski, Igor Gnezdilov, Dejan Anelov.
Note: 7.3 out of 10 with 107,921 reviews, 74% with 138 critics 72% with 33,795 audience scores, The Guardian 3* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, RollingStone 3 1/2* out of 5* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media, Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 14+, positive messages 3*, role models 3*, violence 3*, sex 3*, language 4*, consumerism 0*, drinking drugs & smoking 2*.
Special Note: French adventurer Cyril Delafosse-Guiramand actually did the walk described in Slavomir Rawicz’s book. He became a technical advisor for this film, he was inspired by the book and he took the walk of four thousand miles. He works in the I.T. industry but his hobby is walking. He coached the actors and he was on the set every day. A 53 thousand 820 square foot Gulag Camp was built at Nu Boyana Studio in Sofia Bulgaria. It is still there as of 2015, maintained by the studio and available for use in filming.
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