The Way Back

Directed by: Peter Weir
UK release: 24 December 2010
US release: 11 January 2011 (limited)
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Mark Strong, Saoirse Ronan



IMDB page

She said:

I am not sure I was fully prepared for how epic this film was. And boy, was it epic in every sense of the word. You see James and I had originally intended to watch Burlesque but, due to the cinema being stupid, that film had been taken off a day early for some Russell Crowe film preview (The Next Three Days) . So we decided to see The Way Back, and despite being as far removed as possible from the glitz and glam of a musical I for one am really glad we saw it.

It is a talent to make a film such as this I think; a film that is so long, extreme and unforgiving without ever boring the audience. In fact this was exactly what the film needed to keep the audience gripped. There was very little music emphasising the vastness, the solitude and isolation of the group of fugitives. It's a cliche but I felt like I was on this journey with them - I even felt thirsty when they were in the desert!

My only real gripe with the film was that some parts were almost skipped over. Yes, I felt that a run time of 133 minutes was not enough. I guess it is testament to the pacing of the film that I didn't get board after the first 1000 miles. This would have made a really interesting television series, but then of course no one would take on a TV show with that big a budget... well maybe Fox, but they'd only cancel it at season 2.

Better than I was expecting and fantastically made (Oscar nomination perhaps) but not the sort of film I'd watch over and over. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}

He said
Every once in a while a film takes me completely by surprise. Helen and I have seen nearly two hundred films in the past year and a half and I can count on one hand how many completely took my breath away. I am happy to say that The Way Back is that type of film.

Director Peter Weir has been more or less absent from the public eye over the last seven years, Master and Commander was released nearly 8 years ago and the much better known Truman show was released five years before that. Weir has proven here that his ability to tell an epic story is as finely honed as ever.

While I do think that Weir deserves a Best Director Oscar nod at the very least I really don't feel that any of the actors stood out any more than their costars. The film is completely believable from start to finish but I can't think of any one moment where I thought Oscar performance. It is a compliment to all of the actors that I never struggled to believe their characters reality.

This is a film worth seeing in theatres as the setting and locations are as beautiful as they are epic, but as Helen has said above The Way Back is not a film that invokes an impulse to watch it again any time soon. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}

They said:
We both secretly hope that there will be an extended version released when this film hits DVD as there are a few portions that seem to be completely missing from the theatrical version. This is a wonderful and epic film about the journey of seven men that chose to risk dying free instead of living as prisoners. We give it [[[8 out of 10]]]

QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: WHAT 'TRUE STORY' INSPIRED FILM IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Robin Hood (Directed by Ridley Scott)

IMDB LINK
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong

He Said:
This is not a film you can go into with preconceptions. The common comparison between The Gladiator and Robin Hood is fair but not significant. (As both were directed by Ridley Scott and both starred Russel Crowe.) This film is really more of a prequel to the story of Robin Hood more than it is a story about the fabled outlaw/hero. It is a very realistic look into a fantastic fable.

A lot of critics have mentioned that Australian born Crowe took a tour of the British Isles with his accent, but to be fair his accent never distracted me from his story. I enjoyed this film I feel that it is worth watching, and I think most film goers will leave the theatre feeling their hard earned money was well spent.

One of the highest praises I have for this film is that Ridley Scott refrained from using CGI for his battle scenes and actually cast 1,000 extras for the intense battle scenes. Having a thousand people all doing what you want and managing to get the footage you want is a true talent and one that in this Computer generated 3D hype of today is sorely missing.

The only real complaint I have of this film i that for a hero that is known for his Archery skills Robin was a little too friendly with his sword. A long the same lines, I did not see one arrow split during this film, though I have to wonder if I had would I have assumed it to be a Robing Hood cop out? I half expected to see a notice at the end of the film reading "No arrows were harmed in the making of this film."

Minor complaints aside this is a well executed film and one that you will not regret watching. I enjoyed this Robin before he was the Hood tale, and I give it [[[4 out of 5]]]

She Said:

I really enjoyed this film, although there wasn't much doubt that I would; it is a film based on classic legend that never fails to disappoint. Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood through some interpretation or other whether it be Prince of Thieves or Disney's crack at it.

Although I don't think this film eclipses the success of Prince of Thieves (i.e. that one with Kevin Costner not doing a British accent) it does give the audience something a bit different from the legend. This film is much more of a prequel to the 'outlaw that takes from the rich and gives to the poor' tale, telling you how we got to that point.

This film is also placed into a wider context of the history of the time namely the vulnerability of England during King Richard's decade long crusade and the country's relationship to France. I found it quite interesting to see the classic tale from a different angle.

Unlike Costner in Prince of Thieves Russell Crowe did attempt the Nottingham accent. Like James said he does take a tour of the British Isles (and pops down under for a visit) and it begs the question: why not a British accent? But this is a minor grievance to bear and overall I have no real complaints about the film.

I wouldn't be surprised if this film was followed up with a sequel and the more widely known tales of the famous man. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}

They Said:

A well executed film with a twist on the legend of Robin Hood. We give this film {{{8 out of 10}}}